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Biology TO Quarterly Magazine of the Society for General MicrobiologY 39:3 AUG 2012 e u ss al i i R harry Smith memo Smith harry 22337_Chloramphenicol Ad_Micro Today_AW:1 11/4/12 17:10 Page 1 CHLORAMPHENICOL
Widely distributed throughout the body, including CSF1 Oral levels comparable to i.v. levels2
3 Cover image
Rarely implicated with C.difficile S Prof. Peter Owen, Features Regulars
Microbiology Department, T Editorial Moyne Institute, Trinity 143 154 N College Dublin 145 News Harry Smith in Birmingham: past recollections and ongoing New Honorary member TE AGM agenda Effective against serious development N … and much more infections including: Charles Penn O 1,2 H. influenzae A personal view of Harry Smith and his legacy at 149 Council 11–12 1,2 Typhoid Birmingham. 150 Microshorts MRSA4 Editor 5 152 Conferences VRSA Dr Paul Hoskisson 156 1,2 170 Gradline Neisseria Editorial Board Pride in a century-long tradition of 1,2 Publish or perish / Legionella Professor Mark Harris microbiology in Birmingham
Collaborate or stagnate 2012 C Rickettsia1,2 Dr Karen Robinson MARK PALLEN & IAN HENDERSON 6-9 Professor Joanna Verran C.difficile As the new Institute of Microbiology and Infection 174 Outreach 1 Managing E. coli opens its doors, how has the legacy of Harry Smith SGM at RHS Chelsea EditoR & DESIGN AUG Ian Atherton been built upon? 176 Policy
Editorial Assistant Interview with Imran Khan, Yvonne Taylor CaSE Abbreviated Prescribing Information respiration and death within a few hours of the onset of symptoms. Chloramphenicol Capsules BP 250mg Overdose: Stop chloramphenicol immediately if signs of adverse events develop. Treatment is mainly supportive. If an allergy develops, address 184 Hot off the Press Presentation: Capsules containing 250mg chloramphenicol BP. oral antihistamines may be used. In severe overdosage e.g. Gray Baby Society for 39:3 Indications: Typhoid fever and life-threatening infections, particularly Syndrome, reduce plasma levels of chloramphenicol rapidly. Resin 160 those caused by Haemophilus Influenzae, where other antibiotics will haemoperfusion (XAD-4) has been reported to substantially increase General Microbiology, 186 Reviews not suffice. chloramphenicol clearance. Molecular mimicry and Posology: For oral administration. Pack size and Price: 60 capsules £377.00 Marlborough House, 188 Comment: Adults and elderly: 50mg/kg body weight daily in 4 divided doses. Legal Category: POM. Basingstoke Road, microbial physiology in neisserial For severe infections (meningitis, septicaemia), this dose may be Market Authorisation Number: PL17736/0075. Don’t destroy research doubled initially, but must be reduced as soon as clinically possible. Market Authorisation Holder: Chemidex Pharma Limited, 7 Egham Spencers Wood, pathogenicity Children: Not recommended. Business Village, Crabtree Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 8RB, UK. Nigel L. Brown Contra-indications: Known hypersensitivity or toxic reaction to Date of preparation: April 2012. Reading RG7 1AG CHRISTOPH TANG & JEFF COLE chloramphenicol or to any of the excipients. Should not be used See Chloramphenicol Summary of Product Characteristics for full tel. 0118 988 1800 for the prophylaxis or treatment of minor infections; during active prescribing information. Harry Smith’s belief in the importance of in immunisation; in porphyria patients; in patients taking drugs liable fax 0118 988 5656 to depress bone marrow function; during pregnancy, labour or by email [email protected] vivo studies led him to the discovery of the key breast-feeding mothers. Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and other features Special warnings and precautions for use: Use only if other treatments information can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. web www.sgm.ac.uk determinants in pathogenesis. are ineffective. Use should be carefully monitored. Reduce dose and monitor plasma levels in hepatic or renal impairment in the elderly and Adverse events should also be reported to Essential 148 SGM journals go in patients concurrently treated with interacting drugs. Generics on 01784 477167. © 2012 Interactions: Chloramphenicol prolongs the elimination, increasing the Society for General mobile blood levels of drugs including warfarin, phenytoin, sulphonylureas, tolbutamide. Doses of anticonvulsants and anticoagulants may need to References Microbiology (SGM) be adjusted if given concurrently. Complex effects (increased/decreased 1. Sweetman S.C. (ed), Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. 149 SGM journals plasma levels) requiring monitoring of chloramphenicol plasma levels [online] London: Pharmaceutical Press ISSN 1464-0570 have been reported with co-administration of penicillins and rifampicin.
Paracetamol prolongs chloramphenicol half-life. Chloramphenicol may 2. Feder, H. Chloramphenicol: What we have learned in the last Decade. 22337 increase the plasma levels of calcineurin inhibitors e.g. ciclosporin Southern Medical Journal. 1986; 79(9): 1129-34. 3. Kelly, C., LaMont, T. Printed by Bacillus anthracis: despite what you 178 F erreting out the and tacrolimus. Barbiturates such as phenobarbitone increase Patient information: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (Clostridium difficile). Latimer Trend & Co. Ltd, the metabolism of chloramphenicol, resulting in reduced plasma www.uptodate.com. (Accessed on 11 August 2011). 4. Fluit, A.C., have heard it’s not all bad facts behind the H5N1 chloramphenicol concentrations. In addition, there may be a decrease Wielders, C.L.C., Verhoef, J., and Schmitz, F.J. Epidemiology and Plymouth, UK in the metabolism of phenobarbitone with concomitant chloramphenicol Susceptibility of 3,051 Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from 25 Les BAILLIE controversy use. There is a small risk that chloramphenicol may reduce the University Hospitals Participating in the European SENTRY Study. contraceptive effect of oestrogens. Chloramphenicol reduces the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 2001; 39(10): 3727-3732. 5. Weigel LM The secret of Bacillus anthracis lies in the potency of response to hydroxocobalamin. Chloramphenicol is contra-indicated et al. High-Level Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) ROY D. SLEATOR in patients taking drugs liable to suppress bone marrow function Associated with a Polymicrobial Biofilm. Antimicrobial Agents and its toxin, the central role of which in anthrax was e.g. carbamazepine, sulphonamides, phenylbutazone, penicillamine, Chemotherapy. Published online ahead of print on 30 October 2006. 181 Deciphering infectious cytotoxic agents, some antipsychotics including clozapine and http://aac.asm.org/cgi/reprint/AAC.00576-06v1.pdf. (Accessed on discovered by Harry Smith. particularly depot antipsychotics, procainamide, nucleoside reverse 22 August 2011). 6. Ensminger, P., Counter, F., Thomas, L., Lebbehuse, diseases transcriptase inhibitors, propylthiouracil. P. Susceptibility, Resistance Development, and Synergy of Antimicrobial Pregnancy and Lactation: The use of chloramphenicol is contra-indicated Combinations Against Clostridium difficile. Current Microbiology. Essential Generics: Chloramphenical Ad B. CHERIE MILLAR & as the drug crosses the placenta and is excreted in breast milk. 1982; 7: 59-62. 7. Poilane, I., Bert, F., Cruaud, P., Nicolas-Chanoine, Effects on ability to drive and use machines: No significant effect MH., Collignon, A. Interest of the disk diffusion method for screening PETER J.A. MOORE on driving ability. Clostridium difficile isolates with decreased susceptibility to antibiotics. Undesirable Effects: Reversible dose related bone marrow depression, PathologieBiologie (Paris). 2007; 55(8-9): 429-33. 8. Cattoir, V., irreversible aplastic anaemia, increased bleeding time, hypersensitivity Ould-Hocine, ZF.,Legrand, P. Antimicrobial susceptibility of Clostridium reactions including allergic skin reactions, optic neuritis leading to difficile clinical isolates collected from 2001 to 2007 in a French CAPSULES The views expressed 166 blindness, ototoxicity, acidotic cardiovascular collapse, nausea, vomiting, university hospital. PathologieBiologie (Paris). 2008; 56(7-8): 407-11.
