microbiologytoday

vol34|may07 quarterly magazine of the society for general microbiology

– not just antibiotics

good, bad, but beautiful actinobacteria

corynebacteria – good guys and bad guys

the mycobacteria

review of uk microbial science contents

vol34(2) regular features 54 News 88 Gradline 96 Reviews 82 Meetings 90 Hot off the press 99 Addresses 84 Schoolzone 93 Going public other items 59 Micro shorts 94 Members’ reports 98 Obituary

articles 60 An introduction to the 74 Corynebacteria: actinobacteria the good guys and the bad David Hopwood guys Pathogenic, symbiotic and industrially important, Michael Bott this group of micro-organisms is diverse and The products of this genus range from useful amino acids fascinating. used as flavour-enhancing food additives to deadly toxins that help us to understand virulence. 64 Streptomyces: not just antibiotics 78 The mycobacteria Rosemary Loria, Madhumita Joshi & Matt Hutchings Simon Moll These successful pathogens, causing diseases An alternative insight into the pathogenic ability of these such as tuberculosis and leprosy, are still a usually life-saving organisms. major threat to global health.

68 Good, bad, but 100 Comment: beautiful: the weird and Review of UK microbial wonderful actinobacteria science Paul Hoskisson Charles Dorman Morphologically complex, challenging and Microbiology plays a pivotal role in the scientific and rewarding; we have barely scratched the surface economic life of the UK. Greater interaction between when it comes to the Jekyll and Hyde microbes. funders may strengthen this position in the future.

Cover image False colour image of GFP-tagged Streptomyces turgidiscabies colonizing seedling root hair cells. Simon Moll & Kent Loeffler The views expressed

Editor Dr Matt Hutchings––Editorial Board Dr Sue Assinder, Professor Iain Hagan, Professor Bert Rima––Managing Editor Janet Hurst––Assistant Editor Lucy Goodchild by contributors are not Design & Production Ian Atherton––Contributions are always welcome and should be addressed to the Editor c/o SGM Headquarters, Marlborough House, necessarily those of the Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Reading RG7 1AG–Tel. 0118 988 1809–Fax 0118 988 5656–email [email protected]–web www.sgm.ac.uk–– Society; nor can the Advertising David Lancaster, McMillan-Scott PLC, London Office, 10 Savoy Street, London WC2E 7HR–t 0207 878 2316–f 0207 379 7118–e [email protected]–– Regular feature images pp. 55 SGM; 82, 85, 97 Comstock / Jupiter Images; 89, 91 Stockbyte; 99 Digital Vision/Getty claims of advertisers © 2007 The Society for General Microbiology––ISSN 1464-0570––Printed by Latimer Trend & Company Ltd, Plymouth, UK be guaranteed. news

Promoting microbiology JGV back SGM Council The longest biological A poster with a difference archive now February Meeting Highlights experiment on record? We have produced a colourful and striking poster to raise the profile of microbiology. It online! Member Dr Richard Lawes and Henry Gilbert European virology on Lawes estate, now the contains high quality images of a range of micro-organisms and some descriptive text, plus The entire back content Jackson much enjoyed Council agreed to proposals to support both the European site of Rothamsted. The the relevant contact details to obtain further information from the SGM. The poster will of JGV, from volume 1 Dr Jean Lindenmann’s Society for Clinical Virology and the European Virology most famous of these field liven up your lab wall, but is also intended for distribution to schools and colleges. issue 1 (January 1967), is contribution to the February Forum in their activities. experiments is Broadbalk, a now available free online issue of Microbiology Today Careers matters field that was divided into at HighWire at http://vir. on the serial passaging of SGM Prize Lectures strips that receive either Our factsheets to promote microbiology degree courses sgmjournals.org the rabies virus in Saigon and careers after graduation have been updated and printed Council discussed some proposed revisions of the SGM from 1891 to 1953. In no or differing fertilizer in a new format. The first set, aimed at school students, is The project involved Prize Lecture rules. They decided that self-nominations will suggesting that this must treatments. This experiment called Studying Microbiology and includes three leaflets: scanning a total of 73,378 no longer be permitted and that some existing restrictions be one of the longest was started in 1843 and is (1) Applying to university; (2) First degree courses in pages and constructing on eligibility for the Fleming Prize lecture will be removed. biological experiments on still continuing with only a microbiology & biotechnology; and (3) Vacation work. full text PDFs for 8,716 Details of the revised rules are available on the SGM record, he feels sure that few changes during its 164 The second set describes various career paths for graduates. articles. This fills the gap website. Nominations for the 2008 SGM Prize Lectures Dr Lindenmann will have years. Regular assessments Under the heading Microbiology Careers, it features (1) to January 1997, when are now invited (see p. 58). expected, and perhaps are made of such parameters Options after graduation; (2) Postdoctoral research; (3) ‘regular’ online content hoped, that the claim as crop yield, soil chemistry SGM journals The healthcare sector; (4) Moving out of the laboratory; (5) begins. Full text searching would be challenged. and microbiology. I look Writing CVs and covering letters; (6) Job interviews; and is available from the entire Council was informed of developments in scientific forward to hearing of other ‘Since I worked for 10 (7) Postdoc and beyond – aiming for a lectureship. archive. Work continues on journal publishing which it continues to monitor carefully, experiments that have years of my career as a soil mounting the back archives in particular with regard to the issue of ‘open access’. continued for more than 100 All of the factsheets are packed with useful practical microbiologist at Rothamsted of Microbiology, Journal of years.’ information and lists of further resources. You can see them Medical Microbiology and SGM finances Experimental Station, I online at www.biocareers.org.uk immediately thought of the Can any reader rise to this International Journal of Council members heard that the audit of the SGM 2006 classical field experiments challenge? If so, email Copies of these resources are available from the External Systematic and Evolutionary accounts had successfully taken place. The financial situation which were initiated by John [email protected] Relations Office. Email [email protected] Microbiology. of the Society at the end of the year was healthy. FIS Conference 2006 Federation of Infection Annual SGM’s charitable status SGM provided the organizing secretariat for the 2006 Conference of the Federation of Infection Societies (FIS), at Societies (FIS) Conference 2007 The Society has enjoyed the benefits of charitable status since the 1950s, through General the request of the British Infection Society. The conference registration with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Historically, there was 28–30 November 2007, Cardiff City Hall Meeting took place in Cardiff in November 2006, was well attended no Scottish equivalent of the Charity Commission: charitable status north of the border and very successful. In 2007 SGM will again provide the 2007 was approved by the Inland Revenue. Recently, however, with the advent of the Scottish organizing secretariat for the FIS conference as well as The AGM of the Society Parliament and Executive, moves have been made to introduce a regulatory regime broadly acting as the host scientific society. will be held on Tuesday, similar to that in England and Wales, and in December 2003 the Office of the Scottish 4 September 2007 at Charity Regulator (OSCR) was formally launched. Since then it has been moving forward Meetings the Society Meeting at the process of registering Scottish charities. The Scientific Meetings Officer noted that the working party the University of Edinburgh. Most charities registered in England and Wales are able to have a certain level of activities to review the SGM meetings and group structure would be Agenda papers, including in Scotland without the need for registration there. However, the advice received was that meeting at the end of February to start its deliberations. It is reports from Officers the scale of SGM’s meetings in Scotland – not least because Edinburgh is a very popular hoped to make recommendations for any changes to June and Group Conveners, venue for our events – indicated that registration was required. Accordingly, an application Council. the Accounts of the This year the SGM is hosting and organizing the FIS was made to OSCR, giving full details of the Society’s objectives, activities and finances. Society for 2006 and annual meeting. The event provides a forum for clinical The application has been approved, subject to a minor amendment to one of the Society’s MP to visit to Marlborough House a Resolution to amend microbiologists and other professionals working on governing documents, the Memorandum of Association. This needs to include an additional Sue Assinder informed Council that the shadow Minister the Memorandum of infectious diseases. The varied programme includes plenary clause, to the effect that the Society’s charitable purpose is regarded as charitable both in for Energy, Science and Technology, Charles Hendry MP, Association will be sessions, workshops, clinical lessons, case studies, prize the law of England and Wales, and the law of Scotland. A special resolution to this effect will visit the SGM offices at Marlborough House in April to circulated with the August lectures, poster walks, social events and a trade exhibition. will be put to the Annual General Meeting on 4 September – appropriately in Edinburgh. learn more about the Society’s work. issue of Microbiology You can find information on the programme, abstract Today. Ron Fraser, Executive Secretary Ulrich Desselberger, General Secretary submission and registration at www.fis2007.org.uk

54 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 55 News of Staff news Royal Society Summer Grants SGM has a wide range of grant schemes to support Members Congratulations to Public Exhibition 2007 New in 2007 microbiology. See www.sgm.ac.uk for details. Affairs Administrator Education Officer Dr Sue www.royalsociety.org Scientific Meetings Travel Grants Any enquiries should be made to the Grants Office, Faye Stokes, who gave Assinder has taken over The Department of Food Bioscience at the University of SGM, Marlborough House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers birth to baby Edward on This scheme offers members who are early-career scientists as chair of the BioSciences Reading has been selected to exhibit at this year’s event. Wood, Reading RG7 1AG (t 0118 988 1821; f 0118 22 March. He weighed in limited grants to present their work at scientific meetings. Federation Education From 2 to 5 July, Professor Bob Rastall, who is also 988 5656; e [email protected]). at a bouncing 8 lbs 12 oz. Applicants in the following categories are eligible to apply: Committee. convener of the SGM’s Food & Beverages Group, and his Mum and baby are doing postgraduate students, resident and registered for a higher Check out the current schemes, to ensure that you team will be mounting an interactive display entitled A Edinburgh University well. degree in a country in the EU; postdoctoral scientists within don’t miss any deadlines. has appointed Professor microbial journey through the gut. The Summer Exhibition 3 years of their first appointment in a country in the EU, Dorothy Crawford as Welcome to Faye’s is open to the public and takes place at the Royal Society’s graduate scientists within 3 years of their first appointment Assistant Principal for the maternity cover, Lucy premises in Carlton Place Terrace. to a microbiological post in the UK or Republic of Ireland; Goodchild, who is taking Public Understanding university lecturers (LA or equivalent) within 3 years of Student schemes of Medicine. Professor on the role of external appointment to their first post in the UK or Republic of Crawford, who has a chair relations assistant. Reconciling microbial Ireland. Postgraduate Student Meeting Grants in medical microbiology, systematics and genomics Grants cover travel and accommodation expenses for International schemes has written a popular book www.asm.org/Academy/index.asp?bid=49252 attendance at one SGM meeting each year. on viruses, The Invisible International Development Fund A new report has been released by the American Academy Applications for a grant to attend the Edinburgh meeting Enemy, and has another of Microbiology, focusing on how our understanding of The fund exists to provide training courses, publications and (3–6 September) must be submitted by 31 August. book in the pipeline Deadly the relationships between different micro-organisms has other assistance to microbiologists in developing countries. Companions – How Microbes GRADschool Grants been fundamentally changed by the advent of genomic President’s Fund for Research Visits Shaped Our History. In Limited awards to contribute the full course-fees of a UK sequencing and genetic analysis. The report considers what The fund enables early career scientists, as defined in the her new role, she will GRAD national (personal or career development) residential exactly is the definition of a microbial species, and how scheme rules, to visit any other country for 1–3 months to explain the relevance of course. should microbiologists be categorizing micro-organisms? carry out a defined piece of microbiological research. Grants cutting edge findings at the contribute towards travel, subsistence and some consumables. Applicants must be resident and registered for a PhD in the university to the public. UK. Funds are limited so early application is advised. Professor Crawford will also UK State Veterinary Service The Watanabe Book Fund continue her own research Elective grants www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth Members who are permanently resident in a developing career. country may apply for funding to acquire microbiology These enable UK/Ireland medical, dental or veterinary The State Veterinary Service (SVS), an executive agency books for their libraries. These annual awards are available science undergraduates to work on microbiological research The Society notes of Defra with a central role in preventing, identifying and as a result of a generous donation from Professor T. projects in their elective periods. with regret the death of responding to animal disease in the UK, changed its name Lucy is a graduate in Watanabe of Japan. Professor Simon Baumberg to Animal Health on 1 April. The move brings together the The second round of applications closes on 21 September genetics and microbiology (honorary member), SVS, the Dairy Hygiene and Egg Marketing Inspectorates, Closing date for these schemes: 21 September 2007. 2007. from the University of Professor L.I. Pizer and the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service. (member since 1984), Dr Leeds, but she has also J.O. Tobin (member since recently successfully Wellcome Trust Arts Awards 1948) and Dr A.H. Varnam completed a master’s 2007 ISICR Meeting, Oxford www.wellcome.ac.uk/arts degree at Imperial College (member since 1977). 15–19 September 2007; www.iscir.org London in the History of These awards provide funding for Large projects (>£30k). An obituary of Dr Tom Science, Technology and Many SGM members will know that 2007 marks the 50th projects that bring together any art form To fund production costs for large- Flewett, who died last Medicine. She will be anniversary of the discovery of interferon by Isaacs and and any area of biomedical science. scale arts projects, and to support high- year, appears on p. 98. helping out with a range Lindenmann at the NIMR, London. To help celebrate that Collaboration is encouraged between quality, multi-audience, multi-outcome An obituary of Professor of activities, as well as occasion the 2007 meeting of the International Society professionals from different disciplines, projects. Simon Baumberg will dealing with public affairs for Interferon and Cytokine Research will be held on between adults and young people and The awards are part of the Wellcome appear in a future issue administration. Many 16–19 September in Oxford. The main ISICR meeting between experts and the public. There Trust’s Engaging Science programme of Microbiology Today. members will have met will be preceded by a special Historical Pre-Meeting on are two levels of funding: which funds projects that investigate Lucy at the Manchester 15 September when some of the interferon pioneers will Small–medium projects (up to £30k) biomedical science and its social meeting in March, which review the early days of these fascinating cytokines. To develop new project ideas, small contexts. she helped to staff only a Microbiology Today readers should note that to mark this productions or workshops and new Examples of previous projects funded few days after joining the anniversary, cytokines will feature as the theme of the collaborative relationships between by this scheme can be found on the SGM. November issue of the magazine. artists and scientists. Wellcome website.

