Marine microbiology: A glimpse of the strides in the Indian and the global arena

Abstract

The chapter reviews the development in marine microbiology in the national and international arena. It traces salient features from the pre-Zobell era to the mid 1990s. The studies in India have just made a beginning into the molecular approaches to understand the form and function of bacteria that are responsible for mediating the various processes in the sea. The field evolves from culture based ecology to direct quantification of these in different marine niches. Insights into some of the biotechnological potential are dwelt upon. With ecological studies throwing more light on how best this potential could be harnessed there is a hint of the metamorphosis from basic to the applied aspects.