glossitis, stomatitis, diarrhoea, enterocolitis, Gray Baby Syndrome 9. Brazier, JS., Levett, PN., Stannard, AJ., Phillips, KD., Willis, AT. mm Bleed: 3 mm Supply as hi-res PDF Job no: by contributors are not Influenza research at Birmingham particularly in the newborn, which consists of abdominal distension, Antibiotic susceptibility of clinical isolates of clostridia. Journal of PIP: 106-5796
210 necessarily those of
EG/CH/APR/2012/08 pallid cyanosis, vomiting, progressing to vasomotor collapse, irregular Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 1985; 15(2): 181-5. x clive sweet the Society; nor can the 297 AAH: CHL600B claims of advertisers be It should not be forgotten that Harry Smith carried ALLIANCE: O65995 guaranteed. out innovative research with influenza virus. Trim size: Trim Journal: Microbiology Today Journal: Microbiology Today MOVIANTO: CHL25060 For further information, please contact: Essential Generics, 7 Egham Business Village, Crabtree Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 8RB, UK Welcome to the August issue of Microbiology Today itorial
dedicated to the d e memory of the late Professor Harry Smith CBE FRS.
The sad news of Professor Harry Smith’s death reached me by text message via Ian Henderson while I was at a conference in Mexico in December 2011. While I had never met Harry
2012 personally, it was clear to me that 2012 as a Society we needed to mark his G AU death, not only as a Past President G AU 142 of the Society, but also for the wide 143 range and depth of influence Harry’s DA Y share our work had on modern microbiology. DA Y O O T At the February meeting of SGM T Council it was agreed that we should mark Harry’s passing with a culture special issue of Microbiology Today and, rather than have an issue of personal All culture media are not the same. Mastering the art requires a unique combination MicroBiology MicroBiology tributes to him, create an issue MicroBiology arry Smith. SGM of experience, expertise and creativity that only and media bring. which celebrated his outstanding H Oxoid Remel contribution and influence across the At Thermo Fisher we combine knowledge, gained through over a century in microbiological world. So here, with the help of the Microbiology Today Professor media production, with peptones that we manufacture and control ourselves, Editorial Board, and additional input articles cover Harry’s work and its legacy. Jeff Cole and and continuous investment in manufacturing and R&D facilities worldwide. and suggestions from Nigel Brown Chris Tang discuss his contribution to Neisseria research and Ian Henderson, we have put and in vivo pathogen biology. Les Baillie’s article is We add unsurpassed support from our scientists, sales teams and technical together an issue that hopefully covers a tour de force on the seminal work Harry and his the breadth of interest and influence laboratory carried out on anthrax. Finally, the tributes to support. It’s all designed to help you work better, because when you achieve, Harry had in microbiology. Harry’s work is rounded up by Clive Sweet’s discussion so do we. And that’s our mission. We call it our culture of excellence. We have an article covering of his contributions to influenza research and in parti- Harry’s influence on the develop- cular, again, the in vivo work carried out using the ferret ment of microbiology at the Uni- model. versity of Birmingham, and especially What is clear from all these articles is that Harry was the career of the author Charles a character who was universally respected across the world Penn, in addition to a contribution for his outstanding and influential contributions to our from Ian Henderson and Mark Pallen science, and he will be sadly missed. showing how the foundations set by • To share our culture, visit The theme of the next issue of the magazine (November) will Harry have led to the formation of www.thermoscientific.com/oxoid be ‘Antimicrobials’. www.thermoscientific.com/remel the new Institute of Microbiology and Infection at Birmingham. Three Paul A. Hoskisson, Editor (email [email protected]) 2012 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved. Copyrights in and to the image is owned 2012 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights © by a third party and licensed to Thermo Fisher Scientific by Shutterstock. by a third
TSM-1214 Resize Microbiology Today_Heritage 050112.indd 1 4/25/12 9:22 AM s New Honorary Member Microbiology S Professor Anne Glover Today evolves
Look out for the November EW
issue of Microbiology Today. N New features, new design ? and new content! News of Members
tivitie Congratulations to: lover G
c Lorna Casselton, Emeritus Professor of nne A Fungal Genetics, Plant Science, University of Anne obtained a BSc in Biochemistry at Edinburgh Oxford, on the award of a CBE in the 2012 in 1978 and then studied at Cambridge where she Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to obtained a Doctorate in Molecular Microbiology. fungal genetics and international science. Her research has been varied and has included Andrew Lovering, School of Biosciences, the development of biosensors to detect Birmingham, who has been awarded the environmental pollution and, more recently, how American Society for Microbiology 2012 we respond to stress at the molecular level. In ICAAC Young Investigator Award for his 1999, she commercialized some of her biosensor crystallographic research into the enzymes
technology into a successful company which iety a that build and modify bacterial cell walls. 2012 2012 diagnoses environmental pollution and provides G c Mervyn Bibb, John Innes Centre, who has solutions for its clean-up. AU been awarded the Heatley Medal and Prize G AU Anne has played major roles in UK research 144 by the Biochemical Society. 145 councils in the setting of strategic priorities and budgets for science and has been a partner in The Society notes with regret the deaths of: DA Y DA Y O several European research initiatives. In 2006, she O T Emeritus Professor Lennart T was awarded a CBE in recognition of her services Philipson, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, So to environmental sciences. In 2008, she was Sweden (member since 1963).
made a Woman of Outstanding Achievement in n Science, Engineering and Technology (SET), and Professor Colin Kaplan (member since 1954). Colin was born in 1929 in South MicroBiology MicroBiology has worked hard to raise the profile of women MicroBiology in SET and to ensure that not only are women Africa where he trained as a doctor, but recruited into careers in SET but that they are he spent most of his professional life in the supported to remain in the profession. UK, holding posts at the London School of Anne was awarded the Proctor and Gamble Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and University t o Award for applied microbiology in 2012 and College Hospital Medical School. In the 1950s, has received Honorary degrees from Edinburgh s at the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine, Napier University, the Open University, the he improved a method of making freeze-dried
Scottish Agricultural College, Glasgow Caledonian smallpox vaccine – a method used widely in E University and Strathclyde University. She also the WHO’s smallpox eradication campaign. received a special recognition award from the Following consultancy work for WHO in l Scottish Life Science community in 2012. She India and further work on rabies, he took
has a strong interest in how science, engineering up the Chair of Microbiology p and technology can contribute to the developing at Reading in 1968. It was at world and chaired the UK Collaborative on the beginning of this tenure Be part of our global community – Development Sciences 2009–2011. that, together with Peter Wildy, Anne joined the European Commission on 1 he founded JGV. He retired in January 2012 as the first Chief Scientific Adviser 1986. A full obituary is available over 1,700 followers on Twitter to the President. Prior to that, she was the first online at http://vir.sgmjournals.
Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland (2006–2011). the late org/content/93/Pt_9/1851.full/ https://twitter.com/SocGenMicro Peo
Supporting the professional GRAnts Annual development of SGM members General make the most of your membership Microbiology Outreach Prize Winner Announced Meeting Congratulations to Dr Marieke Hoeve, The University of Edinburgh, who has been awarded the SGM Microbiology Outreach Prize 2012 The AGM of the Society will be (sponsored by Yakult). held at the Autumn Conference Scientific Meetings Heatley-Payne and Hayes-Burnet Marieke has developed and delivered a variety of exciting at the University of Warwick Travel Grants – Award schemes revised outreach activities during the last 4 years, including hands-on activity on Tuesday 4 September 2012, The Heatley-Payne and Hayes-Burnet Awards, offered jointly with stands for the Edinburgh International Science Festival, and has led Inviting applications 12:35–13:00, in the Warwick from career returners the American and Australian Societies for Microbiology, respectively, biology workshops at primary schools. In 2009 she was awarded Arts Centre Theatre. support the reciprocal exchange of one early-career society The Scientific Meeting Travel Grants scheme an Edinburgh Beltane Public Engagement Fellowship with which she member (within 5 years of being awarded their PhD) to present provides funds to support members in the early created MicroMania, a science card game for children (age 8–12). Agenda their research at the other Society’s main annual conference and Marieke will be presented with her prize during the SGM stages of their career to present work at scientific oeve 1. Introduction by the visit a research laboratory in that country. The awards recognize H conferences, or to attend a short course, in the Autumn Conference at the University of Warwick and will give a talk President the scientific excellence of the recipient’s current programme of UK and overseas. SGM has extended this scheme on 4 September 2012 where she will discuss the gains and pains of 2. Minutes of the 2011 research and scholarly activity, and enable them to raise their profile Marieke to welcome applications from postdoctoral participating in science communication as an academic researcher. Annual General Meeting in the scientific community and initiate collaborations. See Gradline scientists who are funded by a career returner Harry Smith Vacation Studentship 3. Matters arising from the (Collaborate or stagnate, p. 171) for a summary of the scheme scheme (Daphne Jackson Fellowship, Wellcome The SGM Vacation Studentships will be renamed Harry Smith Vacation Minutes benefits and profiles of previous recipients. Trust Career Re-entry Fellowship, or similar Studentships from 2013 onwards in recognition of Harry’s well-known support of 4. Report of the Treasurer For 2013, the rules and application processes for these awards scheme) in a microbiological post in the UK or microbiologists and microbiology students at the start of their careers. The scheme (a) Receiving of the Annual have been revised. Full details and an application form are available Ireland at the date of application. Up to £500 is offers supervised research experience in microbiology to undergraduate students in Accounts at www.sgm.ac.uk/grants. Enquires to [email protected]. Closing 2012
2012 available as a contribution towards the costs of G the summer vacation before their final year. (b) Appointment of Auditor date for applications: 30 November 2012. the proposed activity. Applications are accepted AU (c) Approval of membership G AU Free Places for SGM members at the Standing up for Science throughout the year (but must be made in 146 subscription rates 147 media workshop advance of the conference or course). 5. Announcement of new The Voice of Young Science Standing up for Science media workshops encourage Full details of the scheme, including eligibility DA Y President DA Y O early-career researchers to get their voices heard in public debates about science. criteria and an application form are available at O T 6. New Members of Council T The 1-day workshop involves a series of panel discussions with fellow scientists, www.sgm.ac.uk/grants/smtg.cfm. Enquires to and Divisional Committees science journalists, press officers and the Sense about Science team. The workshop [email protected] 7. New Council Committees, aims to confront misconceptions about how the media works and discuss participants’ Chairs and Members concerns about speaking to the public. Four workshops are held each year (the next 8. Special resolution to amend Upcoming deadlines 2012. 299 pages, MicroBiology MicroBiology one is on 16 November 2012 in Glasgow) and SGM members are eligible for free MicroBiology Articles of Association 31 August 2012 illustrations, index. places (look out for announcements on the SGM website or contact Laura Udakis 9. Any other business Postgraduate Student Conference Grants | Paperback. at the SGM Press Office – [email protected]). (978-1-55581-540-0) Undergraduate Student Conference Grants | SGM member Dr Lena Ciric, University College London, attended a workshop or E-book (978-155581-847-0) Dr Simon Festing Technician Conference Taster Grants | Retired on 25 May in London. ‘I attended the workshop because I believe talking to the public Company Secretary Member Grants for the SGM Autumn Conference, about the science we do is very important and using the media to do this gives access to a University of Warwick, 3–5 September 2012 wide audience. For me, the most Supporting papers can be (see p. 152). Microbes and interesting aspect of the workshop downloaded from www.sgm.ac.uk/ 21 September 2012 was talking to science journalists. about/objectives.cfm evolution: It gave an insight into what they President’s Fund for Research Visit Grants | The World That Darwin Never Saw are looking for from a science story – and it was also interesting to Elective Grants | Infection Training Support learn about what goes on behind the scenes in the world of media! To Grants | International Development Fund | Editors: Roberto Kolter and Stanley Maloy practice communicating with non-scientists, the journalists advised us to Watanabe Book Fund List and ASM member price: $ 14.95 talk to our friends and family about science. They said that you should 9 November 2012 be yourself, talk in simple and clear terms, and it is OK not to know Postgraduate Student Conference Grants | everything. Attending the workshop has highlighted how important it is Undergraduate Student Conference Grants | WEB: estore.asm.org/press to communicate the science that I do to the public and has made me Technician Conference Taster Grants | Retired PHONE: 800.546.2416 • FAX: 703.661.1501
iric think more about the bigger picture. It’s important to think about why Member Grants for the SGM Irish Division C we do what we do and how it benefits society – and then communicate Conference, University College Cork, ena L this. I now feel much more confident about doing this.’ 14–16 November 2012 (see p. 152).
Microbes and Evolution-126x87.5mm.indd 1 7/20/2012 10:58:40 AM Officers SGM journal microshorts – President – Prof. Hilary M. Lappin-Scott Singleton Abbey, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP Quicker diagnosis email [email protected] – T reasurer and Acting Publications Officer – for GBS infection Prof. Colin R. Harwood A more accurate, faster diagnostic test for Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and group B streptococcal infection in babies has Molecular Biosciences, Baddiley Building, University il 11–12 been developed by Health Protection Agency of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX researchers. The new test could allow better tel. 0191 208 3221; email [email protected] treatment and management of the disease and – General Secretary – Prof. David J. Blackbourn nc reduce the risk of mortality among newborns. University of Birmingham, Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT
group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections, caused ou tel. 0121 415 8804; email [email protected]
by the bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae, c Scientific Meetings Officer – Dr Evelyn M. Doyle are the most common cause of meningitis, – School of Biology & Environmental Science, University septicaemia and pneumonia in infants. The new College, Ardmore House, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland test detects the presence of the cylB gene in S. The use of mobile devices is escalating, category. The titles link to the abstract, full text tel. +353 1 716 1300; email [email protected] agalactiae in samples of blood or spinal fluid in with more and more people accessing and PDF versions of an article, which are also – Education and Public Affairs Officer – Prof. Joanna Verran less than 2 hours. GBS bacteria live harmlessly information on the move. SGM has responded optimized for viewing on a small screen. As for Department of Biology, Chemistry and Health Science, in the genital tract of women and are carried to this by launching mobile-optimized sites for the full-text papers on the main sites, inter-article Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, by 20–30% of pregnant women. The bacteria Manchester M1 5GD the Society’s four journals, Microbiology (http://m. links enable quick navigation between the paper
