Microorganisms: Their benefits and beyond

Abstract

Most microorganisms may be associated with disease and destruction for outsiders but for us microbiologists not all microorganisms are considered “Bad Guys” and their beneficial activities by far outnumber their detrimental aspects. In this issue of Microbiology Australia, we target those microorganisms which have served mankind with their beneficial properties either as themselves such as probiotics or through their products such as antibiotics.