56 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 57 microshorts

Prize Lectures and Awards Lucy Goodchild takes a look at some stories A range of prestigious awards is made by the Society in recognition of distinguished contributions to microbiology. Nominations are now sought for the 2008 prize that have hit the headlines recently. lectures. The award panel will consider the submissions in the autumn and take their recommendations to November Council for approval. The outcome will be announced in Cooksey Review Billions may be affected by the February 2008 issue of Microbiology Today. Prize lecture rules and a nomination form The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee are on the SGM website: www.sgm.ac.uk/about/prize_lectures.cfm recently published a report in favour of the majority of Sir David wheat Fleming Award Cooksey’s recommendations. The Cooksey Review identifies many Wheat, the most used food on the Middle East and finally to strengths of the current research system, pointing out that the UK the planet, is in danger of being India, where a billion people This is awarded annually for outstanding research in any branch of microbiology by a young produces excellent ‘basic science’, which attracts substantial R&D devastated by a fungus that are dependent on wheat in microbiologist in the early stages of his/her career. The winner receives £1,000 and gives investment. However, two areas for improvement are suggested: was stockpiled as a biological their diets. Scientists estimate a lecture based on his/her work to a Society meeting. The text is usually published in a translation (from research idea to product) and implementation weapon during the cold war. the replacement of crops with Society journal. (of resulting products). Ultimately, the report outlines the way in Ug99, a virulent strain of resistant wheat will take 5–8 which collaborations should be secured to raise the profile of UK Puccinia graminis or black stem years. Norman Borlaug, who Marjory Stephenson Prize Lecture health research. Focus is on increasing inter-industry contact and rust fungus, has evolved so was awarded the Nobel Peace This is the Society’s principal prize, awarded biennially for an outstanding contribution of decreasing development costs. The Committee was concerned that no crops are resistant. The Prize in 1970 for developing current importance in microbiology. The winner receives £1,000 and gives a lecture on that allied health research sectors could be overlooked in the new fungus spread across Africa and resistant wheat, blames his/her work at a Society meeting. The lecture is usually published in a Society journal. schemes and that, as a result, sectors such as preventive and public the hardy spores were blown to complacency after 40 years of health research would suffer. Their main warning was reserved for Yemen in January. It is expected rust-free crops for the outbreak. Peter Wildy Prize for Microbiology Education funding, suggesting that basic research should not be ignored. now to spread to Egypt, Turkey, New Scientist, 7 April 2007, pp. 6–7 Thinkstock/Jupiter Images This is awarded annually for an outstanding contribution to any area of microbiology www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/56F/62/pbr06_cooksey_final_report_636.pdf education. The winner receives £1,000 and gives a lecture on a topic of his/her choice at a www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/204/204.pdf Society meeting. Gonorrhoea Hepatitis C in Completed nomination forms, together with the supporting documents, should be sent to Bird ‘flu dominates the news increasingly the spotlight Dr Ulrich Desselberger, c/o SGM HQ. The closing date for all nominations is 30 September PR Week reported that 19 % PR Week’s Health Watch has 2007. resistant to of all immunology coverage revealed that immunology was owing to Dame Anita Undergraduate Microbiology Prizes was the most popular subject antibiotics Roddick’s announcement that for journalists in January and The Gonococcal Resistance The prizes aim to encourage excellence in the study she has Hepatitis C. The virus February 2007. Almost 49 % to Antimicrobials Surveillance of microbiology by undergraduate students and to is carried in the blood and of the reports were part of the Programme (GRASP) has promote scholarship in, and awareness of, microbiology the six different forms resist blanket coverage of the avian revealed that resistance to propagation in the laboratory, in universities. The prizes are awarded annually to the influenza outbreak at a Norfolk antibiotics is rising. Figures making the development of a undergraduate student in each qualifying institution who poultry plant, which included released by the UK HPA in vaccine very difficult. Despite performs best in microbiology in their penultimate year TV images of quarantined and October 2006 show a marked this, Japanese researchers have of study for a Bachelor’s degree. Each winning student slaughtered turkeys. Questions increase in prevalence of the isolated a strain that grows will be awarded £100, a certificate and a free one-year were raised over biosecurity at second most common bacterial successfully in liver cell lines, undergraduate membership of the SGM. the plant and the company’s STI. Resistance to ciprofloxacin which will pave the way to the honesty about the transfer of increased from 14 % in 2004 to development of a vaccine. New One prize is available to each university in the UK and poultry. Hill & Knowlton, the 21.7 % in 2005, and penicillin diagnoses of Hepatitis C have Republic of Ireland offering a degree course with a PR company responsible for from 11.4 to 17.9 %. Incidence risen from 2,116 in 1996 to significant content of microbiology. The university chooses handling the crisis, relayed the was highest in homosexual 7,580 in 2005, according to the assessed microbiological work for which the prize is message that products were males, rising from 26.2 to HPA figures (December 2006). awarded. The submission should be supported by formal safe to eat by communicating 42.4 %. The findings reinforce The biggest problem is the scale marks, not an informal assessment. Winning students with consumers, retailers, the need to use condoms and of under-diagnosis: in 2003 an should have attained at least 2(I) overall in their degree politicians and the media. Over- to treat the infection with estimated 231,000 people were examinations at the stage at which the award is made. communication, they say, is more effective antibiotics such infected. FaCe It, the Hepatitis key. Less than 3 weeks after the as ceftriaxone or cefixime. C Awareness Campaign, aims to Universities are now invited to nominate a student for a 2007 SGM Undergraduate m James Dewar receiving a outbreak was first suspected, Doctors are urged to forward deal with the rising number of Microbiology Prize. Submissions can only be accepted on the form which has been sent to 2006 SGM Undergrdauate Prize from Dr Alan Wheals. 130 redundancies were samples for resistance testing if UK cases. all institutions. The full rules and further copies of the form may be downloaded from the He also won a poster prize for announced at the plant, due infection persists. PR Week, 23 March 2007, p. 10 SGM website or obtained from the Grants Office at Marlborough House. The closing date his work at the HPA Porton to a 40 % crash in turkey sales. Health Protection Matters, Spring 2007, Health Protection Matters, Spring 2007, Down. Chris Davey for nominations is 31 August 2007. PR Week 30 March 2007, p. 27 Photo.com/Jupiter Images p. 25 p. 32.

58 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 59 early all microbiologists know the name compared with the low-G+C staphylococci, streptococci Streptomyces, but fewer will recognize and bacilli, but are no more closely related to the eukaryotic Actinobacteria, the group to which it fungi than any other bacterial group. belongs and which is showcased in this Members of the genus Streptomyces remained an obscure issue of Microbiology Today. Identified family of soil-living microbes through the 1920s and 1930s. An from the 1870s onwards, these organisms Interest in them was kept alive largely by Selman Waksman Nconfused their discoverers by sharing characteristics of both at Rutgers University in New Jersey, who isolated them in and fungi: they grew like moulds as filaments, or at their hundreds (Figs 1 & 2) and studied them as members least as wavy, occasionally branching rods, but had the tiny of the varied community of microbes that recycle plant introduction dimensions of bacteria. Naming of the first to be described, and animal debris into humus. Then, in 1939, stung by Actinomyces bovis from cases of lumpy jaw in cattle, laid a the discovery of the first medically important antibacterial false trail (Actinomyces means ‘ray fungus’) while the next drugs – gramicidin from a Bacillus and, especially, the fungal two examples, causing leprosy and tuberculosis, came to be product penicillin – he switched his laboratory overnight to called Mycobacterium (‘fungus bacterium’). Only in the late a search for other life-saving antibiotics. His group was soon to the 1950s was the true position of the actinomycetes revealed rewarded by finding thatStreptomyces species are the most by molecular and genetic studies. They are true prokaryotes, prolific antibiotic producers, with becoming, forming a distinct branch of the Gram-positive bacteria by 1946, the first effective cure for tuberculosis. There follow- characterized by a high content of G and C in their DNA ed two decades of fruitful searching, mainly by commercial actinobacteria companies, which revealed a gamut of From plant important antibacterial, antifungal, anti- parasitic and anticancer compounds pathogen to life- (secondary metabolites) from Strepto- myces species and organisms split off in- saving antibiotic to new genera such as Saccharopolyspora and Amycolatopsis (Fig. 3 and Table 1). By the mid-1960s the rate of discov- producer, members ery of useful compounds – especially antibacterials – declined sharply and of the Actinobacteria by the 1980s large pharmaceutical companies concluded that all the good natural compounds had been found. are as fascinating as They switched their efforts back to the synthetic chemistry that had they are diverse, as dominated the industry before the anti- biotics era, spurred on by the invention of robotic or ‘combinatorial’ chemistry. David Hopwood This technique churned out huge numbers of compounds, but almost describes. without exception they did not prove ‘drugable’: they lacked the features, often depending on precise stereochemistry, with some success, with anticancer number in the bacteria Escherichia essential for interaction with biological and immunosuppressant candidates in coli and Bacillus subtilis, and one-third targets. But in an exciting alternative clinical trials. more than in the yeast Saccharomyces approach, small biotech start-ups ex- Meanwhile, at the turn of the mil- cerevisiae – 20–30 clusters of genes b Fig. 1. A Streptomyces coelicolor culture ploited the newly developed ability lennium, Streptomyces genetics took a that would specify secondary metabol- making the blue antibiotic actinorhodin. to clone and manipulate the clusters quantum leap with the sequencing of ites with novel structures were pre-

c Fig. 2. A group of Streptomyces strains of actinomycete genes that specify the of two species, the acad- dicted. Most of them were unexpected freshly isolated from soil. complex natural products, especially emic model Streptomyces coelicolor from prior screening tests, and nearly of the polyketide class that includes a and the avermectin producer Strepto- all were different between the two Images reproduced from Hopwood, D.A. disproportionate number of important myces avermitilis. Amongst the large species. This finding tells us that (2007), Streptomyces in Nature and Medicine: the Antibiotic Makers with compounds. This ability to ‘do medi- gene complements of these organ- many potentially useful compounds permission from Oxford University Press. cinal chemistry by genetics’ is meeting isms – nearly 8,000 genes, twice the are missed during routine screening but

60 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 61 T62 130x180 advert 24/4/07 12:43 pm Page 1

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Our exceptional speaker panel includes: • Dr Bernardo Perez-Ramirez, Scientific Director, Bio-Formulations b Fig. 3. Discovery of useful secondary metabolites. Compounds in blue are • Dr Niels C Kaarsholm, Corporate Vice President, Protein Development, Genzyme from fungi and those in magenta from Engineering, Diabetes Research, Novo Nordisk • Dr Hans De Haard, Senior Director, Technology and Discovery, non-actinomycete bacteria; all the other compounds are made by actinomycetes. • Dr Thomas Bumol, Vice President, Biotechnology Discovery Ablynx Reproduced from Hopwood, D.A. (2007), Research and Applied Molecular Evolution, Eli Lilly • Dr Joey M Studts, Principal Scientist and Head, Protein Resources, Streptomyces in Nature and Medicine: the • Dr Robert Wynands, Director, Structural Biology, Takeda Antibiotic Makers with permission from Boehringer-Ingelheim Oxford University Press. • Dr Zhijian Lu, Assistant Director, Biotherapeutics Expression and Purification, Wyeth PLUS AN ASSOCIATED HALF-DAY EXECUTIVE BRIEFING: might be found if ‘silent’ gene clusters could be expressed. On causes scab disease of potatoes (as Rosemary Loria describes • Dr Niek Dekker, Associate Director, Protein Engineering, Global Decreasing time to protein for Assay Structural Chemistry, AstraZeneca this hypothesis the decline in the discovery rate seen in Fig. on p. 64). These diseases though are probably the exception Development to Structural Research 3 may reflect limitations of screening rather than exhaustion rather than the rule for actinomycete interactions with higher • Dr Cory R Brouwer, Associate Director, Knowledge Management 5th June 2007, Central London Informatics, Pfizer of Nature’s potential to make interesting compounds. organisms: symbiosis may be more typical. Members of the In association with: Boehringer-Ingelheim If this newly predicted source of novel drugs is to be genus Pseudonocardia interact symbiotically with female leaf- exploited, we need a much deeper understanding of the cutting ants to protect their fungal food gardens from maraud- For more information, please visit our website at: regulation of secondary metabolite production in response ing moulds, and there are increasing numbers of reports to environmental signals. The gene clusters that remain of actinomycetes inhabiting not only the roots but also the www.smi-online.co.uk/globalprotein4.asp unexpressed during standard laboratory screening are surely aerial parts of plants where they probably protect the host If you wish to register contact Andrew Hinton on tel: +44 (0)20 7827 6722 adaptive to the organisms under specialized conditions in the from fungal attack. Five genera accommodated the actino- or email: [email protected] soil, or in response to competition by other soil inhabitants. mycetes in Waksman’s day, but now there are at least 150, GROUP DISCOUNT AVAILABLE There are several recent examples where individual pathways representing a huge range of structural and physiological have been activated by changing the screening conditions, types, as Paul Hoskisson relates on p. 68. Nor is antibiotic but the current challenge is to find generic ways of awakening production the only industrially important actinomycete sleeping genes; no company can justify spending years trying activity. As described by Michael Bott on p. 74, members to understand a single strain. Amongst the myriad regulatory of the genus Corynebacterium underpin a huge fermentation genes predicted in the Streptomyces sequences, industry dedicated to amino acid production, representing Media fills there are some indications of ‘master’ switches of secondary one of the finest examples of rational strain improvement in metabolism, so this is certainly not a forlorn hope. applied microbiology. Both from this practical point of view and as part of our Our knowledge of the Actinobacteria has expanded beyond desire as microbiologists to reveal all aspects of microbial recognition since the 1870s, as I describe in my recent book needn’t be a trial life, we need to gain more insights into the ecology of these (reviewed on p. 96), but much more needs to be done and is fascinating organisms and how they interact with plants and now within our grasp in the era of functional genomics and Ready-made, quality assured, animals. Two articles in this issue describe actinomycetes as systems biology. Hopefully, this issue of Microbiology Today Oxoid Cold Filterable Tryptone Soya Broth in pathogens. The deadly Mycobacterium tuberculosis kills more will help to bring the Actinobacteria to the attention of some BioProcess Container systems that simply plug than 2 million people annually and infects, at some time in bright young microbiologists who might decide to devote into your processing lines. our lives, one-third of the human race, often leaving the their careers to them as I have done. pathogen in a dormant state that can flare up into TB decades later – see the article by Matt Hutchings on p. 78. How is Sir David Hopwood, FRS Find out more from your local Oxoid representative, this intimate relationship between bacterium and eukary- John Innes Centre, Norwich, Research Park, Colney, email [email protected] or otic host regulated? As a plant pathogen, Streptomyces scabies Norwich NR4 7UH, UK (e [email protected]) contact us at the address shown below.

Table 1. Some important actinomycete products

Compound Biochemical target Application Tetracycline Bacterial ribosomes Respiratory tract infections DEDICATED TO MICROBIOLOGY Erythromycin Bacterial ribosomes Respiratory tract infections; Legionella www.oxoid.com Vancomycin Bacterial Resistant pathogens like MRSA Oxoid, Wade Road, Basingstoke, Rifamycin Bacterial RNA polymerase Tuberculosis, leprosy Hants RG24 8PW, UK Amphotericin Fungal membranes Human fungal infections Tel: +44 (0) 1256 841144 Fax: +44 (0) 1256 329728 Adriamycin (doxorubicin) DNA replication Cancer Email: [email protected] Avermectin Nervous conduction Animal parasites (nematodes, warble fly); river blindness in Africa Rapamycin Immune system Organ transplantation

62 microbiology today may 07 c scab, an aptly named disease, occurs in most potato production regions of the world and is economically important in many. Infection of the rapidly expanding cells at the apical growing point by S. scabies and other pathogenic species cause these symptoms. Madhumita Joshi c Opposite page. Members of the genus Streptomyces are filamentous, producing spore chains from aerial hyphae, reminiscent of fungi. The image shows S. scabies spore chains, displaying a typical corkscrew morphology. Rosemary Loria

. Opposite page. Thaxtomin A. Synthesis is via a non- ribosomal peptide synthase and nitration of the tryptophan moiety involves a nitric oxide synthase. All scab- causing plant-pathogenic streptomycetes produce this toxin. Rosemary Loria Streptomyces: not just antibiotics Streptomyces e often hear scientists extol the virtues was initially misidentified as a fungus described from the potato-producing oxide synthase. microfibrils of Streptomyces, and indeed this genus is in the late 1800s, an error that per- areas on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. are extruded from cellulose synthase a powerhouse of secondary metabolism, sisted in some This pathogen produced erumpent complexes embedded in the plant cell species are not all producing antibiotics, antitumour drugs, textbooks into the 1980s. Because of lesions, and was named Streptomyces membrane. These fibrils wrap around and other invaluable molecules. However, its economic importance, S. scabies has turgidiscabies. Subsequently, reports the cell in a defined pattern that beneficial, according there is a dark side to these organisms – been the subject of research on host of new scab-causing streptomycetes dictates the shape of the cell and limits Wsome of them cause disease. Potato scab is a classic example range, population dynamics, infection became relatively common; today there its expansion. Thaxtomin inhibits cellu- of an economically important plant disease incited by Strepto- mechanisms and disease resistance for are more than a dozen described plant- lose synthesis through an unknown to Rosemary Loria myces scabies. Though not as famous a disease as late blight, more than a 150 years. Breakthroughs pathogenic Streptomyces species and mechanism, thereby compromising cell potato scab is the bane of potato growers on several continents. in potato scab control have evaded sci- probably many more uncharacterized wall integrity and permitting isotrophic Madhumita Joshi These filamentous bacterial pathogens can penetrate expand- entists over the decades and this effort species. swelling of the cell. Streptomyces are ing plant cells, including potato tubers, producing raised has been complicated by the emergence unique among plant pathogens in their and Simon Moll. or pitted scab-like lesions. The potato crop is propagated of new pathogenic species in many Thaxtomin biosynthesis – ability to structurally compromise plant vegetatively and seed tubers are shipped around the globe, potato production areas. leveraging secondary cell walls through inhibition of cellu- allowing this soil-borne bacterium a free ride to new pro- In the 1940s, after formaldehyde seed metabolism lose production. However, by doing so Many cause diseases duction areas. Pathogenic species retain the excellent sapro- treatments were banned in the USA, a In targeting living plants as a nutrient phytic ability that is characteristic of this genus, and are new potato scab pathogen emerged in source, Streptomyces species have used which can ravage therefore impossible to eradicate once they are introduced the north-eastern part of the country. their strengths in secondary metabolism into cultivated soils. The pathogen was named Streptomyces to develop a novel cellulose biosynthesis food crops. acidiscabies, for its ability to produce inhibitor. Thaxtomin, a dipeptide, is Emergent pathogens disease in low pH soils – soil with a pH one of only a few nitrated natural The best known and most widely distributed of plant- below 5.2 suppresses S. scabies. In the products and is the lone biosynthetic pathogenic streptomycetes is S. scabies. This actinomycete 1990s, yet another scab pathogen was pathway known to contain a nitric

