Bacterial physiology studies the structures and functions of bacteria, including classification, genetics, and symbiosis. Researchers examine enzymes, motility, and infectious diseases. Students require biology courses and specialized training. Employment prospects vary based on specialization and industry.
Bacterial physiology is the study of the structures and functions that enable bacteria to survive. This includes everything from the composition of bacterial cell walls to the enzymes they can produce to perform various internal and external functions. Researchers in this field may work in laboratory settings, researching known organisms and learning more about new bacteria. Pharmaceutical companies, environmental agencies and numerous other organizations use bacterial physiologists.
Bacteria are extremely diverse, and part of the work of bacterial physiology involves developing meaningful categories into which to divide them for classification and research purposes. For example, researchers can divide organisms into Gram positive and negative bacteria based on how they react to a Gram stain. Likewise, they can be divided into anaerobic bacteria which do not need oxygen to survive, aerobic bacteria and organisms which can switch back and forth and do not need an exclusively oxygenated or deoxygenated environment. The bacteria can also exhibit varying degrees of motility and other characteristics that can help researchers identify them.
Researchers in bacterial physiology examine bacterial genetics and how bacteria respond to evolutionary pressures. They sequence and study enzymes produced by bacteria. This includes structures necessary for cellular functions such as division and bacterial enzymes that can be released into the surrounding environment. Some of these are toxic and can play a role in bacterial contamination and infection. Some focus specifically on infectious diseases and the interactions between bacteria and other organisms.
Other researchers may explore topics such as symbiosis, where bacteria live together or with other organisms for mutual benefit. Some lichens, for example, have bacteria as symbiotic partners to provide the organism with energy so it can grow and reproduce. Other bacteria can live as parasites on other organisms and may rely on them for nutritional support. Some of these parasites provide benefits in return, such as organisms in the digestive tract that aid in digestion, while others can ignite their hosts and cause disease.
Students interested in bacterial physiology will be required to take courses in biology and undergo specific training on bacteria. Many people in this field have advanced degrees and research credits. Employment prospects are quite variable. Where a scientist wants to work can make a difference, as can their area of specialization. Researchers working on topics like using bacteria to make pharmaceuticals can make more money than people doing basic research on bacterial physiology, for example.
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