Microbiology is the study of the smallest organisms and their impacts. Micro-organisms are the oldest known and most diverse forms of life that we know about. Micro-organisms are beneficial in areas such as baking, brewing, the manufacture of dairy foods and pharmaceuticals. On the other hand, some forms of micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and archaea may cause disease and spoil our food. <br><br>Microbiologists work in hospitals, universities, medical schools, government laboratories, and almost every industry, specialising in a variety of areas, from agriculture and food, to the space industry.