64 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 65 they probably facilitate their penetration explaining the lack of highly resistant be involved in plant pathogenicity; streptomycete pathogens The fas genes constitute an unusual cytokinin biosynthetic of plant cells; most bacterial pathogens potato cultivars, despite more than half Streptomycetes have multiple virulence strategies, as do other microbial pathway that allows S. turgidiscabies to produce leafy galls are confined to the space between plant a century of breeding effort. pathogens. at the apical meristems of plants, identical to galls caused cells, because of their inability to pene- are a powerhouse The DNA sequences of the thaxtomin biosynthetic genes by Rhodococcus fascians. The fas genes are not essential for trate the rigid cell wall. Pathogenicity island and other virulence genes on the PAI have been used to pathogenicity in S. turgidiscabies, but they probably enhance We think of S. scabies and the other All scab-causing streptomycetes pro- of secondary develop probes specific to pathogens. Since multiple patho- reproduction of this pathogen on potato tubers. potato scab pathogens as specialists in duce thaxtomin, while closely related genic species exist in infested fields, species-specific DNA infection of potato tubers and expanded non-pathogenic species do not. How metabolism, probes are not useful. These probes can be used to detect Genomic age tap root crops, such as beet and radish. did these newly emergent pathogens and quantify pathogenic streptomycete populations, in the Plant-pathogenic streptomycetes have followed their anti- However, these pathogens can cause acquire the novel thaxtomin biosyn- presence of the hundreds of non-pathogens present in soil biotic-producing cousins into the genomic age. The 10 Mb disease in essentially any underground thetic pathway? Molecular genetic producing and on plant surfaces. When combined with extraction genome sequence of S. scabies has been sequenced at the plant part, though penetration must analysis has yielded evidence for a methods that allow recovery of high quality DNA from soil, Sanger Institute and is available at www.sanger.ac.uk/ occur through expanding cells in DNA fragment that is mobilized from antibiotics and these very sensitive techniques can estimate the popula- Projects/S_scabies/. More plant pathogens are in the which the primary cell wall is still a donor, during streptomycete mating, tion densities of pathogenic populations in soil, allowing sequencing pipeline elsewhere. Genome-wide analysis will forming. For example, they can and site-specifically inserted into the antitumour drugs growers to make informed disease management decisions. undoubtedly reveal additional facets of these organisms that colonize the apical regions of roots of recipient’s chromosome. This fragment, This is a large step forward in our efforts to develop practical allow them to manipulate eukaryotic cells for their own gain. both monocot and dicot plants. The about 660 kb in size, contains a disease control recommendations for growers. For example, all pathogens must be able to suppress host reason for this tissue-specific, but not pathogenicity island (PAI) – a cluster … however, there The PAI is conserved in all scab-causing pathogens, but it is defences – do streptomycetes use mechanisms similar to host-specific, behaviour is thaxtomin. of genes responsible for the pathogenic clearly still under evolutionary pressure. The S. turgidiscabies those employed by other pathogens, or have they devised This phytotoxin apparently interacts phenotype, including those required for is a dark side to PAI has acquired a set of genes, called the fas operon, which are a novel strategy? There is much we can learn about the with highly conserved components of thaxtomin biosynthesis. Other genes involved in disease development in the closely related genus strategies and evolution of these streptomycetes from their the cellulose synthesis mechanisms, on the PAI are known, or implicated, to these organisms. Rhodococcus; these genes are absent in other streptomycetes. genome sequences.

(a) (b) Rosemary Loria, Madhumita Joshi & Simon Moll Department of Plant Pathology, 334 Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853, USA (t +1 607 255 3245; e [email protected])

Further reading Kers, J.A., Cameron, K.D., Joshi, M.V. & others (2005). A large, mobile pathogenicity island confers plant pathogenicity on Streptomyces species. Mol Microbiol 55, 1025–1033. Kers, J.A., Wach, M.J., Krasnoff, S.B. & others (2004). A bacterial nitric oxide synthase functions to nitrate a peptide phytotoxin. Nature 429, 79–82. Scheible, W.-R., Fry, B., Kochevenko, A. & others (2003). An Arabidopsis mutant resistant to thaxtomin A, a cellulose synthesis inhibitor from Streptomyces species. Plant Cell 15, 1781–1794.

m Radish root tip. When inoculated onto radish seedlings, S. turgidiscabies causes extensive swelling of the root tip, in the meristematic zone (a). Swelling is due to the production of the phytotoxin, thaxtomin, which interferes with plant cell wall synthesis, resulting in a dramatic unilateral expansion of cells (inset). (b) A normal, non-inoculated radish root tip of the same age. Bars, 300 µm; in insets, 25 µm. Simon Moll

c Although S. turgidiscabies can produce leafy galls when inoculated onto the aerial portion of tobacco plants, these symptoms have never been reported in nature. Unlike other described pathogenic streptomycetes, this species produces a cytokinin – a required for gall production. Madhumita Joshi

66 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 67 Good, bad, but beautiful: Diversity in form and function is fundamental to the success of bacteria. the weird and Paul Hoskisson believes that actinobacteria demonstrate this better than any other wonderful group. actinobacteria he actinobacteria provide us Their importance in the rhizosphere and flooding, and also for dune stabilization has proved suc- ogy, due to the isolation of several strains of Rhodococcus. These with some of the most bene- was recognized in the heyday of soil cessful in Canada and China, and given the availability of the organisms are usually rod-shaped and, occasionally, branch- ficial micro-organisms to man- microbiology in the 1950 and 1960s, genome sequences, the biotechnological impact of Frankia ing fragmenters, and are voracious consumers of hydro- kind and also with some of and since then, organisms such as species may only just be in its infancy. carbons and other complex organic materials in soil. Recently, our biggest foes; this is even Frankia have come to the fore. This the genome sequence of one such isolate, Rhodococcus sp. true within genera! In addition group forms intimate symbiotic relation- Plant pathogens RAH1 was completed, and it is predicted to harbour pathways Tto these costs or benefits, there is a ships with Alnus (Alder) especially, Of course, in the soil not all organisms are plant-friendly. Take for the degradation of 30 aromatic compounds, with gene morphological diversity which beggars although more than 200 plant hosts the pathogen Leifsonia, a genus of rod-shaped actinobacteria clusters containing 203 oxygenases. Given this catabolic belief, from the familiar bacterial shapes from 21 genera are known. which strikes fear into the hearts of sugar cane farmers. The diversity, it is little surprise that these organisms have of cocci and rods, through to hyphal sequenced strain (L. xyli) invades the canes, and through received much attention in recent years as possible agents for organisms, with a lifestyle pioneered A nitrogen fixer a broad armoury of hydrolytic enzymes literally dissolves bioremediation, both as whole organisms and as sources before the fungi. Actinomycetes also Frankia species fix atmospheric nitro- the cane from the inside out, exploiting the plant transport for gene clusters for heterologous enzyme production. demonstrate some of the most elabor- gen, through nif and nod genes which system, the xylem, for its progress. This organism has never The Jekyll and Hyde characteristics of actinobacterial ate sporulation and dispersal mech- appear to be highly conserved with been isolated from soil, or from wild sugar cane in south- genera are typified by the rhodococci. The persistent equine anisms of all micro-organisms. In this those of the alphaproteobacterium east Asia, suggesting that it is a recent association between pathogen Rhodococcus equi is ubiquitous in the environment, short survey, I will describe the most Rhizobium. Frankia is a slow-growing host and pathogen in the main farming region of Central and and grows rapidly in horse manure. It is thought that astonishing group of bacteria. organism (doubling time 2–5 days) South America. In addition to Leifsonia, another important the main route of infection is via the inhalation of R. equi now attracting attention, given the plant pathogen is from a genus normally considered as one from manure-contaminated dust. The infection proceeds in In soil: availability of two genome sequences of the ‘good guys’. Streptomyces scabies is the aetiological the lungs, causing a pneumonia-like disease, especially in providers or pathogens (Frankia sp. Cluster 2 and Frankia sp agent of scab disease and is an important pathogen of foals. The genome of R. equi is currently being sequenced at Actinobacteria are typically thought of EAN1pec). Endophytic Frankia species potatoes (covered in detail by Rosemary Loria on p. 64). the Sanger Centre in Cambridge, and the provision of such a as soil organisms, and this environment tend to be microaerophilic, and can resource may aid in the development of a vaccine. Additionally, is where some of the most diverse be cultured in vitro where they form Jekyll and Hyde bacteria R. equi pneumonia is also emerging as a significant human forms are isolated. In the early days branching vegetative hyphae. Aerial The diversity of lifestyles in soil, and the ability to utilize a pathogen in patients with HIV, yet currently we know little of bacteriology many were overlooked hyphae appear to be absent, and the variety of substrates, has also been to the benefit of biotechnol- about its pathogenicity in humans. due to their slow growth, until an non-motile spores are found on the appreciation of this and enhanced vegetative mycelium, inside sporangia. b A typical Swiss cheese. The holes in these types of cheese are often Food spoilers, producers and probiotics formed by propionibacteria, such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii, selective isolation procedures began to The use of actinorhizal plants for the when added to the starter culture. The bacteria secrete various Compared with lactobacilli and lactococci, actinobacteria realize the true diversity of the group. reclamation of land damaged by mining peptidases and hydrolytic enzymes. IT Stock / Jupiter Images have a relatively low profile in the food industry. Yet genera

68 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 69 Actinobacteria provide us with some of the most beneficial micro-organisms to mankind and also with some of our biggest foes. In addition, their morphological diversity beggars belief.

such as Propionibacterium and Bifidobacterium are important little of their physiology, ecology and colonies blight those with poor aseptic which grow up into the air, where for flavour enhancement in cheeses and as probiotics, genetics. The genome sequence of technique! Micrococcus, and the related spores develop. The of this respectively. one isolate, Bifidobacterium longum Arthrobacter, represent the morpho- group is difficult, yet it is clear from shed some light on their biology, logically simple actinobacteria; how- various studies that the Nocardia are Say cheese such as extensive gene arrays for oligo- ever, even these species exist in a closely related to Corynebacterium, Propionibacteria are considered beneficial organisms in saccharide metabolism being often pleiomorphic lifestyle, where under Rhodococcus and Gordonia. cheeses and are even added to the starter cultures for hole duplicated within the genome, or hori- ideal conditions favouring rapid The hyphal fragmenting lifestyle formation in Swiss-type cheeses. These organisms, especially zontally acquired and accounting for growth they grow as rods, yet starvation almost shows a progression from rods Propionibacterium freudenreichii, tend to succeed the lactic almost 10 % of the genome. These induces the shrinkage of cells and to the next group of morphologically acid bacteria during cheese production, and through the organisms also contain many genes the rounding of cells to appear as complex actinomycetes which form secretion of peptidases and other hydrolytic enzymes, play a for the production of glycoprotein classic cocci (quasi-spores?). This branching hyphae, and true spores major role in the development of flavour in ripening by the binding fimbriae and other structures morphological change, coupled with directly on the substrate mycelium. This generation of aromatic amino acids. which may be important for adhesion the accumulation of storage material group includes Micromonospora and The ability of these organisms to produce hydrolytic and persistence within the gut. provides the perfect environmental Salinospora, both of which are important enzymes, such as peptidases and lipases, is also postulated Continuing studies of these fascinating survival mechanism. Moving to the producers of pharmaceutically useful to be the pathogenic mechanism of Propionibacterium acnes, a actinobacteria will undoubtedly lead rod shaped actinobacteria, whilst products. The micromonosporas are related human commensal, which is implicated in the forma- to a better understanding of how diet Mycobacterium, Corynebacterium and extensive producers of aminoglycoside m Top left. Streptomyces coelicolor aerial hyphae and spores. Paul Hoskisson tion of acne. Normally a harmless inhabitant of the sebaceous and probiotics can affect the health and Clavibacter are morphologically un- antibiotics, with gentamicin being the m Bottom left. Micromonospora echinospora, note the spores borne directly on the glands within the skin, little is known about how this organ- well-being of the human gut. remarkable, they are all medically or most well known. Other metabolites, substrate mycelium. Paul Hoskisson ism switches from commensal to pathogen. It seems from biotechnologically significant. such as calicheamicins and other the genome sequence that several immunogenic factors The developmental biologists’ enediynes, are attracting attention as m Top right. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of a Y-shaped Bifidobacterium are present that may be responsible in triggering acne delight Hyphal lifestyles promising anti-cancer therapeutics. sp. bacterium. Bifidobacterium are non-motile and inhabit the human gut, mouth and vagina, but are rarely pathogenic. BSIP / Science Photo Library inflammation. Rods and cocci It is difficult to speculate on the The recently discovered genus Salino- Bacteria are often thought of as emergence of the hyphal lifestyle in spora was isolated from deep-sea c Opposite page. Red nitrogen-fixing nodules containing symbiotic Frankia sp. Friendly bacteria morphologically simple, and this is the actinobacteria, yet given the pres- sediments and the new strains appear bacteria on the roots of a black alder tree (Alnus glutinosa). Biophoto Associates / Recently, there has been an upsurge of interest in probiotic true for many genera, yet sporulation ence of this phenomenon in broadly to have a requirement for salt in their Science Photo Library micro-organisms and their potential health benefits. At the as a means of dispersal, propagation separated taxonomic lineages, it would growth medium. They are an exciting forefront of this movement is the obligate anaerobe Bifido- and survival has been adopted by some be interesting to know if it has arisen source of potential new metabolites. bacterium (the ‘friendly bacterium’ of TV fame). These long actinobacteria. The level of morpho- on more than one occasion during rods, or occasionally ‘Y’-shaped organisms, are abundant in logical complexity within the actino- evolution. The hyphal actinobacteria Dispersal strategies the human gut, fermenting a wide variety of oligosaccharides mycetes can represent an amazing tool occur in all ecological niches. The The Micromonosporaceae exhibit some which are unusable by the human host. The presence of such for evolutionary and developmental Nocardia are remarkable organisms, of the most amazingly complex dis- oligosaccharides is important for boosting Bifidobacterium biologists interested in how these pro- with members of this group representing persal strategies found within the numbers in the gut, and this has been referred to as the cesses have evolved. The last common significant opportunistic pathogens actinobacteria. Several species have ‘prebiotic effect’. It has been estimated that bifidobacteria ancestor of the actinomycetes is esti- (such as Nocardia farcinica) as well as evolved the formation of sporangia- represent only 3–6 % of the adult gut flora yet their presence mated at around 2–1.5 gigayears, being producers of important bioactive like structures, as in fungi, essentially has been associated with many benefits to health such as pre- with morphologically complex actino- molecules. They are intermediate small sacks for holding spores. These vention of diarrhoea, aiding in lactose intolerance, and even bacteria such as Streptomyces appear- organisms in terms of their morphology can be relatively simple in structural helping to prevent food allergies and chronic gut inflammation ing around 440 million years ago. In the as some species are hyphal and, in terms such as Microbispora, where diseases through their immunomodulatory action. These simplest form, the actinomycetes are response to poorly defined signals, a small sporangium contains two favourable effects have led to the widespread use of bifido- cocci, represented by the ubiquitous simply fragment into short rods. Other spores, to Dactylosporangium, which, bacteria in health-promoting foods, yet we still understand Micrococcus, whose bright yellow species form short, specialized hyphae as the name suggests forms finger-

70 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 71 like sporangia, each containing 3–5 spores. There is some anecdotal evidence that Dactylosporangium can also form (a) (b) Micromonospora-like spores directly on the mycelium, and the sporulation mechanism chosen may be related to growth (c) conditions. One of the most fascinating genera which (d) broadly falls in to this category is Actinoplanes, which forms sporangia on its substrate mycelium, which can contain up to 100 motile spores. This mechanism of sporulation represents (e) a significant evolutionary step in terms of complexity. With many of these organisms we know very little about their ecology, evolution or genetics, yet they are fascinating in terms of their developmental biology. (f) (i) Aerial sporulation Of course, in contrast to the poorly studied developmentally complex actinomycetes, the prokaryotic developmental para- (iii) (ii) digm Streptomyces is relatively well understood in terms of its developmental biology. This genus and other closely (g) related genera form a branching substrate mycelium which, in response to nutrient limitation, develops aerial hyphae, which grow up from the aqueous environment into the air, where they mature into unigenomic spores. This lifestyle m A schematic representation of the diverse forms of morphology exhibited by the actinomycetes. (a) Rods, e.g. Mycobacterium, presents two major problems. First, the breaking of the Micrococcus; (b) rods, e.g. Corynebacterium, some Rhodococcus; (c) surface tension, to allow the aerial hyphae to extend into Y-shaped, short, sometimes branching rods, e.g. Bifidobacterium; the air to complete their development, achieved by the (d) hyphal and branching fragmenters, e.g. Nocardia, some production of several hydrophobic proteins and molecules Rhodococcus, some Amycolatopsis; (e) hyphal branching, spores or sporangia (see f), e.g. Micromonospora, Salinospora; (f) specialized and secondly, the co-ordinated division of the aerial hyphae sporulation structure in the actinobacteria, (i) two-spore sporangia, into spores, which can number up to 100. This process e.g. Microbispora, (ii) finger-like sporangia, e.g. Dactylosporangium, requires the co-ordinated and simultaneous septation of all and (iii) sporangia containing many motile spores, e.g. Actinoplanes; compartments; an amazing biological phenomenon. (g) branching hyphae, forming aerial mycelium and spores, e.g. Streptomyces, Saccharopolyspora and some Amycolatopsis. Paul The formation of aerial hyphae has been utilized by Hoskisson several actinomycete genera (Amycolatopsis, Streptomyces and Saccharopolyspora) within their sporulation mechanism and 28–30 represents an interesting problem for these organisms in that the aerial hyphae can only receive nutrients via the substrate Paul A. Hoskisson November 2007 hyphae for their growth. Lecturer in Microbiology, Strathclyde Institute of Cardiff City Hall Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Summary Strathclyde, Royal College Building, 204 George Street, The 2007 Conference will be the largest UK gathering of health professionals working in infectious disease and its The actinomycetes provide not only microbiologists, but also Glasgow G1 1XW, UK (t 0141 548 2819; f 0141 548 allied disciplines. The conference will include: mankind, with some of their biggest challenges and rewards; 4124; e [email protected]) either as a pathogen, as a producer of a pharmaceutically d multidisciplinary plenary sessions d a variety of challenging interactive workshops useful product or as a biological system for study. There are Further reading almost 50 genome sequences for actinobacteria available for www.genomes online.org d named lectures d satellite symposia interrogation, yet we have barely scratched the surface in Genomes online provides summaries and links to all the d oral presentations d poster walks terms of diversity in form and function. They are certainly actinobacterial genome sequencing projects. a remarkable and diverse group of bacteria, which will Chater, K.F. & Chandra, G. (2006). The evolution of d social programme d trade exhibition continue to fascinate and occupy microbiologists for years development in Streptomyces analysed by genome comparisons. to come. FEMS Microbiol Rev 30, 651–672. The Scientific Organizing Committee, with input from many of the constituent societies of FIS, is putting together an exciting programme focusing on a wide range of topics of current importance in the field of infection.

