EC MICROBIOLOGY Editorial Microbial Identification and Classification-From Phenotypic Evaluations to Molecular Characterization

Since the invention of the microscope and the discovery of microorganisms in the 17th century [1], the study of microorganisms and the field of microbiology research have come a long way from the traditional observations of their phenotypic properties/characteristics. Phenotypic characteristics of interest in the characterization and identification of microbes include morphologic characteristics of both individual cells and groups of cells /colony (cell size, shape and structures), growth characteristics, cellular metabolism and biochemical characteristics [2]. Advances in the techniques used to identify microorganisms have often led to improved microbial classification in research and diagnosis [3,4].