can be transmitted from mother to newborn tel. 0161 247 1206; email [email protected] 2012 2012 mic.sgmjournals.org), Journal of General Virology sections, and figures and tables can be opened in G during delivery. The authors believe that more
AU (http://m.vir.sgmjournals.org), International Journal new windows. Each paper also has an ‘Email this G AU rapid diagnosis of GBS will mean that antibiotic Members of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology article’ feature. Articles have links to the previous 148 treatment can start sooner, reducing the risk – Prof. Nigel L. Brown Vice-Principal’s Office, 149 (http://m.ijs.sgmjournals.org) and Journal of Medical and next articles in the issue, facilitating quick of infant mortality. Charles Stewart House, University of Edinburgh, Microbiology (http://m.jmm.sgmjournals.org), using browsing, and a link back to the table of contents. DA Y 9–16 Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1HT DA Y O JMM doi:10.1099/jmm.0.042879-0 O T HighWire’s Mobile Web interface. A simplified search page can be accessed tel. 0131 650 6443; email [email protected] T Readers accessing the main journal sites on a from the home page of each mobile site, as can – Prof. Mark Harris Institute of Molecular & Cellular mobile device are redirected automatically to the a drop-down menu enabling quick access to the Hitchhiking microbes Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University simplified mobile sites. This does not apply to the mobile sites of the other three SGM journals. of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT A rare and unusual novel species of yeast has iPad, which has a large-enough screen to view the Currently, users belonging to an institution tel. 0113 343 5632; email [email protected] been identified at three separate locations across MicroBiology MicroBiology main sites with their full functionality. The branding that subscribes to the journal will only be able to – Prof. Ian R. Henderson Division of Immunity & Infection, MicroBiology the world, according to Canadian scientists. The of the journals is carried through to the mobile access content that is behind access controls if University of Birmingham Medical School, Edgbaston, findings suggest a link between the distribution sites by the use of the standard journal colours they are within the institution IP area. However, Birmingham B15 2TT of specialized microbes and human migrations. and logos. a mobile voucher service will shortly be set up tel. 0121 414 4368; email [email protected] The novel strain of yeast has been named The current issue, the entire back content enabling mobile devices to be linked with an – Dr Paul A. Hoskisson (Editor Microbiology Today) Saccharomycopsis fodiens and was isolated from (archive) and Papers in Press (papers published institution’s subscription. This will enable access to Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical flower-associated beetles in three geographically ahead of print) pages can be accessed from the the embargoed content when the user is not on Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, distinct locations in Eastern Australia, Costa Rica Glasgow G4 0RE home page and via a navigation bar on other the institution’s network. and the Galapagos islands. The authors say that tel. 0141 548 2819; email [email protected] pages. A graphic of the cover of the latest issue The mobile sites will make the content of the collection sites for S. fodiens are compatible Dr Karen Robinson Centre for Biomolecular on the home page also links to the table of the SGM journals more widely accessible and help – with the hypothesis that ancient Polynesians Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, contents of that issue. Within a table of contents, readers keep up to date with the latest research. migrated southward from Taiwan and then Nottingham NG7 2RD there are bars for each of the contents categories, Why not try out the websites today by scanning eastward across the Pacific and eventually tel. 0115 823 1094 which expand to give the titles of papers in that the QR codes above with your smartphone? email [email protected]
journals go mobile South America. They travelled carrying sweet potato plants, whose flowers carry similar – Dr Gary Rowley School of Biological Sciences, University Melanie Scourfield is Managing Editor of Journal of of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ insects and yeasts. The findings should allow Medical Microbiology (email [email protected]) tel. 01603 592889; email [email protected] testable hypotheses to be formulated about the – Prof. John H. Sinclair Department of Medicine, Level 5, influence of human migrations on the global To find out more about the SGM journals, meet the Laboratory Block, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Editors on the SGM YouTube channel (www.youtube. distribution of micro-organisms. Cambridge CB2 0QQ
SGM com/user/SocGenMicrobiology). IJSEM doi:10.1099/ijs.0.043109-0 tel. 01223 336850; email [email protected]
Chlamydomonas s S Vaccine-producing reinhardtii algae. Plant perfumes ‘Barcodes’ predict viral AMI Images / algae Science Photo elicit microbial infection impact Algae have been successfully used as factories Library attraction Scientists are using protein signatures to formulate ‘barcodes’ for
to produce complex proteins for a potential torie different viral diseases. Viral infections alter the balance of proteins Maize crops have been shown HORT malaria vaccine. Scientists from the University s Non-coding in host cells causing some to be over-produced and others to be
to emit chemical signals which S of California San Diego published their suppressed, which is a function of virus type. attract growth-promoting RNA may achievement in the May issue of the journal microbes to live amongst the Researchers from the University of Leeds used labelling techniques
PLoS ONE. The researchers harnessed algae to detect RO plant’s roots. Further research in conjunction with mass spectrometry to identify the cellular
generate and fold three-dimensional proteins C could prove invaluable to infection proteins most affected by infection with different strains of influenza from the Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite improving crop yields, which Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) virus and human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV). From this they
into their natural form. The harvested proteins MI offers further clues to how could assign a typical host protein profile to each virus. Since flu would help meet the increasing iol ogy stimulated the production of antibodies in mice viruses frequently mutate, this newly developed method may be
demands on food production b pathogens interact with the which attack the malaria parasite, preventing created by the growth of human host. Patients with used to rapidly determine a mutant strain’s impact on the host its reproduction. Traditionally, these proteins by comparing its ‘barcode’ with those of viruses that are already the world’s population. The ro diseases like cancer, autism are difficult and prohibitively expensive to common soil bacterium c and Alzheimer’s have been known. The swine flu ‘barcode’ in pulmonary cells was found to be manufacture, artificially or in animal cells. The Pseudomonas putida and maize found to have mutations in similar to that of seasonal flu – a finding which may have informed genetically selected algal strain that was used, plants are known to participate their ncRNA. A new study predictions of the severity of the 2009 swine flu pandemic. On- Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, is easy and inexpensive in a relationship in which both shows that monitoring the going research focuses on how the more virulent avian flu barcode to grow, providing an opportunity to mass- parties benefit. To understand t mi increase, or decrease, of certain differs from other flu strains. While the research has focussed produce the complex Plasmodium proteins. Such this further, scientists from n ncRNA molecules within a on respiratory viruses the method could also be extrapolated to proteins could be used to immunize humans to e virus-infected cell could help others, particularly those causing highly pathogenic tropical diseases Rothamsted Research and the 2012 2012
prevent infection and transmission of the malaria c G University of Sheffield, analysed detect diseases. Scientists at Tel that are prone to sudden outbreaks and are often fatal.