For all enquiries, contact the FIS Secretariat: email [email protected]; tel. 0118 988 1805

We look forward to welcoming you to Cardiff in November 2007.

72 microbiology today may 07 Whilst some species of corynebacteria cause life-threatening illnesses, others are used in industry to produce food additives, as Michael Bott explains. Corynebacteria: c The flavour of Asian food is often enhanced by the use of monosodium glutamate which is synthesized industrially using C. glutamicum. Liquid Library / Jupiter Images

. Fig. 1. Structures of the C32 mycolic acid of C. diphtheriae (a) and of trehalose dicorynomycolate (b). The latter is a characteristic constituent of the outer lipid bilayer present in most Corynebacterium species. Michael Bott the good guys and the bad guys

he suborder Corynebacterineae (porins) have been found in coryne- disease responsible for much childhood mortality until the the discovery by Gaston Ramon in 1923 that treatment of (a) (b) within the order Actinomycetales bacteria and mycobacteria. Thus the beginning of the 20th century. After infection, C. diphtheriae diphtheria toxin with formaldehyde eliminates its toxicity accommodates nine genera, the common textbook statement that usually colonizes the upper respiratory tract and secretes without destroying its immunogenicity. Formaldehyde- most well known of which only Gram-negative bacteria possess the potent diphtheria toxin (DT), causing the symptoms of treated DT is called diphtheria toxoid and is still the are Corynebacterium, Myco- an outer membrane is probably the disease. DT is absorbed by the circulatory system and preferred vaccine against the disease. DT is toxic because it bacterium, Nocardia and Rhodo- wrong. damages remote organs such as the heart, potentially result- inhibits protein synthesis by catalysing ADP-ribosylation of Tcoccus. A characteristic feature of these ing in death. At the local site in the respiratory tract, a whitish a modified histidine residue (called diphthamide) in elong- genera is the presence of mycolic acids Bad guys: pathogenic and later grey pseudomembrane develops (Fig. 3), which ation factor 2 (EF-2). The susceptibility to DT depends on (2-alkyl-3-hydroxy acids of variable corynebacteria gave the disease its name: the Greek word ‘diphthera’ means the presence of its receptor at the surface of eukaryotic cells, chain length). There is evidence that About 35 Corynebacterium species are ‘leather hide’. The pseudomembrane can reduce the air flow the heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) these compounds, either linked to considered to be of medical relevance and may eventually result in complete blockage, causing precursor. Binding of DT to this protein triggers receptor- the cell wall sugar polymer arabino- as commensals on the skin or mucous suffocation and death. mediated endocytosis. Upon acidification of the resulting galactan or esterified with trehalose membranes and/or as pathogens in Shortly after the identification of DT by Roux and ersinY endosomes, the catalytic domain of DT (the A fragment) (Fig. 1), are part of an outer lipid bilayer, man and animals. The most important in 1888, an animal serum with a DT antitoxin was used is translocated across the endosomal membrane into the reminiscent of the outer membrane pathogenic species is C. diphtheriae successfully by Emil von Behring to treat a case of diphtheria. cytosol and becomes active. Only strains of C. diphtheriae of Gram-negative bacteria. In accord- (Fig. 2), which was shown in 1884 by For the development of serum therapy, he was awarded the that carry certain temperate bacteriophages, such as ance with the existence of an outer Friedrich Loeffler to be the causative first Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1901. The corynephage b, are toxinogenic, because DT is encoded by lipid bilayer, pore-forming proteins agent of diphtheria, an acute, contagious major breakthrough in the fight against diphtheria was the tox gene on the phage genome. Its expression is triggered

74 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 75 Effector?

Out 2-Oxoglutarate CM CO2 In Succinyl-CoA ? P Inhibited by iron limitation. Under iron excess, Due to its industrial importance the DT repressor DtxR, encoded by the ? C. diphtheriae genome and active when CoA complexed with Fe2+, represses tox and favourable properties for research, In gene expression. DtxR functions as the CM master regulator of iron homeostasis in C. glutamicum has become an NAD+ Out corynebacteria. Due to insufficient vac- cination, outbreaks occurred in Russia NADH+H+ important . Glutamine Effector? and independent states of the former Soviet Union in the 1990s. They indi- 2.46 Mb genome sequence of strain a new taste called umami and was used or of cell wall antibiotics, like penicillin, can trigger glutamate is expected to increase further. In contrast to glutamate, which cated just how little is known about the K411 was established, which led to as a flavouring compound for food after secretion. In the past, alterations of the cell envelope (cell can in principle be produced with wild-type C. glutamicum, biology of C. diphtheriae, a situation that the identification of candidate genes extraction from wheat gluten. In 1956, membrane and/or cell wall) that alter the activity of a not yet l-lysine producers were originally obtained by random will hopefully change in future based on involved in drug resistance. Moreover, a screening programme by the Kyowa identified glutamate efflux carrier were proposed to be respons- mutagenesis and selection. With the establishment of gene the availability of the 2.49 Mb genome the genome sequence uncovered the Hakko Kogyo company (Tokyo), headed ible for glutamate efflux. More recent studies indicate that the technology, the rational development of producer strains by sequence of strain NCTC 13129 and absence of fatty acid synthase, explain- by S. Kinoshita and S. Udaka, led to the different induction methods are accompanied by a decrease in metabolic engineering became possible. Since the 1980s, a the development of an animal model ing the well known lipid auxotrophy of isolation of a biotin-auxotrophic soil bac- the activity of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex and large number of studies have been performed with C. gluta- based on DT-susceptible mice. C. jeikeium. It appears that lipids play a terium, now known as C. glutamicum, thus cause an increased flux of 2-oxoglutarate towards l-gluta- micum, focusing on amino acid biosynthesis, provision of Besides C. diphtheriae, C. jeikeium has major role in the metabolism of this that excreted large amounts of l-gluta- mate via glutamate dehydrogenase or via glutamine synthetase precursors and amino acid transport. Many molecular targets gained increasing importance in recent species, the reason for its prevailing mate when cultured aerobically in a and glutamate synthase. The decisive role of 2-oxoglutarate are meanwhile known and patented that are critical for years; it is the most frequently recov- habitats being areas of the skin which simple synthetic glucose medium under dehydrogenase is supported by observations that a mutant lysine overproduction, such as aspartate kinase, pyruvate ered corynebacterial species in hospital are known to contain hydrolipid films, biotin limitation. This was the birth of bio- lacking this enzyme secretes glutamate without any induction, carboxylase, or the lysine exporter LysE. intensive care facilities. It is considered such as the axilla. As in the case of technological amino acid production. whereas a mutant lacking a newly discovered inhibitor A new era in rational strain construction began with the part of the normal flora of the human C. diphtheriae, the availability of the Currently, 1.5 million tons of l-gluta- protein of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OdhI) is drastically availability of genome sequences for C. glutamicum in 2003. skin, particularly of in-patients, and the genome sequence paves the way for mate are produced using C. glutamicum impaired in its ability to produce glutamate (Fig. 4). Comparison of classically obtained lysine producers with the causative agent of a variety of severe future studies on the molecular basis of annually, making it the number one Besides glutamate, several other amino acids are produced wild-type allows the identification of new targets for strain nosocomial infections, usually in the im- C. jeikeium virulence. amino acid in terms of production capa- using C. glutamicum, most of which belong to the nine improvement. New producer strains are created starting from munocompromised. A critical feature city and demand. Interestingly, there essential amino acids that are not synthesized in animals the wild-type that carry a minimal set of mutations required of many clinical isolates of C. jeikeium Good guys: corynebacteria of is still some mystery about the mole- and humans but must be ingested with feed or food. The for efficient lysine production (genome breeding), but lack is multidrug resistance, making glyco- industrial relevance cular mechanisms of glutamate over- most important of these is l-lysine which is used as a feed unfavourable mutations that are always present in strains peptides such as vancomycin the only Monosodium glutamate was discovered production. Besides biotin limitation, the additive in pig and poultry breeding. Its demand rose from obtained by random mutagenesis and selection. Another remaining weapon. Recently, the in 1908 by Kikunae Ikeda in Japan as addition of surfactants, like Tween-60, less than 50,000 tons in 1970 to 850,000 tons in 2005 and important research field boosted by the genome sequence and the ‘omics’ technologies built on it concerns regulation. b Fig. 2. False-coloured transmission electron micrograph of In recent years several key regulators of carbon, nitrogen, C. diphtheriae bacteria, the cause of diphtheria. Alfred Pasieka / phosphorus, sulfur and iron metabolism have been identified Science Photo Library and the corresponding studies revealed significant differences b Fig. 3. A diphtheria patient showing the pseudomembrane. compared to regulation in Gram-negative and low G+C Gram- Dr C.W. Leung, Dept of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, positive bacteria. Due to its industrial importance and favour- Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong able properties for research, C. glutamicum has become an m Fig. 4. Model of post-transcriptional control of 2-oxoglutarate important model organism for the Actinomycetales, whose dehydrogenase complex (ODHC) activity in C. glutamicum. ODHC metabolic potential will be further increased and exploited is composed of three subunits, OdhA, SucB and LpdA. In its in the future by applying systems biology approaches. unphosphorylated state, the oxoglutarate dehydrogenase inhibitor protein, OdhI, forms a complex with OdhA and inhibits ODHC activity. Upon phosphorylation of OdhI by serine/threonine protein Michael Bott kinase G (PknG) and possibly by serine/threonine protein kinase B Institut für Biotechnologie 1, Forschungszentrum (PknB), the OdhA–OdhI complex dissociates and ODHC becomes active. Dephosphorylation of OdhI is presumably catalysed by the Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany (t +49 2461 615515; phospho-Ser/Thr protein phosphatase (Ppp). Michael Bott f +49 2461 612710; e [email protected])

76 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 77 The mycobacteria

The mycobacteria are an important cause of it can be grown under containment level II facilities it can be used to study virulence genes in mycobacteria, using disease worldwide, and include the agent of fish or amphibians as animal models. tuberculosis, one of the greatest challenges Acid-fast bacteria The key to the success of the myco- bacteria as pathogens appears to lie in to global health today. Matt Hutchings their unusual cell envelopes. The exis- tence of an odd outer layer in these describes this fascinating group. bacteria was first postulated by Robert Koch in 1882 when he noted that the tubercle bacilli he had isolated from infected lung tissue were very difficult to stain. Despite belonging to the Gram-positive actinobacteria, they are impermeable to Gram stain and have cell envelopes that more closely resemble those of Gram-negative bacteria. This includes an outer mycolic acid layer similar to the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. This ‘outer membrane’ also contains porins, which were first isolated from m A patient at the Acworth Municipal Hospital for Leprosy, Mumbai, India. WHO / P. Virot the cell envelope of M. chelonei and b Coloured scanning electron micrograph of a macrophage (green) engulfing Mycobacterium shown to form pores in liposomes bovis bacteria (orange). This is the BCG strain of the bacteria used in the vaccination against and artificial lipid bilayers. Although TB. Science Photo Library the gene(s) encoding these porins have yet to be identified inM. chelonei, Mycobacterium leprae number of the genes it would need similar porins have been identified in M. leprae was the first member of this for survival outside of a host, hence M. smegmatis, including MspA, which genus to be identified, back in 1873 in its status as an obligate intracellular forms a single pore and allows the Norway. Armauer Hansen discovered pathogen. diffusion of small hydrophilic mole- the bacterium while studying the skin Although it is rarely fatal, leprosy is cules across the cell envelope. Curiously, nodules of patients in the leprosy a disfiguring disease that has created while M. tuberculosis encodes no homo- hospitals in Bergen and immediately fear for hundreds of years. The bacillus logue of MspA it is known to contain at proposed that it was the cause of the inhabits host macrophages and accumu- least two porins. Despite the presence disease. Unfortunately, he was unable to lates in the extremities. Most of the of these pores, the mycolic acid layer culture the bacterium in the laboratory destructive damage is caused by infec- makes mycobacteria highly resistant or to find a non-human animal host tion of the Schwann cells in the sheaths to dessication and to a wide range of and was therefore unable to prove his of nerves, typically leading to the loss he mycobacteria belong to the Corynebacterineae tuberculosis. The slow-growing mycobacteria also include antibiotics. It is also essential for intra- hypothesis. This was a problem that of digits and, in extreme cases, facial subclass of the actinobacteria and are remarkable Mycobacterium marinum, which has potential as a model cellular survival and gives them perhaps persisted for over 100 years until the features and limbs. The cardinal symp- mainly for their ability to cause disease in animals. organism for studying mycobacterial infections. It causes their best known property: they are ‘acid- strange (and fortuitous) discovery toms of infection are anaesthetic skin They can be divided into two groups based on their tuberculosis-like granulomas in fish and amphibians and fast’. This refers to a staining technique that the nine-banded armadillo was patches, nerve damage and acid-fast growth characteristics. The fast-growing mycobacteria can also cause skin infections in humans. Human infection, in which the bacteria are stained red susceptible to infection with M. leprae. bacilli in the skin. Following diagnosis include non-pathogens such as the model organism often referred to as ‘swimming pool granuloma’, is rare and is with carbol-fuschin, washed in a dilute It was this armadillo that facilitated leprosy is treated with a combination TMycobacterium smegmatis, and opportunistic pathogens such thought to occur when water containing M. marinum enters a acid/alcohol solution and then stained the sequencing of the genome in 2001 of drugs to prevent drug-resistant bac- as Mycobacterium chelonei, which can cause septicaemia. The break in the skin. The genome sequence of M. marinum was again with methylene blue. Mycobac- and led to the discovery that half the teria from arising. The World Health slow-growing mycobacteria include all the nasty animal recently completed by the Sanger Centre in Cambridge and teria retain the red dye (they are acid- genome of M. leprae has decayed into Organization (WHO) provides free pathogens, such as Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium shares very high identity with that of M. tuberculosis. Since fast) while other cells are stained blue. pseudogenes. M. leprae has lost a large multi-drug therapy (MDT) to leprosy

