Virtual Microbiology Lab Home Page

with assistance from
David Brumbaugh

The Virtual Microbiology Lab

Learning objectives:
1. Understand the principles of diagnosing bacterial infections in the microbiology lab.
2. Understand the mechanisms for key diagnostic tests.
3. Know the diagnostic flow chart of specific bacterial pathogens.
4. Understand the limitations and utilities of specified tests.
5. Recognize the results of specific tests.

Here's what to do. First, just as if this were a real, as opposed to virtual lab, you should read the Lab Guide. There is information in it that explains the theory and practice behind the lab. If that isn't enough to motivate you, there will be exam questions over relevant material in the lab guide - at least for UF medical students!

After you have read through it, you should go through all four cases, recording your bacterial identifications (there will be four for each case) as well as the ultimate diagnosis of the case. There are a few questions at the end. Then submit your answers using the appropriate link at the bottom of this page (using the wrong submission link will cause you to not get credit).

The Lab Images at the sidebar was mainly designed to show students what the wet lab should have looked like (because it didn't always turn out that way!). It does make a good reference.

The Flow Chart on the sidebar should guide you through the optimum progression of tests to run as you gather results.

OK, so you've got your four cases. The first thing you would have done in real life is take a history and gather some data from the patient. This is provided with each case description below. Choose a case and then answer the questions and/or choose your tests. Note that many of the questions will be redundant between the cases because many of the organisms are present in every case to provide contrast in the results. Hopefully you'll get the right answer the second time you see the questions for these redundant organisms! Be sure and do all four cases.

You should write down the bacteria that you find in your samples from each colony on each plate to be able to make the diagnosis of disease for each case. You'll need to enter your diagnoses when you complete the lab report and questions for the lab exercise. For UF students see the highlighted text below. For other institutions there are links a little farther down the page. Be sure and click on the correct submission link, or you will not get credit for completing the exercise.

CASE 1 CASE 2 CASE 3 CASE 4

University of Florida FMI students: When you are ready to report your data and answer the questions, return to the FMI course Modules page. The lab report is listed as a quiz. Note: As explained in class, this lab and the questions can be a group assignment, so working with your colleagues does NOT constitute unauthorized help for purposes of the standard exam form that is used to submit your results. However, you must submit your own report to get credit.

Students from other institutions - Your faculty instructor should have provided a link to a report form possibly with homework questions.

Faculty from other institutions, the VML is open for access. If you would like the text of the lab report form and some suggested homework questions, please contact Paul Gulig (gulig@ufl.edu).