AU parasite between humans and the mosquitoes G AU bacterial genes expressed in Aviv University used a deep Proteomics – doi:10.1002/PMIC.201100470 which carry it. 150 response to the presence of sequencing technique to analyse Tom Kennedy, Department of Agriculture, Ireland 151
PLoS ONE – doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0037179 benzoxazinoids (BXs). These re millions of human genome DA Y DA Y Rebecca Gladstone, University of Southampton molecules are considered toxic E sequences. They developed O O T Immune response helps bacteria T and are known to be released new software to profile ncRNA Cyanobacteria by the plant as a defence om of virus-infected cells. Further infect host mechanism. The researchers s experiments, comparing HIV- Scientists at National Jewish Health have shown that Listeria with bones found that BXs released in infected cells and uninfected cells, monocytogenes can subvert the host immune response to help the The first cyanobacteria that can form internal hard bone-like the soil affect P. putida genes showed that infected cells had bacterium successfully infect. L. monocytogenes infection is generally MicroBiology MicroBiology MicroBiology MicroBiology structures have been discovered. Scientists from the Centre associated with movement, different ncRNA profiles. The caused by eating contaminated foods (most commonly soft cheeses National de la Recherche Scientifique in France have discovered encouraging migration of the researchers could successfully and pâtés). In most healthy adults, infection causes only mild cyanobacteria that form calcified structures inside the cells, rather bacteria towards the roots. The discriminate between infected symptoms, but it can be life-threatening in immunocompromised than outside as other cyanobacteria do. ‘Candidatus Gleomargarita presence of P. putida is beneficial and non-infected cells with groups, and infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriage. lithophora’ was isolated from a biofilm in an alkaline lake in Mexico to the plants since they increase 100% accuracy. Even though When L. monocytogenes infects the host it triggers the innate and belongs to an ancient cyanobacterial order. The calcified the availability of nutrients, ncRNA does not translate into immune response to help protect cells against invading bacteria, granules significantly increase cell density and might act to help including iron and phosphorus, proteins, the work suggests that including the production of nitric oxide which triggers several them sink as an adaptation to life at the bottom of the lake. The defend against harmful bacteria it has crucial cellular functions defence mechanisms. The researchers found that when the bacteria highlight researchers suggest that the cyanobacterium might itself influence and additionally detoxify the and is involved in viral infection. are already inside cells nitric oxide can actually help the bacteria s the biomineralization process because the chemical composition of root system by breaking down This new finding, described as survive and spread – increasing the number of infected cells. Once
the granules (calcium, strontium, barium, carbonate and magnesium) the toxic BXs. The research er the ‘Achilles heel’ of disease, inside a cell L. monocytogenes spreads directly from cell to cell by
is different from that of the surrounding medium. The group helps to improve our current b could lead to alternative virus forming small bacteria-filled buds from the cell membrane which are highlight that the cyanobacterium is not likely to form microfossils; understanding of growth treatments that target both absorbed by neighbouring cells into vacuoles. Nitric oxide was found
however, the carbonates enriched in barium and strontium might strategies and mechanisms for em coding and non-coding genetic to delay the cellular response to destroy these vacuoles, buying have left signatures in the fossil record and may potentially help us material. the bacteria time to escape into the cell interior. The researchers the maintenance of good plant M Listeria understand the gap in their record. health. Nucleic Acids Research – monocytogenes hope that knowledge of this mechanism will help provide targets for
Science – doi:10.1126/science.1216171 PLoS One – doi:10.1371/journal. doi:10.1093/nar/gks228 bacterium. possible drug interventions to reduce severe food-borne infection. James Cavallini Paola R. Gomez-Pereira, National Oceanography Centre, pone.0035498 Rebecca Way, University of / Science Photo Immunity – doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2012.03.011 GM Library Southampton Avika Ruparell, Unilever S Aberdeen Emma Trantham, University of Bristol We are delighted to welcome new members s e es AUTUMN 2012 | warwick | 3–5 SEPTEMBER to the Division Committees. Their term of c e
There is still time to register for the SGM Autumn Conference 2012 at the office will start in September 2012. nc en
University of Warwick esults r ie nc r Symposia Virology Division sc The dynamic genome | Next-generation sequencing – enabling new Microbial diversity & evolution – onfe Janet Daly University of Nottingham c technology | The concept of species | Designer microbes | Molecular tion ere motors | Streptococcus in health & disease | Developing winning ways and c Fundamental microbiology – – Scientific MeetingsO fficer ial Dr Evelyn Doyle David Evans University of Warwick competitive success b [email protected] nf ele sgm Translational microbiology – E G Registration Deputy Scientific MeetingsO fficer – o Catherine Adamson University of St Andrews ro Register online at www.warwick2012.org.uk or complete (and return) Prof. Mark Harris c c the downloadable PDF. Registration fees include: refreshments, lunch, drinks Infectious disease – [email protected]
omin receptions, the abstracts book, exhibition entry and all conference literature. Kevin Brown HPA Colindale
c – Education Division Specially discounted rates are available for SGM Associate/Postgraduate Michelle West University of Sussex mi Dr Sara Burton ommitte n th [email protected]
Student Associate Members. c r European Dr Beatrix Fahnert er
fo prokaryotic [email protected]
Microscopy eetings Committee d
| | microbiology Division M – Eukaryotic Microbiology Division
SPRING 2013 manchester Congress Prof. Peter Sudbery Microbial diversity & evolution – c 16–21 September 2012 ivision 25–28 march [email protected]
D Julian Marchesi Cardiff University Keep your diary clear for the SGM Spring Conference 2013 which Manchester Central Prof. Mick Tuite
Translational microbiology – g mo 2012
ed meetings [email protected] 2012 will be held at Manchester Central, Manchester, UK. Conference Centre G r
Sandra McFarlane University of Dundee n ientifi Irish Division AU Confirmed symposia include: – G AU c Dr Kevin Kavanagh Viruses and human cancer: causes to cures | RNA – so much more s 152 The Molecular [email protected] 153
onso EUkaryotic than a genome | Metabolic interactions at the host–pathogen Dr Steve Smith
p & Cellular Biology DA Y interface | Co-infections and co-colonization | Streptomyces | microbiology Division [email protected] DA Y O of Human O T Next-generation antimicrobials | Bacterial–fungal interactions | Microbial diversity & evolution – T Papillomaviruses eliveri – Prokaryotic Microbiology Division Antimicrobials: resistance, emergence & communication. Ursula Bond Trinity College Dublin (HPV UK) d Dr Nick Dorrell We are also proud to announce that the 2013 SGM Prize Medal sgm-s Translational microbiology – [email protected] r 9–11 November 2012 Lecture will be delivered in Manchester by Harald zur Hausen, Elinor Thompson University of Greenwich Prof. Mark Stevens [email protected]
winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine ‘for his Rydall Hall, Ambleside, – MicroBiology MicroBiology Infectious disease – MicroBiology discovery of human papilloma viruses causing cervical cancer’. Cumbria s – Virology Division othe Donna MacCallum University of Aberdeen g Dr Paul Duprex
Justin Pachebat Aberystwyth University n [email protected] Marine Microbiology & Biotechnology; Biodiscovery, Biodiversity and Bioremediation Prof. Wendy Barclay University College Cork, Ireland, 14–16 November 2012 – www.ucc.ie/en/mmbiotech2012/ irish Division [email protected] ‘Marine biotechnology’ has become an umbrella term for a plethora of diverse research activities aimed at Jakki Cooney University of Limerick – Chief Executive Officer providing sustainable food and energy sources, protecting environmental and human health and facilitating Dr Simon Festing
the development of novel industrial products and processes. Against this background, SGM Irish Division are Gerard Fleming NUI Galway /meeti [email protected] hosting a joint SGM/FEMS Marine Microbiology & Biotechnology Autumn conference. The meeting will focus Jarlath Nally University College Dublin k
ish division – Head of Membership Activities r on three central themes within marine biotechnology research, in which microbiology is a core discipline; Vincent O’Flaherty NUI Galway .u Dr Jane Westwell
biodiscovery, biodiversity and bioremediation. The broad scope offered within these themes is intended to c [email protected] promote interactions between diverse research groups and to highlight overlapping research interests. – ScientificC onferences Managers Confirmed international speakers include: Marcel Jaspers (marine symbiont bioactives), Jan Roelef van der Claire MacLean [email protected]
Meer (marine microbial biosensors), Jeroen Raes (systems biology, phylogeography), Jeanette Andersen gm.a om the i
s tel. 0118 988 1832
r (Arctic sampling & biodiscovery), Chantal Compere (biofilms & biofouling), John McGrath (marine phosphate recycling), Julian Marchesi (sea floor microbial ecology) andU te Henschel (bioactives from fax 0118 988 5656 marine sponges). Susan Wong Abstracts for poster presentations will be accepted until Friday 5 October 2012. Discounted registration [email protected]
news f tel. 0118 988 1839 fees are available for SGM and FEMS members.