78 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 79 patients in all endemic countries and treated an estimated resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, the two most disease now that drug-resistant strains 2 million people between 1996 and 2000. MDT is a com- powerful anti-tuberculosis drugs. In addition to this, XDR A combination of new and powerful are becoming widespread. bination of the antibiotics dapsone and rifampicin and TB strains are resistant to at least four second line drugs the anti-inflammatory clofazimine. The WHO report that (Table 1). antibiotics and an effective vaccine New targets for drug the number of people affected is falling drastically every year TB is spread through sneezing and the bacteria can remain discovery? and MDT is part of a programme aimed at eradicating this air-borne in droplets of water for hours. Remarkably, only might finally lead to the eradication Since existing antibiotics have a fairly disease. two or three bacteria need to reach the lungs to cause limited range of targets (namely the infection. They express cell surface proteins that advertise of the ancient and terrible disease of cell envelope, protein and nucleic acid The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex them to macrophages and invite phagocytosis. Once inside biosynthesis), hopes for a powerful Unlike leprosy, tuberculosis is still a growing problem, the macrophages, they block phagosome maturation and new anti-tuberculosis drug hang on with more than two million deaths worldwide every year. can remain dormant for years. Active infection occurs tuberculosis. the availability of genome sequences Staggeringly, the WHO estimate that one-third of the world’s when T cells attack the site of infection and create lesions, for pathogenic mycobacteria. Ideally population is infected with the tubercle bacillus (TB). The or tubercles, in which the TB can remain hidden for long for TB, development of a new vaccine to 1906 and 1919. They subcultured a these new targets will be proteins disease is most commonly caused by M. tuberculosis but periods of time. The WHO estimate that one person with replace BCG (Bacille Calmette–Guérin), virulent culture of M. bovis on potato that are essential either for viability or can also result from infection by Mycobacterium bovis, active, untreated TB can infect up to 15 people a year. This and the development of the first new slices soaked in ox bile and glycerol. infection and which are absent from Mycobacterium africanum and Mycobacterium microti. Together highlights the desperate need for accurate and rapid diagnosis anti-tuberculosis drug in 40 years. It took a total of 230 passages of 3 the host cell. Cell-surface proteins these four species make up the M. tuberculosis complex. and for effective treatment programmes that go hand in weeks each, during which time the are of particular interest due to the M. bovis also causes tuberculosis in cattle which, although hand with treatments for HIV. Patients infected with HIV Vaccination bacterium gradually lost its ability to impermeability of the cell envelope. rare in most of the UK, is a big problem for farmers with are much more susceptible to infection with TB and the two The BCG vaccine is still the most widely cause disease. The fact that no better Transcriptomic approaches have already infected herds since it spreads rapidly. Badgers have been infections appear to exacerbate one another. Furthermore, effective vaccine against M. tuberculosis vaccine has been introduced for human identified a wide range of genes that blamed for spreading bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and have treatment for one infection can seriously hinder treatments and M. leprae. It has an overall use since BCG in 1921 highlights the are expressed upon host-cell infection. been culled in the south east of England. However, while it is for the other and this creates a serious problem for healthcare efficiency of between 15 and 80 %, difficulties of producing a vaccine This, combined with biochemical clear that badgers can carry bTB, it is still unknown whether workers. The WHO, with funding from the Bill and Melinda probably because it doesn’t work very against an intracellular pathogen of the and structural studies, could lead they transmit bTB to cattle or vice versa. In recent years the Gates Foundation, have formulated a global plan to halt well on people who have been exposed immune system. However, huge efforts to the development of antibiotics human tuberculosis problem has been exacerbated by the the rise in TB by 2015. This extends their previous DOTS to environmental mycobacteria (such are underway to develop new vaccines targeted at specific cellular structures. HIV epidemic, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Incorrect (directly observed therapy) programme and includes plans as Mycobacterium avium). BCG is a live and some of these have reached the A combination of new and powerful use of antibiotics has led to widespread multi-drug resistant to put three million people co-infected with HIV and TB on attenuated strain of M. bovis isolated stage of human trials. The effort will antibiotics and an effective vaccine (MDR) TB and, more recently, new strains of extensively drug retroviral drugs over the next 8 years. Important research by Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin be worthwhile because a new vaccine might finally lead to the eradication of resistant (XDR) TB have been reported. MDR TB strains are goals include the development of rapid and inexpensive tests at the Pasteur Institute in Lille between offers the best hope of combating this this ancient and terrible disease.

Table 1. Modern-day treatment of TB Matt Hutchings School of Biological Sciences, First line drugs Second line drugs University of East Anglia, Norwich Isoniazid Fluoroquinolone Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, Rifampicin Capreomycin UK (t 01603 592257; f 01603 Pyrazinamide Kanamycin 592250; e [email protected]) Apicomplexa Amikacin Cycloserine Further reading Cole, S.T., Eisenbach, K.D., McMurray, Thiacetazone D.N. & Jacons, W.R., eds (2005). Ethionamide Tuberculosis and the Tubercle Bacillus. Ciprofloxacin Washington, DC: American Society for Microbiology. Hopwood, D. (2007). Streptomyces c The European badger (Meles meles) foraging. Although it is clear in Nature and Medicine: The Antibiotic that badgers can carry bovine tuberculosis, it is still not known Makers. Oxford: Oxford University whether they actually transmit the disease to cattle or vice versa. Press. Duncan Shaw / Science Photo Library World Health Organization Stop TB c A coloured chest X-ray showing scarring (green) of the lungs after website – www.who.int/tb/en/ a case of chronic tuberculosis. The heart (red) is also seen. Scarring of the lungs often occurs if treatment is delayed. Du Cane Medical World Health Organization Leprosy Imaging Ltd / Science Photo Library website – www.who.int/lep/en/

80 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 81 meetings

Anaerobe 2007 Eukaryotic microbial scientific communication by young Autumn07 University of Edinburgh with support from Oxoid pathogens, attack and counter microbiologists. This year’s finalists will Meetings on the web be making short oral presentations on 3–6 September 2007 161st Meeting Changing perceptions and attack For up-to-date information on patterns of anaerobic infection 5–6 September 2007 their work. The three best entries will future Society meetings and to win cash prizes: 1st £500, 2nd £200 5–6 September 2007 Eukaryotic Microbiology Group book online see www.sgm.ac.uk Organizer A.S.H. Goldman and 3rd £100. All finalists receive a Water-borne disease Clinical Microbiology Group / Plenary Food, fluids, free year’s SGM membership. Meetings organization Society for Anaerobic Microbiology fingers, faeces and flies – J. Rose USA Science in the fight The SGM meetings programmes Organizers S. Patrick, M.M. Tunney Workshops food- and water-borne against water-borne diseases are organized by the committees & I.R. Poxton pathogens P. Hunter Norwich Significance of Molecular detection of food General information of the special interest groups, 3–4 September 2007 water-borne Cryptosporidium Other symposia and water pathogens Contact details of organizers are co-ordinated by the Scientific Organizers N. Dorrell, P.H. Everest, K. Jones Lancaster Survival and 5 September 2007 included in the meeting programme Meetings Officer, Professor Hilary Ecology of viruses K. Grant, H.M. Lappin-Scott, R.A. Rastall, transmission of Campylobacter in Food & Beverages / on the SGM website. Lappin-Scott. Suggestions for 3–4 September 2007 C.E.D. Rees & P. Wyn-Jones water Systematics & Evolution Groups topics for future symposia are Environmental Microbiology / A poster to promote the meeting is P. Wyn-Jones Aberystwyth Organizer K. Grant always welcome. See p. 99 for From farm to fork Virus Ecology Groups enclosed with this issue. Please display Water-borne viruses contact details of Conveners. H. Dalton London Government Organizers D.A. Pearce, M. Clokie & Getting it right: risk assessment it in your department. directives and scientific realities Intervention strategies N.H. Mann and recording in microbiology Administration of meetings is 6 September 2007 carried out by Mrs Josiane Dunn at R. Mandrell USA Pathogen survival T. Brocklehurst Norwich Safety or Physiology of non-growing Education & Training Group Abstracts SGM Headquarters, Marlborough and minimal processing flavour? Preservatives out, bacteria in? microbes Organizers L.M. Lawrance & Deadline for receipt of titles and House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers C.E.R. Dodd Nottingham Processing G. Mycock The Netherlands Natural 3–4 September 2007 M.J. Tully abstracts for offered presentations: Wood, Reading RG7 1AG (t 0118 pigs to pork: do critical control points products as an intervention strategy Physiology, Biochemistry & Molecular 4 May 2007. 988 1805; f 0118 988 5656; exist for Salmonella? L. De Vuyst Belgium Control of food- Genetics Group Annual General Meeting e [email protected]). C. Hill Cork Pathogen survival in dairy borne pathogens by probiotic bacteria Organizer D.J. Clarke 4 September Registration products D.K.R. Karaolis USA Food Monitoring in bioprocesses Offered papers & posters Registration is via the SGM website at Food-borne disease bioterrorism? Measures for protecting 4 September 2007 Many Groups organize sessions the food chain Young Microbiologist of www.sgm.ac.uk/meetings R. Adak Colindale Epidemiology of Fermentation & Bioprocessing Group the Year Competition for the presentation of short oral food-borne infection in the UK Hot topic symposium Organizers B. McNeil & The deadline for discounted earlybird papers or allow intercalated papers 4 September registration is Friday 3 August. E. Duizer The Netherlands Emerging with support from NERC D. Papadopoulos within their symposia. Offered The competition is sponsored by the Thereafter full registration fees will be food-borne Hepatitis E and porcine posters are welcome at all Society Post-genomic analysis of Mechanisms of diarrhoeal disease Society to encourage excellence in payable. transmission microbial function in the 5–6 September 2007 meetings. C. Low Edinburgh The epidemiology environment Cells & Cell Surfaces / Offered posters of VTEC in animal reservoirs and 5–6 September 2007 Microbial Infection Groups Each poster should be associated implications for human infections Organizers A.M. Osborn, P.L. Bond Organizers P. Everest, B. Kenny Branch Irish OtherEvents either with the Plenary topic or R. Glass USA Gastrointestinal viruses & J. Snape & A.F. Cunningham with a Group. The subject content of the latter should be relevant to Microbial functions in response Third European Congress the remit of a Group (see website Spring08 Edinburgh International Autumn08 to the environment of Virology for details); it does not have to Queen’s University of Belfast Nürnberg, Germany relate to the topic of the Group Spring08 Conference Centre Trinity College Dublin 30–31 August 2007 1–5 September 2007 Symposium taking place at a Organizer John McGrath particular meeting. General Offered nd 8–11 September 2008 31 March–3 April 2008 162 Meeting Posters will not be accepted. Virus molecular interactions: Plenary Biofilms Regulatory mechanisms in therapeutic targets (SGM/ Abstracts MRCPath Part 2/ Vaccines against Plenary Bacterial secretion host–pathogen interactions RSC joint meeting) Titles and abstracts for all viral infections / Communicating systems: commonality and National University of Ireland, Oxford presentations are required in a microbiology / Microbial diversity Galway 16–18 September 2007 standard format and should be biogeochemical cycling / Commercial AbstractBook 27–28 March 2008 submitted through the SGM industrial bioprocess development / Hot topic Microbes and Organizer Conor O’Byrne website. Deadlines for submissions Toxins in food and beverages / The 14th Conference of the climate change Manchester Meeting, are published in Microbiology horizontal gene pool / Cell biology / Federation of Infection March 2007 Today and on the web. For further Other sessions Cyanobacteria / Virus modulation of Societies For details of Irish Branch activities information contact the Events Type V secretion / Biological basis of host defences / Control of virus gene The full text of the abstracts book is Cardiff contact Evelyn Doyle (e evelyn. Administrator. infection control / How to pass the expression available as PDF on the SGM website. [email protected]). 28–30 November 2007

82 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 83 schoolzone

Schools Membership costs only £10 a year. Benefits include There are several The supervisor’s view We approached each of these questions with a range of techniques, including PFGE, PCR, plasmid isolation and Microbiology Today, advance copies of new teaching resources Paul Wigley schemes that aim Dept of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool cell invasion assays. Hannah conducted the work with and discounted fees on SGM INSET courses. To join see I acquired a Nuffield Bursary student accidentally as the genuine enthusiasm, always eager to learn more and much less afraid to ask questions than I expected. We found that www.sgm.ac.uk/membership. Enquiries: [email protected] to raise the profile faculty had agreed to take a number of students, but could not place them in research groups at the main campus. there were just two closely related clonal strains affecting or go to www.microbiologyonline.org.uk for full details of of science to school Following encouragement from a colleague who had hosted greenfinches, that they possessed genes associated with resources and activities. these projects previously, I agreed. Hannah Bradon, the disease and that they were highly invasive into cultured students. Jane bursary student, then contacted me and we developed her epithelial cells. Unlike many isolates that come through the department, they were susceptible to most antibiotics. Westwell describes project together. The Department has a strong interest in wildlife infectious Following Hannah’s project, we have expanded the Nuffield Bursaries and disease and as such had become involved with the Garden work considerably to look at a larger panel of virulence Bird Health Initiative. Through this we have a PhD factors and strains from a range of bird species and have Projecting the Crest Awards, student investigating a range of infections in garden birds. investigated their biology in cell culture models in further Salmonellosis is one of the more common infections and detail. We are now in the processes of analysing avian whilst Sue Assinder we had collected a number of Salmonella enterica serovar Salmonella isolates from throughout the UK in conjunction Typhimurium strains from dead greenfinches throughout with the Zoological Society of London and hope to publish microbiology takes a trip to Dublin to the north of England. My main research interest is in the these data in the next year. pathogenesis of salmonellosis in poultry so I was curious The project was quite an intellectual challenge for me as it www.nuffieldfoundation.org/go/grants/nsb/page_390.html visit the largest school to find out if these strains were similar to those associated required me to learn some new techniques and applications with poultry or human disease and to begin to understand a too. It was extremely rewarding to see Hannah’s confidence www.the-ba.net/the-ba/YPP/BACRESTAwards/index.html science fair in Europe. little of their molecular epidemiology. Together Hannah and and ability in the lab grow. By the end of the project a I developed a number of questions that her project would visitor to the lab thought she was a postgraduate student as SGM provides funds each year to summer vacation before the final year After completing their projects, address: she was so confident! The project did involve some thought and planning, but provided an excellent pilot study. It has the Nuffield Foundation to support of A-levels and the student receives students attend local events where 1. Was greenfinch salmonellosis the result of a clonal strain proved a very worthwhile experience for me and I hope microbiology-based projects under a bursary of up to £70 per week. they display them to an invited or lots of different strains? its Science Bursary Scheme. This Supervisors are encouraged to provide audience of teachers, other students for Hannah. The one thing I would suggest for anyone 2. Did these Salmonella isolates have virulence factors gives school students the chance to a project that is real and useful to their and representatives from industry, considering taking on such a project is to be realistic in common to human or poultry strains and do they behave work alongside research scientists or overall work, perhaps by exploring universities and research institutes. its scope, but design a real project related to your ongoing in the same way in cell culture infection models? technologists in universities, research a strand that may not otherwise The best students at each event research. A goal that means something to your research institutes or industry. Projects take be investigated or to add a new are encouraged to nominate their 3. Are these strains resistant to antibiotics like many found helps the student really value their contribution and learn place for 4–6 weeks during the dimension to an existing project. projects for entry to the BA Crest in livestock? more about research than a small unrelated piece of work. Science Fair which is held in London each February. Jane Westwell from The student’s view How did you find the the External Relations Office was Hannah Bradon Q experience? judging at this year’s event and was West Kirby Grammar School I found it extremely enjoyable, delighted to meet Hannah Bradon, Congratulations on winning A although very tiring. It was a long an enthusiastic student whose project Q such a great prize at the BA Crest day and I had nine judging sessions, on salmonellosis in garden birds so Science Fair 2007. What led you to enter which kept me on my toes! impressed the judges that she won the event? But I really enjoyed talking to the a prestigious AstraZeneca Young I attended the BA Gold Crest judges about my project and it was Innovators Award. This included A regional award ceremony interesting as some of them obviously a lap-top computer and a summer for people taking part in Nuffield knew a lot about the subject whereas placement with AstraZeneca tailored Schemes or similar throughout the others didn’t, so I found myself to the student’s interests and training North West. The judges were able communicating on different levels, needs. Coincidentally, her project was to recommend six projects that were depending on who I was talking to. hosted by SGM member Paul Wigley, good enough to self-nominate for I also liked being able to see all so Jane asked both Paul and Hannah the National BA Crest Science Fair in of the other fabulous science and to share their impressions of the London. I was delighted (if not a little technology projects that people Nuffield Bursary Scheme. surprised) at being selected for this had carried out. Again, I was very event, particularly when I saw the surprised when the prizes were m Hannah Bradon (left) and other award winners with Dr Kevin Cheesman from AstraZeneca. c Hannah working on her project at the high standard of projects I was up given out and I won AstraZeneca’s The British Association for the Advancement of Science University of Liverpool. Hannah Bradon against! award!

