Microbes, Molecules, Maladies and Man

Abstract

Two important points have emerged from the study of molecular phylogeny: (i) unicellular organisms are the major and most diverse form of life, and (ii) eukaryotes are not of recent origin, as previously thought, but as ancient as the Bacteria and Archaea lineages, all of which have emerged from a Universal Ancestor. Although the Human Race may live in harmony, and is subject to colonization with many different prokaryotic (e.g. bacteria) and eukaryotic (e.g. fungi and parasites) organisms, this harmony is shattered from time to time when a relatively restricted number of microbial species enter our body and cause pathology - infection.