www. fax 0118 988 5656 Harry appointed me to a it came to a senior Wellcome Trust fellowship he made it in the early 1970s and ensuring his at a day-to-day level his approach to research was some- Background The 1-year postdoc vacancy in 1974 after clear he would support me only as an independent PI with freedom to run his ship independently times idiosyncratic. Often he would come up with an University of we met at the Beckenham research my own research interest, so I dropped out of his Neisseria without having to rub along with idea with an unexpected angle, sometimes leading to Birmingham campus labs of the Wellcome Foundation project and embarked on spirochaete research, with the colleagues in other departments of the emergence of a personal research niche. He would at Edgbaston. iStockphoto / (one of the progenitors of GSK) main focus on the syphilis pathogen. biology. However, although ‘core’ then appear to set out to prove that he was right, rather Thinkstock where he was a consultant and I was a The pay-off for Harry’s support was loyalty and hard funding appeared to flow directly than to test the hypothesis objectively and discard it if it humble graduate researcher, working work in the cause of high-quality academic research on his to the department (I was too junior didn’t stand up. Usually he was indeed right, but when towards a PhD. I had stood in for my terms. He was dismissive of any engagement in commercial to know the full details), we had to things didn’t go his way, a favourite phrase was that it supervisor at a research meeting, and contract work, which he called ‘hick’ research, and he compete with other departments for would ‘come right’ if we repeated the experiment a few he made one of his snap judgments would not tolerate it in his department. He was very funding of large equipment items, by more times. He was also wary of competition, sometimes that I was OK, an impression that, reluctant to accept my diversion into university politics, bidding to Faculty Board and arguing to the point of avoiding approaches that he knew were characteristically, he never went back representing the research staff community, which he saw the case at Board meetings. The being followed by able competitors and preferring to on over the following decades. The as a competing call on my time, tempting me away from arguments were robust and aggressive find a different path. Those were times when SDS- fact that I left a permanent job in the laboratory. I only won that argument by undertaking and sometimes seemed to me, listening PAGE was being refined as an extremely powerful tool in industry to join his group on a 1-year to put in extra hours in the laboratory to compensate. in as the research staff representative, to protein analysis, and in the Neisseria field it was reveal- externally funded vacancy also He was in fact generous and accommodating in allowing descend to a level of personal abuse – ing superb biological insights into the roles of pilus and won his approval, although family me complete flexibility in organizing my working hours, but I was naive and impressionable outer-membrane protein variation. However, Harry considerations also contributed to this mainly in the afternoons and evenings, so that my wife perhaps about what makes the world decided we would plough our own furrow and do things decision. nn could develop her own career while our children were go round. Clearly Harry was in his differently, and I vividly remember his coming to the 2012 2012 Over the next decade Harry e small. Others were not so lucky; one hazard well known element in these encounters – his laboratory one day and finding us looking at an SDS- p
G AU mentored me in the development of a among the research staff was to give him any inkling of competitive approach often being PAGE gel. He was furious – ‘I thought I told you not to run G AU mainstream academic research career itchy feet: this was taken as a lack of commitment and a effective. any more gels’! 154 s 155 with fellowships and ultimately a ‘New slur on the reputation of his laboratory, if not a personal Harry’s academic career perhaps Harry had many commitments outside the university, Blood’ lectureship. His approach was affront, and it was expected that the miscreant would be peaked with his election to the UK’s some of them arising from his time at the Military DA Y DA Y O to identify opportunities and use his gone within weeks whether or not the competing position scientific elite, the Royal Society, in Research Establishment (MRE) at Porton Down. He O T influence to ensure success, which for materialized. 1979 – he referred to it as ‘the Royal’ was well connected both in UK and US defence-related T me and others encouraged to branch Harry’s most visible achievement on campus at – and he was obviously immensely microbiology, and sometimes had to phone or talk in harle
out was a terrific opportunity. When c Birmingham was the Microbiology building, completed proud of this achievement. However, person to his contacts about secret matters. He was obsessive MicroBiology MicroBiology MicroBiology MicroBiology
Charles Penn Harry Smith presents a personal view of Harry Smith in Birmingham: and his legacy at Birmingham. past recollections
The University and ongoing of Birmingham campus at Edgbaston. University of Birmingham development about security and had his office door long outlived Harry’s term as Head sound-proofed, even though the outer of the Microbiology Department, departmental office was occupied by not only through the impact of his his and the department’s secretary and own work, but also in the legacy of Pride in a constantly busy with comings and associates, expertise and infrastructure goings – hardly eavesdropper-friendly! that attracted the attention of recruits Closer to home, but nevertheless to Birmingham long after Harry’s secret for the rest of his life was his ‘official’ retirement (he continued involvement in an internal enquiry to be involved in research through century-long after the smallpox case in the Medical collaborations and co-supervisions
School, where he solicited advice for many years afterwards). Harry’s dgbaston. from experts at MRE and was a key successor as Professor of Micro- E architect of the University’s defence biology, Nigel Brown, recognized tradition of strategy – or so it appeared from the strength and reputation of patho- occasional unguarded comments to gen microbiology in Birmingham his colleagues. although it was not his field, and
Harry’s influence was formative in supported the continuation of this irmingham campus at the development and expansion of the research thread which has since B microbiology SGM, and he served as both Treasurer expanded again. High-impact recruits and, in 1975, as President. This to Birmingham as well as ‘home- niversity of
involvement also led to his presiding grown’ experts in the pathogen U he
role at the 1986 International Congress biology tradition include Del Besra, T of Microbiology held in Manchester Jane McKeating, Mark Pallen, Ian in Birmingham
2012 The last 12 months have seen However, these successes are built on a solid 2012 “The breadth of expertise bacteriology at the University of foundation. Bacteriology in Birmingham stretches back G AU and international stature [at Birmingham flourishing, benefiting to the very foundation of our university, as illus- G AU 156 from substantial investments by the trated by the cutting from 1898 (left), and builds on the 157 Birmingham] reflect the broadening University and external sources. legacy of the late Professor Harry Smith. This tradition DA Y The new Institute of Microbiology encompasses: DA Y O O T of Harry’s focus on the pathogen in and Infection (the IMI) will open its – nearly half a century of research into the pathogenesis T doors later this year, co-locating of bacterial infections, a research theme pioneered by vivo and its molecular determinants bacteriologists from our colleges of Harry Smith; Medical and Dental Sciences and Life – four decades of research into antimicrobial chemo- of virulence.” and Environmental Sciences together therapy and resistance, initially Edward Lowbury, MicroBiology MicroBiology at the heart of the campus to create one Alasdair Geddes and Laura Piddock, and more recently MicroBiology where he built on many international Henderson, Laura Piddock, Mark of the largest bacteriology research The University of Peter Hawkey and Mark Webber; connections and forged new ones. He Webber, Robin May, Tim Mitchell centres in the UK. This will extend our – over a quarter of a century of model-organism biology was in some ways at his best in this and many others. The breadth of global reach and energize our research, Birmingham has with Jeff Cole, Chris Thomas, Pete Lund and most kind of role, energetic and focussed on expertise and international stature teaching and outreach efforts through notably Steve Busby; ensuring that everything was in place of this group reflect the broadening a wide range of academic activities and – significant achievements in biotechnology (Lynn and all contingencies allowed for, of Harry’s focus on the pathogen in initiatives. With funds from the NIHR developed into one of Macaskie, Chris Thomas, Tim Dafforn, Tim Overton, including personal oversight of the vivo and its molecular determinants and Ministry of Defence, we have Ian Henderson and Adam Cunningham), resulting in finances. Undoubtedly, this role contri- of virulence, to embrace today established a Surgical Reconstruction the great centres for several patents and spin-out companies. buted to major international recog- molecular microbiology and pathogen and Microbiology Research Centre, n The university has continued to build on this tradition. & & nition for Harry and his home genomics on a broad front. The recent enhancing our capacity in bacterial o microbiology research. Around 10 years ago, our microbiology community s university as a centre for academic establishment of the Birmingham genomics and academic clinical micro- n received an injection of fresh talent with the arrival pathogen biology. The engagement of Institute of Microbiology and biology. Thanks to significant As the new Institute of of Gurdyal Besra (a world authority on tuberculosis), Birmingham academics with the SGM Infection underlines the University’s investment from the University and er Mark Pallen (a clinical microbiologist with interests in has continued to be significant, with ongoing commitment to what is now the Wolfson Foundation, we have Microbiology and Infection bacterial pathogenomics), Peter Hawkey (a clinical
two past and one present General perhaps the predominant sector in established the Birmingham Inter- nd microbiologist with expertise in antibiotic resistance and
Secretary currently on campus (Jeff molecular microbiology nationally disciplinary Centre for Antimicrobial e epidemiological typing) and Ian Henderson (an expert
Palle opens its doors, how has Cole, myself and currently David and internationally. Drug Discovery to drive forward the on bacterial protein secretion and outer-membrane H Blackbourn), and Ian Henderson, until search for new antimicrobials. These k biogenesis).
