Louis Pasteur, Alexander Fleming, Robert Koch and Edward Jenner...

Louis Pasteur, Alexander Fleming, Robert Koch and Edward Jenner made significant contributions to the study of microbiology in 18th and 19th centuries. There have been tremendous scientific advancements since Pasteur’s time during the “Golden Age of Microbiology”. However, their work was revolutionary and had broad implications for human health and ultimately, shaped historical events that followed. To appreciate the beliefs and attitudes of the era, please view the following brief clips:

• Germ Theory of Disease (Video, 1:18 mins)
• One Treatment for All (short 1 minute +Videos, 35:00 mins total)
• The First Pioneers (Video, 3:00 mins)

And for a modern day appreciation of microorganisms, please view this TED talk by Johnathan Eisen: Meet Your Microbes (Video, 14:23 mins)

After viewing the videos, answer the following questions:

• Do you think the social and cultural environments of the 18th and 19th centuries helped or hindered the study of microbiology in particular and science in general? Why?
• Do you think that microbiology and science are influenced by today’s social and cultural environments? Provide examples to support your statements.
• What obstacles might we encounter as we work to advance the study of microbiology in this day and age