Question

How are microorganisms useful in the field of medicine?

Answer 1

Microorganisms are useful in the field of medicine. They are used for the production of antibiotics, isolating various important products and production of vaccines.

Following are some examples -

1. Streptokinase produced by the bacterium Streptococcus and modified by genetic engineering is used as a ‘clot buster’ for removing clots from the blood vessels of patients who have undergone myocardial infaction leading to heart attack.
   
2. Cyclosporin A, that is used as an immunosuppressive agent in organ-transplant patients, is produced by the fungus Trichoderma polysporum.
3. Statins produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus have been commercialised as blood-cholesterol lowering agents. It acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cholesterol.