recently Scientific Meetings Officer. Charles Penn, School of Biosciences, investments place the University of the legacy of Harry Smith The intervening decade has provided a continuous n The University’s reputation for University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham Birmingham firmly on the global map ar record of outstanding achievement for microbiology in a
excellence in pathogen biology has B15 2TT (email [email protected]) for bacteriology research. M I been built upon? Birmingham, both in attracting external funding and in
Background E. coli cells bound to the surface of rocket salad leaves. Structure of the Methanococcus maripaludis thermosome.
producing high-impact publications (over two dozen in strain infected more than 4,000 to attack. Professor Ian Henderson, who is working on the Nature stable of journals, over 20 in PNAS and a recent “Bacteriology teaching is a core people and resulted in more than 50 outer-membrane biosynthesis in E. coli, explains, ‘I hope NEJM paper). deaths, mostly in previously healthy our work will lead to novel strategies for combating infectious During the last 10 years, externally funded fellowships, theme in many of our degree individuals. But what kind of strain diseases and to the identification of new treatments for bacterial twinned with university funding, have resulted in the programmes and remains amongst was this, where had it come from and infections. This progress is made possible by exploiting our appointment of a string of early-career academics: Klaus why was it so virulent? strengths in disciplines from structural biology to chemistry. It is Fütterer, Robin May, Luke Alderwick, Apoorva Bhatt, the most popular subjects with our To answer these questions, a collaborative endeavour to tackle one of the greatest threats to David Grainger, Katie Hardy, Jan-Ulrich Kreft, Andy Birmingham’s Professor Mark Pallen human health today.’ Lovering, Tim Overton and Mark Webber. More recently students.” worked with groups in Hamburg In the group of Del Besra, Bardrick Professor of we have recruited Tim Mitchell, an expert on pneumococci and China to spearhead a pioneering Physiology and Chemistry in the School of Biosciences, to a Chair in Global Infection. Through the pioneering However, the University of ‘open-source genome analysis’ of a scientists are unpicking how the mycobacterial cell wall Birmingham Fellows scheme (www.birmingham.ac.uk/ Birmingham is more than a work bacterium from the outbreak. As Mark is made. ‘By working out what enzymes the bacterium uses, we birminghamfellows), we have appointed two world- place for the bacteriology comm- says, ‘This project drew on a remarkable hope to be able to develop drugs that actually target some of those class early-career microbiologists (Vassiliy Bavro and unity. The Institute is located in combination of rapid DNA sequencing, enzymes, resulting in better and more cost-effective treatments’, he Anne-Marie Krachler). The University of Birmingham a campus environment, providing speedy data release and crowd-sourced explains. ‘In a sense, we treat the enzyme as a lock and we try to continues to build on the success of its bacteriology port- a host of social, eating and sporting analyses, powered by social networking design a key that fits it.’ folio; through a new round of the Birmingham Fellows facilities. Our postgraduate and tools. Instead of all the computer-based An alternative is to adopt an empirical strategy, scheme we are actively seeking creative individuals who postdoctoral students benefit from work being done in a single research screening compounds for antimicrobial activity without want to make a difference in bacteriology and we warmly a social agenda, including hiking centre, DNA sequences were released on Structure of worrying, at least at first, about how they work, so Bd1817, an encourage individuals with external fellowships to join our trips on the Malvern hills, paint- to the internet, which triggered a flurry HD-Gyp domain long as they are effective. Del points out,‘We are one of family. balling, swinging through trees for of analyses by bioinformaticians across protein from very few centres in the world with the combination of cutting- Our current research spans a spectrum of interest that fun and singing karaoke! Students the globe. Within a week, more than 20 Bdellovibrio edge, high-throughput screening technology and a detailed runs from the fundamental science of model organisms to and staff often congregate in the entries had been filed on a collaborative bacteriovorus. understanding of how the bacterium works, so we are very well translational research on pathogens of medical importance. adjacent bar for scientific discourse website, revealing the strain’s identity placed to make these breakthroughs
2012 Current research strengths include: on a Friday evening and, as per and evolutionary origins and priming in drug discovery.’ 2012 – cell envelope biosynthesis in bacteria as diverse local tradition, Balti’s at the local the development of a new laboratory test Birmingham microbiol- G AU as mycobacteria, E. coli and pneumococci (Besra, curry houses are a frequent event. specific to this strain.’ ogist Professor Chris Thomas G AU 158 Alderwick, Bhatt, Henderson, Lovering, Mitchell); While these activities contribute The emergence of resistance to is trying yet another approach 159 – bacterial protein secretion (Henderson, Pallen); of a sense of community amongst antibiotics is another pressing prob- to the creation of new DA Y – molecular basis of microbial pathogenesis and host our researchers, they have the lem, whether in hospital infections antibiotics – a method called DA Y O O T response (Penn, May, Krachler, Henderson, Pallen, tangible benefit of enhancing or community-acquired infections mutasynthesis. This line of T Cunningham); internal collaborative relationships such as tuberculosis. A team led by attack exploits the pathways – bacterial transcription and nucleoid structure (Busby, and developing new directions in Professor Laura Piddock is exploring that naturally occur in Grainger, Pallen); research. the factors driving the emergence of micro-organisms to produce – high-throughput sequencing/bacterial pathogenomics We have ambitious plans for antibiotic resistance and the molecular antibiotics, but feeds them unusual compounds, so that the MicroBiology MicroBiology (Pallen, Loman, Henderson); bacteriology research at Birmingham. mechanisms involved. ‘Twenty-first MicroBiology – molecular basis of antimicrobial action/resistance Our mission is to create an Insti- century medicine is very different from microbes produce antibiotics (Piddock, Webber, Hawkey, Bavro). tute that becomes a destination for when antibiotics were developed 60 years with novel properties. A cadre of our microbiology staff sit at the interface industry, an aspiration for our peers ago,’ she explains. ‘The infections we are In closing, Professor Pallen between academic and clinical activities, including medics and a home for our students. seeing now are unlike those we encountered explains, ‘We are fortunate in and clinical scientists. We benefit from collaborations with even 25 years ago because we have Birmingham in having such a medical microbiologists in local NHS Trusts and with Translational more sophisticated medical techniques. concentration of talent and tech- the Health Protection Agency, providing opportunities microbiology at If we want effective cancer or transplant nology on the same campus, for translational research that make an impact on Birmingham treatments, we have to be able to treat the attacking the problem of infection patients’ lives. Further opportunities to create impact arise From E. coli in our food or infections these patients get with antibiotics from so many different angles. It is through our existing network of industrial partners with superbugs in our hospitals to TB that work. We are working to understand clear that we are making our mark translational research spanning the areas of bioprocessing resurgent in our communities, how bacteria develop resistance to drugs on global efforts to rid humanity to vaccine development, and renewable energy sources to microbiologists at the University in the hope that we can prevent this of the scourge of infection. Together, development of novel antimicrobials. of Birmingham are finding new happening in the future. We strive to raise we can make a difference.’ Microbiology is taught across a range of degree ways to fight our most fearsome public awareness about the need for urgent programmes and features in the training of medical microbial adversaries. action in this area through the Antibiotic Follow the IMI on: and dental students. In any one year, several thousand In May 2011, a lethal outbreak Action initiative.’ – http://imicrobham. University of Birmingham students will have been exposed of E. coli infection erupted in the So, how can we find new anti- blogspot.com/ to microbiology teaching. Indeed, bacteriology teaching heart of Europe, reminding us biotics? One way forward is to gain – https://twitter.com/#!/ Enterotoxigenic is a core theme in many of our degree programmes and a better understanding of what E. coli cells bound that pathogenic micro-organisms imicrobham remains amongst the most popular subjects with our to the stomatal/ can devastate even the most makes microbes tick, in the hope of – www.bham.ac.uk/ students. epicuticular surface of advanced societies. The outbreak discovering new vulnerabilities open imicrobham rocket salad leaves. Coloured TEM of N. meningitidis bacteria. James Cavallini/Science Photo Library Molecular mimicry and microbial physiology in neisserial 2012 2012 G AU G AU 160 Christoph Tang & Jeff Cole pathogenicity 161 DA Y DA Y O O T T
