The Patenting Of Microorganisms In India

Introduction

Microorganisms are tiny organisms that can only be seen under a microscope. Microorganisms are recognized as the earliest form of life, play a critical role in several ecological processes, and are fundamental to the biosphere. The microorganism contains biological material capable of self-replication or replication through the host organism. There are six major categories of microorganisms: viruses, fungi, bacteria, archaea, protozoa, and algae. Each of these groups exhibits unique structure, characteristics, and functions, making them irreplaceable to microbiologists and biotechnologists to utilize them for a wide range of research applications¹.

Scientists employ microorganisms in processes ranging from beer brewing and bread production to the large-scale manufacturing of antibiotics, aiming to achieve specific outcomes that benefit societal health and industry. Whereas yeast is essential for fermentation processes, bacteria are harnessed for