84 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 85 Why did you decide to apply for definitely had a steep learning curve, Q a Nuffield Bursary to carry out a having to pick up techniques and research project? carrying out various experiments. At It was my school physics the beginning of the project I didn’t Showcasing A teacher who first mentioned know how to streak out an agar plate the Nuffield Scheme, recommending or use a pipette, yet by the end I had that I should apply for a bursary over followed a protocol for Pulsed-Field the summer holidays. I thought that Gel Electrophoresis. science in this would be a fantastic opportunity I found the reality of lab work very to meet people with a science-based different from the theory, some of career and I knew that wherever I which I had learnt about in school – would be working and whatever the text book descriptions of PCR or I would be doing, I would benefit electrophoresis don’t tell you about Ireland greatly from the whole experience. the waiting involved! Working in a I had the pleasure of visiting the good (and a snip at about a quarter of What attracted you to the project research lab also enabled me to meet exhibition on the day on which the the price). with Paul? and talk to students and professionals Q who were carrying out their own prize winners were announced. As First, when my Nufffield co- The highlight of the day was the research projects. I entered the Exhibition Hall at the prize-giving. Expecting something ordinator told me that I would be Royal Dublin Society I was taken A Do you have any advice for along the lines of a school speech working at the Pathology Department aback by the scale of the event, students thinking of doing day, I was stunned to be led into a based at Leahurst (the veterinary Q the diversity and quality of the teaching hospital of Liverpool something similar? 2,000-seater auditorium, with flashing science on show … and the noise! lights, booming music … and Ronan University) I was really pleased, If anybody is thinking of doing a The enthusiasm and excitement of having done work experience at the research project, the best advice Keating. Hand-held cameras followed A the young participants was almost the prize-winners as they made their large animal hospital a couple of years I can give is ‘don’t hold back!’ I would tangible. earlier. definitely recommend it. Although the way to the stage, projecting their I spent a fantastic day wandering project takes up spare time and does delighted faces onto huge video When I first went to Leahurst to around the posters and talking to require a fair bit of work, not many screens. It was like a cross between meet Paul I could see that he was the pupils about their work. It was students get the chance to carry out the Oscar ceremony and the final of looking forward to being able to pleasing to see a lot of microbiology something like this and there are only X-Factor. do this project as it was novel and projects on display, albeit most of limited places on the Nuffield scheme, Microbiology projects scooped a fair nobody knew what kind of results them variations on a theme. Many so if you do get the opportunity, go share of the prizes, with the Manuka would be obtained. Despite having pupils had chosen to look at surface for it! Honey project coming second in its never worked in a lab and knowing contamination by microbes (on hands, category and also winning a special practically nothing about Salmonella What are your plans for the feet, mobile phones, money and the food safety award. However, the Typhimurium, I was really excited future? staff room floor) or at food spoilage Q overall winner was a 16-year old about the project. I have always I’m studying Biology, Chemistry (in thawed meat and student lunch mathematician, Abdusalam Abubakar, been interested in animal health and Maths at A-level and have How do you get young people a showcase for secondary pupils boxes). It was a bit disappointing A whose project demonstrated and welfare and having the chance to recently received a conditional interested in science? An approach from all over Ireland to display their that a lot of these projects involved weaknesses in a widely used computer do my own research into Salmonella- offer to study Veterinary Science at used in America for many years is originality and research skills. It is also taking swabs and streaking agar encryption system. His grasp of induced deaths in greenfinches was a university next year. This project the school ‘Science Fair’, at which a hugely enjoyable event which gives plates, rather than having any sort of complex mathematics impressed the fantastic opportunity for me and will made me aware of the importance of budding young scientists get the young people the chance to meet their quantitative element. However, just judges, but may be appreciated less by probably be very useful for me in veterinary scientists in research and I chance to present the results of their peers from across the country and to getting these young people interested those in charge of the security of bank the future. would definitely consider research as hands-on science projects, with the explore the wider world of science in microbiology is an important first details and internet commerce! How did you find working in a a career in the future. So I’m keeping best going on to compete at a high- and technology. Approximately 1,500 step. My favourite project compared Q research lab? my fingers crossed for this summer’s profile national competition. Back proposals were submitted for the 2007 the antibacterial properties of New So how do you get young people Having never worked in a lab exams! in the 1960s, two physicists from Exhibition, from which 500 projects Zealand Manuka honey with its interested in science? Give them the A before, my 4 weeks of research Jane Westwell University College Dublin were so were selected to compete in a 3-day Irish counterpart. The students were freedom to develop their own research were a completely new experience. I External Relations Office inspired by this model that they set event in January, attended by some delighted to be able to conclude that project, the thrill of showcasing their out to emulate it back home. 35,000 members of the public. the home-grown product was just as work and then make them feel special Now in its 43rd year, the BT Young by publicly celebrating their successes. Scientist & Technology Exhibition is one And having Ronan Keating on hand m The 2007 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, Dublin (top), and just what it means doesn’t do any harm either! of the largest and longest running to win – Abdusalam Abubakar and friends with their prizes (bottom). Gill Madden, Fleishman- science exhibitions in Europe. It is Hillard International Communications Sue Assinder, Education Officer

86 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 87 gradline

Gradline aims to inform and entertain members in the early presenting work at conferences (by Our next speaker, Anne Kjerrström audience – which led to further volunteering for the oral rather than described the career choices that schools liaison work. She also stages of their career in microbiology. If you have any news poster presentation) or maybe through led to her current post at Pfizer wrote non-technical articles for the voluntary or part-time work. Belinda Global Research and Development in IAH Bulletin and got involved in or stories, or would like to see any topics featured, contact rounded off her talk with some Sandwich. Her school and university Biotechnology YES which developed Jane Westwell (e [email protected]). hints on finding work and making education was in Sweden – a different her business awareness, presentation applications. Her talk is available system to the UK – but the approaches and marketing skills. Lucy also took as a PowerPoint presentation from she used to develop her career would the opportunity to organize the IAH More than 150 PhD students and early www.biocareers.org.uk/res.htm work well in any situation. Anne exhibit at the 2006 Royal Agricultural career postdocs were thinking about took every opportunity throughout Show. Lucy’s talk highlighted the their careers when they attended the Case studies her education to gain research importance of identifying the skills experience and followed her MSc PhD – What Next? session at the recent Three short presentations followed needed to change career and gave with a 3 month project in Japan. After PhD – what’s next? SGM Meeting in Manchester. Our from microbiologists who have fairly examples of how to make the most of working for a PhD with an industrial focus was employability or using the recently made their next step from opportunities available to many PhD focus at the Karolinska Institute and skills developed during research to PhD research. researchers. She also encouraged the move on in your career. Joanna Verran, a 6-month postdoctoral position in audience to think of ways to enhance Paul Hoskisson (a recently appointed You’ve almost finished your PhD or maybe you’ve already Convener of the SGM Education and Sweden, she went to a Marie-Curie their own skills and experience to lecturer at University of Strathclyde) Training Group, chaired the workshop funded position at Pfizer in 2003. make their application really stand out started a postdoctoral contract. Are your thoughts turning shared his experiences as an academic which started with a plenary talk on This led to a permanent position the from the competition when applying to the future? Are you considering your next career move or researcher. He outlined his career employability by Belinda Bray who is following year and her current post for jobs. pathway and the actions he took to maybe even the one after next? Jane Westwell shows how the Project Officer for UK GRAD NW in antiviral research in 2006. Anne progress it. After graduating with a Hub based in Manchester. advised delegates to find a career that Q, A & supper to maximize your chances of success. BSc in Applied Microbiology from really interests them and look for Following the presentations, our Liverpool John Moores University, opportunities; she also emphasized the speakers and chair formed a panel to Employability tactics Paul spent 18 months working in need to build up a network of contacts answer questions from the audience. Belinda pared down the concept industry. He then went back to and the advantages of having a career They were joined by three more experts: of employability to getting a job Liverpool to do a PhD. During this mentor to offer unbiased support. John Peberdy (Biotechnology YES), and talked about the key points to time he realized that molecular Fillipa Vance (Science Programme consider: what type of job do you biology would be a key element Lucy Chappell (Press and Manager, Wellcome Trust) and Sarah want, what skills and experience do of microbiology in the future and Communication Officer, HPA) Ashworth (Postdoctoral Development you have already, and what skills decided to focus on this area. For rounded off the talks from the Officer, University of Manchester). do you need to develop to get the his first postdoctoral position he perspective of a researcher who After some lively discussion, workshop job you want? She emphasized the identified a big research group made a definite decision to move delegates and speakers carried on importance of reflecting carefully on and used email and networking from a PhD at the Institute for networking over a buffet and wine what you might want from a career – to approach them. His choice of Animal Health to a career outside reception. The External Relations likes and dislikes about work, what second post was guided by several the lab. She outlined her current Office is very grateful to our chair, you are good at, what makes you get considerations: what skills he needed role and described the variety of speakers and panel members for their up in the morning and, importantly, to develop, which group had the work it involves (dealing with contribution to the success of this event what you want to avoid. Belinda then funding to make appointments and press enquiries, briefing journalists, and to ScienceCareers.org for their highlighted the direct skills that a PhD whether or not to work overseas for a organizing interviews with experts, sponsorship. researcher develops and identified period of time. Again, networking (at writing press releases, articles and key transferable skills that may not be an SGM meeting) helped to secure a reports and editing technical pieces immediately obvious (troubleshooting, job. Paul gave an honest assessment for a non-technical audience). Lucy Further information strategic planning, and project of the pros and cons of postdoctoral identified the skills she developed www.grad.ac.uk – resources to support postgraduate researchers and information management). She encouraged the research and advised on how to make during her PhD (writing, presentation about GRADSchools audience to take time out to develop the most of it – have a purpose, don’t and technical, practical skills) and skills by taking full advantage of the drift into it and take advantage of then found ways to gain some diverse www.sciencecareers.org – job postings, postgraduate development courses any opportunities offered. Paul’s talk non-research based experience career tools from NextWave, grant that all universities offer and also illustrated how an enthusiasm for that would help in her future job- information, CV database, workshops and career events going on a GRADschool course. research coupled with planning and hunting. She became a Researcher She also suggested strategies to balanced decision-making can result in Residence – developing teaching www.biotechnologyYES.co.uk Photo.com / Jupiter Images acquire new skills such as teaching, in an academic post. and communication skills to a school www.researchersinresidence.ac.uk/rir/

88 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 89 hotoffthepress

Science writer Meriel Jones takes a look at some recent distinguish between the different causes A new bioinsecticide Some of the most serious agricultural of substrates between the two species, of the disease, but molecular typing can. against Colorado beetle pests are insects, making agricultural as well as very low DNA–DNA papers in SGM journals which highlight new and exciting A collaboration between Yuri Chistov scientists always interested in anything relatedness and differences in their (Russia), Eileen Murphy (Ireland) and Martin, P.A.W., Gundersen-Rindal, that kills them while not harming plants toxicity to insects. The researchers were developments in microbiological research. researchers in the UK has allowed D., Blackburn, M. & Buyer, J. (2007). or people. A few bacterial species have particularly pleased to discover that, a study of five Iron-Age individuals Chromobacterium subtsugae sp. nov., a insecticidal properties and researchers although C. violaceum had no effect, a recovered from a cemetery in Siberia. betaproteobacterium toxic to Colorado at the USDA are keen to add to this small amount of the violet bacteria put This part of the world has one of the potato beetle and other insect pests. number. They became interested in Colorado potato beetle larvae off their Iron-Age TB oldest traditions of pastoralism and so Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 57, 993–999. brightly coloured bacteria isolated food. Often the first sign that bacteria might have seen some of the earliest from soil gathered beneath hemlock are toxic to insects is feeding inhibition. Taylor, G.M., Murphy, E., Hopkins, R., Rutland, P. & Chistov, Y. (2007). First report . Colorado potato beetle larva (2nd instar). cases of TB. Lesions on vertebrae on Peggy Greb trees (Tsuga canadensis) in the Catoctin Colorado beetle is a very serious pest of Mycobacterium bovis DNA in human remains from the Iron Age. Microbiology all the five skeletons indicated at least Mountains, Maryland, USA. The of potato crops. It originated in the 153, 1243–1249. the possibility that these people had bacteria were an unusual violet colour. USA, but has now spread to many Tuberculosis has been a serious disease some confidence about the disease in suffered from TB. Being aware that pigment-producing potato-growing regions, including for thousands of years. It is usually ancient populations. Researchers are bacteria often have a reputation for most of Europe, the Middle East and Michael Taylor and Richard caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium also now convinced that the DNA from producing antibiotics and at times seem central Asia. It has developed resistance Hopkins (Imperial College of Science, tuberculosis, although several other Mycobacterium species can survive to have the genetic capacity to produce to most major insecticides, so new Technology and Medicine), and Paul closely related species within the M. for thousands of years and still be insecticides, the team embarked on control methods are needed. The purple Rutland (University College London), tuberculosis (MTB) complex can also detectable within bone, and the very a series of tests to both identify the bacteria were also toxic to several other working in a laboratory where research cause illness. One of these is M. bovis, sensitive polymerase chain reaction can bacterial species and test whether it had species of insect pests. on TB had never been conducted which more usually infects cattle and be used to retrieve short sequences of any insecticidal properties. before, carried out two completely The researchers therefore propose that other animals. This source of disease ancient DNA. To be confident that the separate sets of analyses of DNA from Many features of the bacteria matched they have found the type strain of a is now rare in countries like the UK DNA is not contaminated with modern the bones. The researchers tested for those of Chromobacterium violaceum, but novel species of Chromobacterium, called where herds and milk have been tested molecules, researchers have learnt to two markers specific to all members others differed substantially, indicating a C. subtsugae. Its insecticidal properties since the 1930s. Without these control take a series of very careful precautions. of the MTB complex as well as others novel species. For example, there were are certain to be the subject of further measures, there would be many more These include repeating the analyses on that distinguish between strains and significant differences in the utilization study. infections caused by drinking or eating separate extracts of the bone specimens species, and had success with DNA milk and animal products. in at least two separate laboratories. from four of the five individuals. The As well as the lungs, TB can damage The importance of TB means that markers indicated, for the first time, Vaccinia virus fights back known, and the researchers were working on one protein bones. Exactly the same type of lesions several molecular methods have been that the DNA was from M. bovis rather called N1 that contributes to the virulence of the virus in some Cooray, S., Bahar, M.W., Abrescia, N.G.A., McVey, C.E., have been found on ancient skeletons developed to identify individual than M. tuberculosis, found in all other way. The breakthrough in understanding its function came Bartlett, N.W., Chen, R. A.-J., Stuart, D.I., Grimes, J.M. & and in modern patients, allowing MTB strains from modern patients. archaeological remains so far. These after they worked out the three-dimensional structure of the Smith, G.L. (2007). Functional and structural studies of the palaeopathologists to speculate with Examining bone lesions cannot semi-nomadic, Iron-Age pastoralists N1 protein. Despite many technical improvements, this is still vaccinia virus virulence factor N1 reveals a Bcl-2-like anti- would probably have been infected by a challenging process. It involved producing and purifying a apoptotic protein. J Gen Virol 88, 1656–1666. raw milk or poorly cooked meat from substantial amount of modified N1 protein, and then inducing their cattle or other domestic animals One strategy used by animals to combat virus infections it to form crystals. Finally, tuneable X-ray sources were used to such as goats or sheep. A further insight is apoptosis, the programmed destruction of infected cells, reveal the hidden three-dimensional protein structure, helped from the molecular analysis was that the which prevents multiplication of the virus and so restricts by a series of computer analyses of the data. strains had several hallmarks of ‘classic’ infection. Apoptosis requires activation of a series of proteins M. bovis, indicating that its features have that disassemble the cell components and dispose of them Remarkably, the structure of N1 closely resembled that of Bcl-x , a human cellular protein within the Bcl-2 protein existed for at least 2,000 years. neatly. Many viruses have evolved ways to evade this defensive L manoeuvre and several of them produce anti-apoptotic family, which includes individual members with both pro- The researchers hope in the future to proteins that interfere with apoptosis. Proteins are formed and anti-apoptotic functions. There was even a groove on continue the molecular characterization from linear chains of amino acids that are frequently similar the surface of N1 very like a groove in anti-apoptotic family of M. bovis strains from these in order and chemical nature to proteins of similar function. members that binds to pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, so pastoralists. This should not only Indeed, several viral anti-apoptotic proteins have been inhibiting their function. Once the similarity of N1 and Bcl-2 enable them to place the strains more identified through the similarity of their amino acid sequence proteins was known, the researchers tested whether the N1 accurately within the evolutionary to other proteins with known anti-apoptotic properties. protein was able to block apoptosis. They showed this was the scheme for the bovine lineage of the However, researchers at Imperial College London and the case during virus infection and also when the N1 protein was MTB complex, but may even help with University of Oxford have now identified a viral protein expressed on its own. Lastly, they showed that N1 bound to improving current genotyping tools for where the three-dimensional structure, rather than amino some pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins. modern isolates of M. bovis. acid sequence, was the key to identifying its function. This result is a convincing example that strong evolutionary b Large abscess cavities in the bodies of Vaccinia virus is used to vaccinate against smallpox and pressure can drive retention of a particular functional three- LV3 and LV4 of skeleton XXXI.34 (25- to 35-year-old female). Scale bar, 5 cm. produces many proteins that affect the immune response of dimensional structure, regardless of amino acid sequence, as Mike Taylor human cells. The precise function of many of these is not well as explaining more about how vaccinia virus works.

