Summary

This current laboratory manual is based on the original manuscript written by the late Dr. Michael S Parker (1961-2003). Dr. Parker worked diligently in designing and coordinating the microbiology laboratories at University of Memphis . In this new edition, we substitute most bacteria used in the original manual with bacteria that are classified as Biosafety Level 1 organisms to improve laboratory safety. New chapters on the use of internet- and computer- assisted gene analysis are now added to provide students with hands on experience in this new area of microbiology and bioinformatics. This manual is supported, in part, by a TAF grant from the University of Memphis . The Editor also thanks Ms Leigh McFarland for her careful review and her valuable comments on this manual.