Microbiology has opened the gates to a better understanding of our food supplies. Microbiology is an essential science for the 21st century, and its importance will only continue to grow as we uncover more about the microbial world and how it interacts with us and other species on Earth. Microbiology research provides insights into important issues such as food security, global climate change, antibiotic resistance, public health management, and bioremediation of pollutants. By studying microbes and their environment, we can gain insight into how human activities are affecting our planet in both positive and negative ways. Microbiologists have a unique opportunity to make major contributions to our collective future by developing new tools to detect disease-causing organisms more quickly and accurately; discovering novel treatments for infectious disease.