Book excerpt: The Microbiology Laboratory Manual by Pollack presents exercises and experiments on microbiology laboratory. The labs are introduced in a clear and concise manner, while maintaining a reader-friendly tone. The manual contains a variety of interactive activities and experiments that teach the basic concepts of microbiology. It also covers methods that allow the safe movement or transfer of microbial cells from one type of growth environment, classification and identification of microbes, microbial biochemistry, medical, food and environmental microbiology.