The Andromeda Strain is a science fiction techno-thriller novel by Michael Crichton, published in 1969. It tells the story of a deadly extraterrestrial microorganism and the team of scientists working to contain it. The novel established Crichton's reputation for combining science with suspense and was adapted into a film. Crichton is famous for Jurassic Park, Sphere, and other science-based thrillers.