In order to maintain the consistently high standards of laboratory practice that are required in microbiology, all staff must be suitably trained to understand what they are to do, how they are to do it and why they must do it in a prescribed way Properly trained laboratory staff are a valuable asset, whether they work in an industry, public health, research or contract testing laboratory, and they make a significant contribution to the reliability of the results obtained from microbiological examinations of samples. This book is an essential training aid and reference for all trainees in microbiology laboratories, as well as their teachers, their trainers and all those attending microbiology training courses. It provides an up-to-date, comprehensive working knowledge of all areas of basic microbiology, with particular focus and emphasis on laboratory-based practical aspects.