90 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 91 goingpublic

Gonorrhoea in court In the early stages of your career and annoyed by how your area Martin, I.M.C., Foreman, E., Hall, V., of science is portrayed in the media? You don’t have to fume Nesbitt, A., Forster, G. & Ison, C.A. (2007). Non-cultural detection and in silence. There is a network of people out there who feel the molecular genotyping of Neisseria same about their subject. And as Frances Downey describes, gonorrhoeae from a piece of clothing. J Med Microbiol 56, 487–490. there are even training workshops to help you make your voice The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae heard where it counts. causes gonorrhoea, a disease which is almost exclusively transmitted during sexual intercourse. Although tests What do you mean requiring cultures of the bacterium are considered to be best for a definitive diagnosis, molecular methods relying ‘Stand up for science’? on only bacterial DNA are improving BananaStock / Jupiter Images in sensitivity and specificity. These www.senseaboutscience.org/voys can permit detection and typing of N. gonorrhoeae in situations where the On Friday 18 May 2007, Sense About Science will be of challenges out there in public debate, and, despite big bacterium cannot be cultured. For running a Standing Up for Science media workshop with improvements, still not enough scientists taking them on. medico-legal cases there is a need the SGM. This event, focused on biological sciences and You just have to identify the opportunity. It is unlikely a to not only confirm the presence of bioengineering, will be the eighth in a hugely successful journalist will call you to ask what you think about a new N. gonorrhoeae, but to prove a link, series of workshops, the attendees of which have national policy, but that does not mean you cannot tell or the absence of one, between the contributed to the Sense About Science VoYS (Voice of them yourself: write a letter to the national newspapers; strains isolated from each individual. Young Science) Network. This workshop follows the launch work out how to interest local and regional media in the DNA markers therefore need be of the VoYS Network’s first publication – Standing up for subject; contact your university or learned society magazine; selected so that they accumulate Science, a guide to the media by early career researchers for and offer to write articles from an early career researcher variation sufficiently rapidly to exclude early career researchers. The guide includes personal stories perspective. unlinked individuals who happen to from researchers about their experiences with the media, But also think beyond the more familiar territory. Science suffer from gonorrhoea, while still explanations from leading journalists about what they do is used to selling us face creams, remedies, food, taxes, allowing identification of individuals (and how they do it) and top tips from university press cuts, health initiatives; does the information we are given who are sexual contacts or part of a Staff at the UK Government’s Health previous records of this type, both officers. It has proved very popular – in just a few months come from sound, evidence-based science? Time and again short transmission chain. A database of Protection Agency Centre for Infections from London in 2004. However, since over 10,000 postgrad and postdoc students have been sent these claims are dressed up in the clothes of science and suitable DNA markers for N. gonorrhoeae and the Forensic Science Service in NG-MAST has a relatively small number their own copy; 19,000 more have downloaded it from London, collaborating with colleagues of records, it is impossible to know are misleading the public, and yet we allow them to go acceptable in a court of law is not yet the Sense About Science website. One consequence of the available. However, researchers have a in the London NHS Trust, used DNA whether particular molecular types are uncontended. The government bans full fat milk in primary workshop and guide is that more early career researchers database from two of the bacterium’s markers, supported by biochemical shared because they are common in a schools over health fears for young children; a homeopathic than ever are contacting Sense About Science to talk about most variable genes containing and immunological tests, to confirm geographical area, or because the two remedy claims to treat asthma; a supermarket removes how to promote good evidence to the public and stand up information on over 4,000 different that a strain of N. gonorrhoeae obtained cases are truly linked. The strength MSG from all of its own products. What are these claims for science. strains. This is the N. gonorrhoeae from a vaginal swab of a child was of this evidence was not tested in based on? Shouldn’t we, the up and coming generation multi-antigen sequence typing database indistinguishable using NG-MAST court because the man changed his But what does it mean to ‘stand up for science’? It’s all very of scientists, find out? Let’s start asking some awkward (NG-MAST), but since the strains were from the DNA found on the underwear plea to guilty when presented with well feeling passionate about science and wanting to defend questions and get to the bottom of these claims. The collected during specific studies, they of a man suspected of sexual abuse. the evidence. The researchers are its principles, but who is really going to want to talk to an decisions we make about how we live and how our society do not give a complete picture of all Bacteria cultured from the swab could now reviewing the number and type early career scientist (unless the discussion is specifically governs itself should not pander to exaggerated claims, but the types present within a particular be identified by conventional tests as of supplementary tests that might be about their own research) when there are so many high be grounded in clear, evidence-based science. At Sense geographical area. However, researchers N. gonorrhoeae. After extracting DNA necessary to make the results sufficiently profile scientists out there? Look at the current debate About Science we have discovered that when scientists are were recently faced with a request for from the bacteria and stained regions robust for use in courts. around the use of hybrid and chimera embryos in stem cell prepared to stand up and make their voices heard, it does N. gonorrhoeae confirmation that of the underwear, both were tested research. You may have insights into how this will affect make a difference. So get vocal, join our VoYS Network, utilized NG-MAST, and provided the for DNA markers. The analysis using m Coloured scanning electron micrograph research and views on whether proposed regulations are apply for the workshop and start your letter writing, phoning first reported typing of gonococcal NG-MAST showed that all the samples of Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria (blue) coherent, but who do you think most journalists will want and visiting. DNA from clothing for medico-legal were from the same sequence type of infecting a human epithelial cell (purple). to talk to? You, or Dr Stephen Minger, director of the Stem Frances Downey reasons. N. gonorrhoeae. There were only two Science Photo Library Cell Biology Laboratory at King’s College London? (e [email protected]/voys) Well, even if the answer is Dr Stephen Minger (and it isn’t Copies of the Standing up for Science leaflet are available always!), should you just leave it at that and hide away in from the External Relations Office of the SGM (e pa@sgm. your lab? No! Of course you shouldn’t – there are a lot ac.uk)

92 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 93 b Miriam Banner, a PhD student from the University of Manchester, Staphylococcus GBI ’06 receiving her Communication Prize from Professor Henri Verbrugh at the Staphylococcus GBI ’06 conference held at the University of conference Liverpool. Mal Horsburgh

11–12 April, University of Liverpool m Michael Ravensdale, winner of the SGM/SfAM Communication Members’ Prize at the Birnham Institute, with the two runners-up, Mary Illes This was the third conference held to bring together the (Oxford) and Lauren Ryder (Exeter). Leighton Pritchard sizeable Staphylococcus research community from Great Britain and Ireland. To enhance the freshness of the science, the Molecular Biology of Plant emphasis was on talks by junior researchers and successfully Pathogens 2006 reports demonstrated their excellent presentation skills and the high- quality science they were doing in this field. 25 talks covered 18–20 September, Birnham Institute 2006 All Wales SfAM/SGM microbiology in the regions grants provide a diversity of topics, ranging from vaccine development to host–pathogen interactions and structural biology of coloni- Over 70 delegates, including some 40 students or postdocs, Microbiology support for one- to two-day microbiology meetings. zation factors to MRSA in companion animals. Several pre- heard a series of presentations on a wide range of plant Meeting sentations by postdocs stood out for the quality of their pathogens. This event started life as a Molecular Biology of These events can either be on a special topic or held science and presentation style, notably Jorge Garcia-Lara Fungal Plant Pathogens get-together and the group con- 20–22 March, Gregynog from the University of Sheffield who described his elegant tinues to be strongly represented. However, talks on bacteria Hall, Powys, Wales by local microbiology groups. The scheme has proved studies on the functional determination of essential gene (Pectobacterium, Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas), phytoplasma popular, as shown by the following accounts of some products in S. aureus. Two further excellent talks were given and nematodes (Longidorus, Globodera) were also delivered. 58 participants from the universities by Tony Loughman and Mághnus O’Séaghdha from Trinity The vast majority of the talks were by students and post- of Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff and events in the past year. For full details of the scheme, College Dublin on the activation of platelets by S. aureus and doctoral scientists and included a series of breathless 8- Swansea, as well as researchers from the interaction between protein A from S. aureus and von minute presentations by workers in the earliest stages of their the Institute of Grassland and Environ- see www.sgm.ac.uk/grants/sfamsgm.cfm Willebrand factor, respectively. They highlighted our rapidly projects. ment Research at Aberystwyth, attend- improving knowledge regarding the complexity of host–S. Social events included a talk entitled Beer today, champagne ed the meeting. After an ice-breaking aureus interactions. tomorrow from Chris Ridout (John Innes Centre) on a play and intriguing microbiology quiz host- (University of Warwick) described sea marine organisms to emit light. The SfAM/SGM Communication Prize was awarded to recently performed at the British Association Science Festival ed by Greg Jones (a PhD student at the nucleotide-sequence-based typing The SfAM/SGM competition for Miriam Banner, a PhD student from the University of in Norwich. It explored some of the issues associated with Swansea) on the first evening, there were method of Multilocus Sequencing the best presentation by a young Manchester. She described the increasing problem of noso- climate change by assessing whether land in Norfolk currently five scientific sessions covering topics Typing and how he has used it to track microbiologist was judged by Tony comial infection by S. epidermidis via in-dwelling devices and used to grow barley might, in the event of significant global in clinical, environmental and industrial the epidemic spread of Burkholderia Campbell and Paul Dyson (University the continuing search for structures involved in adhesion and warming, be used for growing grapes. The play itself was a microbiology. Of the 25 presentations, cepacia complex infections in cystic of Swansea). The judges agreed that biofilm formation. Her careful and thorough studies identified collaboration between experts in plant biology, soil sciences 19 were from a mixture of postdoctoral fibrosis patients. Brian Jones (Uni- the standards of presentation had been the localization and composition of fibrillar appendages that and climate change modelling. Chris outlined the issues researchers and PhD students and 5 versity of Cork) presented research excellent throughout the meeting but were observed by scanning electron microscopy. involved in staging a major Public Understanding of Science from invited speakers. from his first postdoctoral position awarded the prize to Prysor Williams, a A plenary talk at the conference was delivered by Professor exercise of this nature as well as some of the benefits. The Kevin Ashelford (Cardiff University) examining the microbial metagenome third year PhD student at the University Henri Verbrugh, a clinician from the Erasmus Medical Centre talk was followed by an opportunity to sample the beverages opened the meeting with a valuable present in the human gut and des- of Bangor for describing his studies on at the University of Rotterdam who gave an engaging over- being discussed in the form of a local beer (Lia Fail from talk on the quality of 16S rRNA gene cribed the complexities of creating the role of earthworms as potential view of the history, the importance and his own current the Inveralmond brewery in Perth) and cava (as the MBPP sequences available in the databases. and screening large-scale genomic vectors for the enteric bacterial patho- investigations of nasal colonization by S. aureus. Via studies budget would not – even with SGM/SfAM support – stretch He described how at least 5 % of the libraries. Finally, Tony Campbell gen Escherichia coli O157. in the 1960s to determine the extent and anatomical location to champagne!). deposited sequences were often inac- (Cardiff University) gave an absolutely We thank the two societies for of S. aureus carriage, he brought us right up to date with The SfAM/SGM Communication Prize was won by curate chimeras from two or more ‘glowing’ after-dinner talk on the use of providing a Regional Meeting Grant to recent work to find host determinants that increase carriage Michael Ravensdale from SCRI for his presentation entitled organisms and also talked about bioluminescence in microbiology and assist with the costs of inviting speakers and factors that might account for why some individuals Phytotoxins and suppression of resistance: new mechanisms the software tools which he has the science which has resulted from his and hosting the meeting. are carriers while others show intermittent or no carriage. of disease induction in the plant pathogen Erwinia carotovora developed to identify such problematic pioneering discovery of the proteins Gareth Griffith & Erasmus MC has the only licensed human nasal colonization subsp. atroseptica. sequences. Chris Wright (University which enable jellyfish and other deep- Eshwar Mahenthiralingam model in the world which is used for the study of strains of The organizers would like to express their gratitude to of Swansea) presented his group’s S. aureus with mutations in putative colonization factors in SGM and SfAM for supporting the meeting and enabling research on using Atomic Force m Left. All participants in the 2006 All Wales Microbiology Meeting in front of Gregynog Hall. order to determine host and bacterial aspects of carriage. the hire of a wonderful venue (The Birnam Institute). We Microscopy as a nanotechnology for Gareth Griffith Overall the conference was a tremendous success and plans look forward to welcoming workers in the field to the next probing microbial structure and inter- m Right. Prysor Williams receiving his Communication Prize from Professor Tony Campbell. are already underway to hold a further meeting in 2008. meeting in Bath. actions with surfaces. Adam Baldwin Gareth Griffith Mal Horsburgh Leighton Pritchard & John Jones

