As well as causing a familiar range of diseases in animals and plants and problems in food spoilage and deterioration of other materials, microbes are also our ‘invisible allies’. Indeed, life on Earth would not be sustainable without the benefits that many of them provide. The teaching of such an important subject as microbiology cannot be achieved effectively without enhancing the theory with ‘hands on’ experience in the laboratory. The purpose of this manual is to provide teachers and technicians with good techniques in practical microbiology to ensure that investigations proceed safely and achieve the required educational aims successfully. This manual has been written for a right-handed person.