Teaching the History of Microbiology and the Transformation of the Laboratory: A Study in Miniature
-
Author:
Linda S. Guthertz1
-
Received 10 November 2016 Accepted 26 January 2017 Published 21 April 2017
- ©2017 Author(s). Published by the American Society for Microbiology.
-
[open-access] This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ and https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode), which grants the public the nonexclusive right to copy, distribute, or display the published work.
- Corresponding author. Mailing address: Office of the State Laboratory Director, California Department of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Richmond, CA 94804. Phone: 510-307-8922. E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract:
This article presents a technique for bringing the history of microbiology to life in an exciting way. Eight miniature models were created, based on photographs or drawings, showing scientists at work in their labs. The models chosen represent important discoveries in microbiology, illustrating changes and advances in techniques and tools over the history of the discipline from 1600 through 2000. They serve as a novel and engaging teaching tool. While the instructor still presents the historic facts, the use of models provides the feeling of being there! They can also serve as a record for the future.
References & Citations
Supplemental Material
No supplementary material available for this content.

Article metrics loading...
Abstract:
This article presents a technique for bringing the history of microbiology to life in an exciting way. Eight miniature models were created, based on photographs or drawings, showing scientists at work in their labs. The models chosen represent important discoveries in microbiology, illustrating changes and advances in techniques and tools over the history of the discipline from 1600 through 2000. They serve as a novel and engaging teaching tool. While the instructor still presents the historic facts, the use of models provides the feeling of being there! They can also serve as a record for the future.

Full text loading...
Author and Article Information
-
Received 10 November 2016 Accepted 26 January 2017 Published 21 April 2017
- ©2017 Author(s). Published by the American Society for Microbiology.
-
[open-access] This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ and https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode), which grants the public the nonexclusive right to copy, distribute, or display the published work.
- Corresponding author. Mailing address: Office of the State Laboratory Director, California Department of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Richmond, CA 94804. Phone: 510-307-8922. E-mail: [email protected].
Figures
The Delft laboratory of Antony van Leeuwenhoek.

Click to view
FIGURE 1a
The Delft laboratory of Antony van Leeuwenhoek.
Leeuwenhoek using his microscope.

Click to view
FIGURE 1b
Leeuwenhoek using his microscope.
Rue d’Ulm laboratory of Louis Pasteur.

Click to view
FIGURE 2a
Rue d’Ulm laboratory of Louis Pasteur.
Pasteur examining his swan-neck flasks for microbial growth.

Click to view
FIGURE 2b
Pasteur examining his swan-neck flasks for microbial growth.
Dr. Emile Roux working on the development of rabies treatment using the desiccated spinal cords of rabbits.

Click to view
FIGURE 2c
Dr. Emile Roux working on the development of rabies treatment using the desiccated spinal cords of rabbits.
Laboratory of Robert Koch showing use of laboratory animals and beginnings of photomicrography.

Click to view
FIGURE 3a
Laboratory of Robert Koch showing use of laboratory animals and beginnings of photomicrography.
Laboratory of Robert Koch showing first usage of water baths, incubators, and petri dishes.

Click to view
FIGURE 3b
Laboratory of Robert Koch showing first usage of water baths, incubators, and petri dishes.
Laboratory of Rosalind Franklin showing X-ray crystallography equipment. Shows a discussion on the shape of the DNA molecule with Watson, Crick, Gosling, and Wilkins.

Click to view
FIGURE 4
Laboratory of Rosalind Franklin showing X-ray crystallography equipment. Shows a discussion on the shape of the DNA molecule with Watson, Crick, Gosling, and Wilkins.
Entrance to California Department of Public Health.

Click to view
FIGURE 5a
Entrance to California Department of Public Health.
Microbial Diseases Laboratory building.

Click to view
FIGURE 5b
Microbial Diseases Laboratory building.
Enterics Laboratory Unit.

Click to view
FIGURE 5c
Enterics Laboratory Unit.
Laboratory benchtop showing cultures and slides used in bacterial identification.

Click to view
FIGURE 5d
Laboratory benchtop showing cultures and slides used in bacterial identification.
Laboratory carts with cultures to be taken to workstations.

Click to view
FIGURE 5e
Laboratory carts with cultures to be taken to workstations.
Present-day laboratory items in miniature.

Click to view
FIGURE 6
Present-day laboratory items in miniature.