94 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 95 reviews

If you would like your name to be added to our database of Communicating Science – captions speak for themselves, the over-obvious, whilst other suggestions A Practical Guide average reader would find it difficult are simply unrealistic (engaging a book reviewers, please complete the book reviewer interests to predict what might be revealed in personal coach to advise us on our body By P. Laszlo Ideographic vs. nomothetic, whilst language is not an option open to most form at www.sgm.ac.uk. A classified compendium of reviews Published by Springer-Verlag GmbH & readers fast-forwarding to the enticingly people). The presentation of the material Co. KG (2006) entitled section on Seduction might as short vignettes means that the from 1996 to the present is also available on the website. £16.62 pp. 214 be disappointed. The section on The author has a tendency to give all topics ISBN 3-54031-919-0 necessary reconstruction (surprisingly approximately equal weighting, so some As a veteran of numerous talks in filed under T!) in fact contains some subjects do not get the coverage that writing this book, an intriguing organisms. The penultimate chapter draughty village halls and hands-on useful tips on the use of anecdote and they would merit if the content were Streptomyces in Nature narrative when communicating science organized in a more conventional way. and Medicine: The narrative that interweaves the histories in the book discusses two of the first, science events for over-excited 10- of natural product discovery, bacterial and most fearsome, actinomycetes to year-olds, I was looking forward to to the public, but might be overlooked Other sections could have been omitted Antibiotic Makers genetics and Streptomyces biology with be discovered, Mycobacterium leprae reading this book. I was interested to because of the opaqueness of its title. without major detriment, particularly those dealing with the niceties of By D.A. Hopwood an account of his own 50-year career. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. From a see what Laszlo, a respected science Adding to the confusion is the decision English grammar, which are dealt with Published by Oxford University Press We learn that when David began personal point of view it was satisfying communicator, had to say about this to organize the book into two main more effectively in specialist texts. (2007) studying the streptomycetes, it was to discover how (and why) the nine- important subject. Also, as the book was parts, corresponding to the type of £29.99 pp. 272 still unclear if they were bacteria or plated armadillo became the model subtitled A Practical Guide, I was hoping communication task at hand: addressing Overall, the book contains some useful ISBN 0-19515-066-X eukaryotes. At the time it was thought organism of choice for growing to pick up some tips to improve my peers, the general public (plus a third tips that could point the novice science that these organisms, with their strange M. leprae! own skills in science communication. briefer section on how to inform communicator in the right direction, This book tells the remarkable story of life cycles featuring mycelial growth decision-makers). Inevitably this leads but I do not think that it offers much to David Hopwood’s career, spent studying This is a big story crammed into a Beginning enthusiastically at p. 1 and sporulation, might represent relatively short book (at only 250 (Abstract), I was initially confused to to duplication. the more experienced practitioner. a single genus of bacteria, Streptomyces. an intermediate between the two pages). There are inevitably a few reach Conclusion on p. 9 (via Acronyms Leaving aside the organizational flaws, Sue Assinder, University of Wales David is a former president of the SGM Kingdoms. It was David, along with things I would have liked to hear about and Body language) without passing the content takes a commendably and was Professor of Genetics at the the crystallographer Audrey Glauert, that are missing from the book. Most Introduction en route. It was at this wide-ranging view of communication, University of East Anglia and the John who determined that streptomycetes Reviews on the web notably how David felt on receiving a point that it belatedly dawned on me embracing the after-dinner speech, Innes Centre (JIC) for 40 years, until are true bacteria, quickly concluding Reviews of the following books are knighthood for services to science in that the sections were organized in conference presentation, keynote his official retirement in 1998. He is that they had evolved their growth form available on the website at www.sgm. 1994. I’m sure this was omitted due alphabetical order. Admittedly, I would lecture, magazine article, research still Professor Emeritus at the JIC and independently of the fungi. ac.uk/pubs/micro_today/reviews.cfm has spent the time since his retirement to natural modesty, with the science have been forewarned of this fact if proposal, press release and obituary. Handbook of Microbiological Media for Over the next 40 years the always coming first. Overall this is my enthusiasm had not caused me to Laszlo is a professional scientist, with the Examination of Food, 2nd edition streptomycetes became model an extremely well written book, with skip the Preface. However, it is this extensive experience in authoring and organisms for studying complex a clear and concise narrative that is organizational quirk that, for me, is the editing papers and popular science Advanced Quantitative Microbiology morphological development in bacteria. immensely readable. I would highly greatest weakness of this book. books. In some sections, he allows this for Foods and Biosystems Models for This, along with their well documented recommend it to anyone with an interest The essential problem is that knowing knowledge and experience of the field Predicting Growth and Inactivation in the history of bacteriology, microbial to shine through, and this is when the importance as producers of useful how the book is organized does not Handbook of Hygiene Control in the genetics or antibiotics (which probably book is at its best, written in a style secondary metabolites, makes them a make it any easier to use. In particular, Food Industry covers just about all SGM members!). which is entertaining and engaging. truly remarkable group of bacteria. As the organization detracts from the In situ Remediation Engineering we learn from this first hand account, It is also essential reading for anyone book’s usefulness for the novice However, there are many parts where Mycology, Volume 1 (DVD) David was central to the development working on Streptomyces. I spent 4 reader who would benefit from being the style is laboured and the choice of genetic tools for manipulating these years as a postdoc at the JIC working presented with a logical overview of of words apparently aimed more at Science of Microscopy, Volumes I and II on S. coelicolor genetics and ended up impressing than communicating. In the weird and wonderful bacteria, using the topic, rather than being forced to New Treatment Strategies for Dengue totally hooked. It is satisfying to read section on Vocabulary, Laszlo states that the model streptomycete Streptomyces navigate their own way through a rather and other Flaviviral Diseases this book and learn that we, together he aims to use a ‘learned, seldom-used coelicolor. He describes the advances bewildering array of intertwined and Oral Microbiology and Immunology in Streptomyces genetics, from the early with colleagues in the worldwide overlapping topics. There is nothing word’ every 2000 words or so on the Bacterial–Epithelial Cell Cross-talk: days of bacterial mating, gene mapping Streptomyces community, are continuing wrong in principle with writing a book basis that any reader loves to learn a new Molecular Mechanisms in Pathogenesis and chromosome analysis experiments, the story. In an age when many students with the intention that the reader word. This may be a worthy aspiration, all the way through to the completion of consider papers more than 10 years old dips into it, rather than reading it but the fact that I needed to resort to Phagocytosis of Bacteria and Bacterial the genome sequence at the beginning to be out of date, this should perhaps from cover to cover. However, this a dictionary (aporia, a philosophical Pathogenicity be compulsory reading for new PhD of this century. He also devotes several approach requires careful signposting puzzle) served just to irritate me. MRSA in Practice chapters to the actinomycetes, the group students. Learning about the history so that the reader can easily identify The book claims to be geared to ‘anyone and development of microbiology is Functioning of Microphytobenthos in to which Streptomyces belongs. The first material of potential interest. Although having to convert scientific data into an Estuaries chapter describes their importance as both satisfying and inspiring, and I hope the author claims that the Table of easily intelligible and interesting narrative’. Handbook of Media for Clinical antibiotic producers while the second that in 40 years time I can look back on contents serves also as an index, it is However, in trying to appeal to a broad Microbiology discusses the spread of antibiotic my career with the same pleasure and not always obvious what the reader audience, it loses its focus. Although resistance genes, now widely believed satisfaction that David clearly feels. might find in each section. Whilst those some of the practical advice is helpful, Coffee House Notes on Virology to have originated in the producing Matt Hutchings, University of East Anglia entitled Bibliography, and Figures and some of it veers towards the trivial or Fundamentals of Molecular Virology

96 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 97 obituary addresses

Thomas Henry Flewett council06–07 Officers Members President – Prof. Robin Weiss Prof. Mike R. Barer Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, 46 Cleveland Street, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, (29.06.1922–12.12.2006) London W1T 4JF Medical Sciences Building, PO Box 138, University Road, Leicester LE2 4FF t–0207 679 9554;–f–0207 679 9555;–e–[email protected] t–0116 252 2933;–f–0116 252 5030;–e–[email protected] Treasurer – Prof. Colin R. Harwood Prof. Lorna A. Casselton School of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle Medical School, Dept of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB Thomas Henry Flewett MD, FRCPath, FRCP and Consultant Emeritus, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH t–01865 275109;–f–01865 275074;–e–[email protected] t–0191 222 7708;–f–0191 222 7736;–e–colin.harwood@ was formerly Consultant Virologist at East Birmingham Hospital. Tom ncl.ac.uk Prof. Neil A. R. Gow General Secretary – Dr Ulrich Desselberger School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, c/o SGM Headquarters Aberdeen AB25 2ZD was born in India where his father worked for the Indian Civil Service. e–[email protected] or [email protected] t–01224 555879;–f–01224 555844;–e–[email protected] He was educated at Campbell College, Belfast and graduated with Scientific Meetings Officer – Prof. Hilary M. Lappin-Scott Prof. Iain M. Hagan Dept of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX honours in medicine from Queen’s University in 1945. After periods Exeter EX4 4QD t–0161 446 8193;–f–0161 446 3109;–e–[email protected] f–01392 263434;–e–[email protected] Dr Richard M. Hall working at NIMR, Mill Hill and as a Lecturer at University of Leeds, International Secretary – Prof. George P. C. Salmond Gene Expression & Protein Biochemistry Dept, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Dept of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Building O, New Frontiers Science Park, Third Avenue, Harlow, Essex CM19 5AW he was appointed Director of the newly established Regional Virus Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 1QW t–0127 962 7172;–f–0127 962 7014;–e–[email protected] t–01223 333650;–f–01223 766108;–e–[email protected] Prof. Nicholas H. Mann Laboratory at East Birmingham Hospital. Here his interests in virus Professional Affairs Officer – Dr Geoffrey C. Schild Dept of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL e–[email protected] t–024 76 523526;–f–024 76 523701;–e–[email protected] diseases and electron microscopy led him to provide a comprehensive Education Officer – Dr Susan J. Assinder Prof. Tony C. Minson Academic Development Unit, University of Wales – Bangor, Trefenai, Division of Virology, Dept of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, service and into research on the viral causes of childhood diarrhoea, an School of Education, Normal Site, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2PZ Cambridge CB2 1QP t–01248 382604;–f–01248 370731;–e–[email protected] t–01223 336920;–f–01223 336926;–e–[email protected] important and worldwide problem. It was also to make his reputation. Editor, Microbiology Today – Dr Matt Hutchings Dr Catherine O’Reilly School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Dept of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Norwich NR4 7TJ Waterford, Ireland Norwalk virus had been discovered in the US in 1971 and Naturally short-sighted, he wore thick-rimmed glasses and, t–01603 592257;–e–[email protected] t–+353 51 302858;–f–+353 51 378292;–e–[email protected] other, larger viruses had been seen in gut biopsies in Australia. like many with the same difficulty when asked to examine Editor-in-Chief, Microbiology – Prof. Charles J. Dorman Prof. Petra C. F. Oyston Dept of Microbiology, Moyne Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland TL Molecular Bacteriology, Dstl, B07A Microbiology, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ Tom showed that these latter viruses could be seen readily by something such as an EM negative, he shifted his glasses down t–+353 1 608 2013;–f–+353 1 679 9294;–e–[email protected] t–01980 613641;–f–01980 614307;–e–[email protected] EM in stool extracts and, from their wheel-like appearance, his nose and peered over the lenses. This gave him the air of Editor-in-Chief, JGV – Prof. Geoffrey L. Smith Prof. Rick E. Randall called them rotaviruses – a name now used everywhere. an inquisitive bird, an impression reinforced by a crisp inci- Dept of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, School of Biology, Biomolecular Sciences Building, University of St Andrews, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST Other viruses (e.g. adenoviruses, caliciviruses, astroviruses) sive manner and speech in short and rather jerky phrases. t–0207 594 3972;–f–0207 594 3973;–e–[email protected] t–01334 463397;–f–01334 462595;–e–[email protected] were also noted, but it was his work on rotaviruses that made Within his own laboratory, he was tolerant of people, but Editor-in-Chief, JMM – Prof. Ian R. Poxton Prof. Bert K. Rima Medical Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, the greatest impact. Similar rotaviruses were found in the intolerant of mistakes, and known to all as someone who loved College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The Chancellor’s Building, The Queen’s University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL diarrhoeal stools of virtually every animal species in which gadgets. He was a born tinkerer, and electron microscopy Room SU311, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB t–028 9097 5858;–f–028 9097 5877;–e–[email protected] t–0131 242 9122;–f–0131 242 9122;–e–[email protected] they were sought. Tom was in the thick of this research that with its mystique and its machinery suited his temperament Prof. Katherine A. Smart Division of Food Science, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, involved collaborators in many countries, many of who visited, exactly. Whenever his microscope developed a fault, the coat Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD and often worked in, his laboratory, which was designated was off, the tools were out and the column stripped. Very few t–01159 516214;–f–01159 516162;–e–[email protected] as a WHO Reference and Research Centre for Rotavirus had his level of technical knowledge or were so capable of groupconveners Infections from 1980 until his retirement in 1987. doing maintenance on their own microscope. Cells & Cell Surfaces – Dr Ian R. Henderson Fermentation & Bioprocessing – Prof. Chris J. Hewitt Tom’s work on rotaviruses brought him international fame Outside the laboratory, his other great love was golf. At his Division of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham Medical School, Dept of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT t–01509 222503;–e–[email protected] both as a virologist and as an electron microscopist. He was, best, he had a handicap of 2 and he remained competitive t–0121 414 4368;–f–0121 414 3599;–e–[email protected] Food & Beverages – Prof. Bob A. Rastall inter alia, a World Health Organization consultant in Spain, well into retirement, confirmed by the trophy boards at Mose- Clinical Microbiology – Prof. Dlawer Ala’Aldeen Dept of Food Biosciences, University of Reading, PO Box 226, Reading RG6 6AP Molecular Bacteriology and Immunology Group, Division of Microbiology, t–0118 378 6726;–f–0118 931 0080;–e–[email protected] Kenya, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Brazil, Mexico – all countries ley Golf Club being peppered with his name. He won their School of Molecular Medical Sciences, University Hospital, Nottingham NG7 2UH Irish Branch – Dr Evelyn Doyle in which childhood diarrhoea was, and is, a major problem. Seniors’ Trophy in 1990 and the Over-70s Cup in 1992. t–0115 823 0748/0771 (secretary);–f–0115 823 0759;–e–[email protected] School of Biology and Environmental Science, Ardmore House, Clinical Virology – Prof. Judy Breuer University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland He was Chairman of the WHO Steering Committee on Viral Tom was a major force in the development of British diag- ICMS Centre for Infectious Disease, Barts and the London Medical School, t–+353 1716 1300;–f–+353 1716 1183;–e–[email protected] Diarrhoeal Diseases, 1990–93, and a Member until 1996. He nostic virology at the time when it led the world in routine 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT Microbial Infection – Dr Nick Dorrell was in demand as a consultant, external examiner, visiting diagnosis. His working life covered the time when it was all t–0207 882 2308;–f–0207 882 2181;–e–[email protected] Pathogen Molecular Biology Unit, Dept of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Education & Training – Prof. Joanna Verran London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT lecturer and journal editor, as well as a friend and helpful new and exciting, and his contribution to virus diagnosis by Dept of Biological Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, t–0207 927 2838;–f–0207 637 4314;–e–[email protected] colleague. He was also a member of the Board of the Public electron microscopy cannot be over-emphasized. He showed Manchester M1 5GD Physiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics – Prof. George P. C. Salmond t–0161 247 1206;–f–0161 247 6325;–e–[email protected] Dept of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Building O, Health Laboratory Service from 1977 to 1983 and Chairman what could be done by dedication, underpinned by sound Environmental Microbiology – Prof. Geoffrey M. Gadd Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 1QW of the PHLS Committee on Electron Microscopy from 1977 technical knowledge, and made it fun. Division of Environmental and Applied Biology, Biological Sciences Institute, t–01223 333650;–f–01223 766108;–e–[email protected] School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN Systematics & Evolution – Prof. Niall A. Logan to 1987. He published over 120 papers on a variety of virolo- Tom and his wife June were excellent hosts, providing hospi- t–01382 344765;–f–01382 348216;–e–[email protected] Dept of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, gical topics, many on the viruses of childhood diarrhoea. tality to the many scientists who visited his laboratory. She Eukaryotic Microbiology – Dr Alastair Goldman Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, t–0141 331 3207/8510 (admin assistant);–f–0141 331 3208;–e–[email protected] The bare factual bones of career do not, though, convey the predeceased him, but two daughters survive them. Sheffield S10 2TN Virus – Prof. Rick E. Randall nature of the man. Small of stature, silver-haired and quick of t–0114 222 2779;–e–[email protected] School of Biology, Biomolecular Sciences Building, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST thought and action, he was a hands-on leader of his laboratory. Alasdair Geddes & Dick Madeley t–01334 463397;–f–01334 462595;–e–[email protected]

98 microbiology today may 07 microbiology today may 07 99 Microbiology Editor-in-Chief

Charles Dorman was recently

invited to chair the BBSRC

UK microbial science review

panel. Here he gives a brief

description of the process. commentreview of uk microbial science

The Biological and Biotechnological future research and to recommend are specific to the discipline, but are Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) mechanisms to promote collaboration largely beyond the control of BBSRC. is the largest funder of non-medical within and among BBSRC Institutes, Naturally, there were differences of microbiology in the United Kingdom. between these Institutes and UK opinion about the best way to capitalize Many readers of Microbiology Today universities, and between BBSRC and on the opportunities while minimizing will be aware that the BBSRC Strategy other funding agencies in the UK and the impact of the treats, and these Board commissioned a review of UK abroad. We were required to consider were reflected in the discussions microbial science and that the 66-page how best to optimize arrangements of the panel. Many microbiologists review document (which makes nine for funding and training in order to enthusiastically embrace the new recommendations) was delivered to support microbiology in the institutes ‘omics’ methodologies, while others are the Strategy Board last September and and the universities and to make sceptical and emphasize the importance published at the end of January 2007. recommendations on how the fruits of of reductionist approaches. There is A review panel was established in microbiological research can best be widespread suspicion of special funding late 2005 and I had the responsibility translated into practical application. initiatives and almost universal support of chairing it. Strenuous efforts A consultation exercise was for a greater emphasis on responsive were made to ensure that the panel carried out in December 2005 among mode funding. membership was representative of the academic, industrial, non-governmental An important lesson concerns the main microbiological constituencies. and other stakeholder organizations. importance of interactions between the It consisted of academic and industrial Over 600 individuals and organizations SGM and BBSRC (and other funders) scientists working with bacteria, viruses, received a 27-question consultation for the benefit of microbiology. BBSRC yeast, filamentous fungi, parasites, document consisting of four sections recognizes the critical role played by and archaea. Thirteen of the 18 panel headed Research and its implications, our learned society nationally and members belonged to SGM with five, Utilization of research, Resources and internationally, and desires greater including the chairman, being members facilities, and Funding. The responses engagement. This is something upon of SGM Council. informed our discussions during a which SGM Council can capitalize in The panel was asked to review series of meetings held in London. the future. research that is currently supported by It rapidly became apparent that BBSRC and to consider its strengths microbiology is a very big subject that Charles Dorman and weaknesses and the opportunities plays and will continue to play a pivotal Department of Microbiology, and threats that it may face over the role in the scientific and economic life Moyne Institute, Trinity College coming 5–10 years. It examined the of the UK. Despite its breadth, broad Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland relationship between BBSRC funding agreement was discernable among its (e [email protected]). of microbiology and funding provided practitioners about its strengths and by other bodies, including other weaknesses, and about the nature of the The Review document is available at research councils and Government risks and opportunities that lie ahead. www.bbsrc.ac.uk/about/pub/reports/06_ departments, and to make this Not all of the issues raised are specific sept_microbialreview.html assessment in an international context to microbiology. Some, such as concerns that took into account the needs of about the quality of students coming industry. Panel members were invited through PhD programmes, affect many to advise on funding priorities for areas of science. Others, such as the perceived reduction in the amount and

m Which way forward? quality of practical training received Please note that views expressed in Comment do not Ablestock / Jupiter Images by microbiology undergraduates necessarily reflect official policy of the SGM Council.

100 microbiology today may 07