Harry Smith left Northampton Grammar School pathogenicity (see the article by Les Baillie on p. 163). This when he was 15 to work as a trainee pharmacist, and he led to his life-long mantra that mechanisms of pathogenesis won a scholarship to study pharmacy at University College Harry Smith’s belief can be discerned only by studying bacteria in vivo, not in MicroBiology MicroBiology Nottingham. He graduated with a first class degree in a laboratory shake flask. It was this mantra that focused MicroBiology Special Chemistry, and was then appointed as an assistant in the importance his research into the mechanism of pathogenicity of the lecturer. His PhD in chemistry involved the first chemical obligate human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae. synthesis of a dinucleotide, the building blocks of DNA. The genus Neisseria includes a range of bacteria asso- His external PhD examiner was the famous chemist of in vivo studies ciated with the human body. No adverse symptoms have Lord Todd who recommended Harry for a position at been reported due to commensal species such as N. cinerea the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down. At and N. lactamica. In contrast, the pathogenicity of two Porton Harry started work on bacterial virulence, initially led him to the species, N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis, is well docu- on the virulence-enhancing activity of mucin. His was the mented by references dating back to biblical times, even first group to study bacteria isolated directly from infected when the cause of gonorrhoea was of course unknown. animals. This approach was so far ahead of the pack that discovery of the key The two pathogens occupy contrasting niches within it gained full recognition only in the 1990s. His seminal the human body. Meningococci typically reside in contributions included demonstrations that bacteria can live determinants in the well-aerated regions of the upper respiratory tract, but inside cells of the human body, and that they can exploit gonococci are surrounded by obligate anaerobes and components of human tissue for their survival and growth. lactobacilli that reduce the limited amounts of available Even his critics now accept that he was correct, and his final pathogenesis of two oxygen to hydrogen peroxide. Despite their different contribution to a scientific meeting was at the Pathogenic ecological niches, the respiratory capacity of gonococci Neisseria Conference in Cairns in 2006 when he thanked is extremely high, comparable to that of aerobic bacteria. opponents for their rather belated acknowledgement. Neisseria species in This enables them to minimize oxidative damage from Harry was the guru of microbial pathogenicity. He reactive oxygen species generated both from their own was the first person to identify a chemical within the human respiratory metabolism and by other bacteria that share body that is exploited by Bacillus anthracis to enhance its humans. their natural environment. As gonococci in vivo are surrounded by anaerobic, fermentative bacteria, they have Anthrax has many claims to evolved the ability to survive even where the supply of Despite its low fame, not least that it is the only oxygen is extremely limited. Central to this survival is the bacterial disease to have a heavy-metal ability to catalyse a truncated denitrification pathway in level of infectivity group named after it! It is caused which nitrite is reduced via nitric oxide to nitrous oxide. by a Gram-positive, spore-forming Harry was always meticulous in assigning credit “Mechanisms of pathogenesis bacterium, Bacillus anthracis, which where it was due. The origin of his interest in gonococcal in humans, Bacillus can be considered as the problem pathogenicity was the seminal paper by Ward & Watts can be discerned only by studying child of a group of predominantly (1971), who reported that gonococci in vivo are resistant anthracis has become soil-dwelling bacteria. As a human to complement-mediated killing, whereas those grown bacteria in vivo, not in a pathogen one could argue that it is in the laboratory are serum-sensitive. Sixteen years of the pathogen of choice not particularly successful; although research culminated immediately before his retirement laboratory shake flask.” it is able to infect domestic animals in 1988 in the demonstration that gonococci exploit such as cattle and sheep, its natural the host-derived nucleotide, cytidine monophospho-N- his review of 2007, summarizing for bioweapons. This is infectivity for humans is thought acetyl neuraminic acid (CMP-NANA) to evade killing work on the effects of lactate on the to be comparatively low. It lacks by the body’s natural defence mechanisms. CMP-NANA gonococcus and meningococcus, due to the production the ability to spread from person to is the nucleotide that delivers sialic acid to blood group again highlighting the importance person and relies on killing the host to antigens and other human cellular components. In the of metabolism to the behaviour of of a tripartite toxin, the return to the environment. Indeed, an gonococcus, the target receptor is the terminal galactose microbial pathogens in vivo. analysis of the genetic diversity of the residue of the lipo-oligosaccharide antigen that terminates organism, or rather lack of it, suggests with the tetrasaccharide lacto-N-neotetraose. Exactly Christoph Tang is Glaxo Professor of central role of which in that the bacterium spends the bulk of the same tetrasaccharide on transferrin is sialylated by Cellular Pathology at the Sir William Dunn School its time as a dormant spore waiting CMP-NANA in human blood. This was a beautiful of Pathology, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE anthrax was discovered for the next grazing victim to chance example of molecular mimicry in which the pathogen (email [email protected]) along. So, if it is such a poor patho-
2012 decorates a potential antigen on its surface with a host- Jeff Cole is a Professor at the School of by Harry Smith. gen why is it considered the principal 2012 derived disguise. Subsequently, other colleagues, including Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham G AU G AU Virginia Clark (Cornell) and Rick Rest (Pennsylvania), B15 2TT (tel. 0121 414 5440; email j.a.cole@ 162 showed that gonococcal serum resistance is enhanced by bham.ac.uk) 163 growing gonococci in oxygen-limited cultures, reinforcing LES DA Y Bacillus DA Y Harry’s emphasis that it is essential to understand microbial Further reading O O T physiology in vivo if one is to understand mechanisms of Nairn, C.A., Cole, J.A., Patel, P.V., Parsons, N.J., Fox, T microbial pathogenicity. More recently Mike Apicella J.E. & Smith, H. (1988). Cytidine 5´monophospho-N- BAILLIE (Iowa) reported that gonococci can even form biofilms in acetylneuraminic acid or a related compound is the low which the supply of oxygen is restricted. M factor from human red blood cells which induces r anthracis: While attempting to identify the small molecule from gonococcal resistance to killing by human serum. J Gen MicroBiology MicroBiology human blood responsible for serum resistance, Harry Microbiol 134, 3295–3306. MicroBiology noticed that there was a second factor that increased the Parsons, N.J., Patel, P.V., Tan, E.L., Adrade, J.R. C., resistance-inducing activity. The effects of this ‘enhancer’ Nairn, C.A., Goldner, M., Cole, J.A. & Smith, H. (1988). molecule were small, suggesting that they were indirect, Cytidine 5´-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid and despite rather than direct. The molecule was finally identified as a low molecular weight factor from human blood cells lactate, which 30 years earlier had been reported by Steve induce lipopolysaccharide alterations in gonococci when Morse and colleagues to be the preferred source of carbon conferring resistance to human serum. Microb Pathog and energy for gonococcal growth. The key role of lactate 5, 303–309. what you in gonococcal pathogenicity was confirmed by Ann Jerse Smith, H., Tang, C.M. & Exley, R.M. (2007). Effect (Uniformed Services University) by showing that a lactate of host lactate on gonococci and meningococci: new permease mutant is severely compromised in growth and concepts on the role of metabolites in pathogenicity. pathogenicity. Infect Immun 75, 4190–4198. Harry was pivotal in extending these studies to the Ward, M.E., Watts, P.J. & Glynn, A.A. (1970). Gonococci have heard related pathogen N. meningitidis. Similar effects on serum in urethral exudates possess a virulence factor lost on Coloured resistance were observed upon adding lactate to bacteria subculture. Nature 227, 382–384. scanning electron grown in the presence of glucose. However, he was able Winter, D.B. & Morse, S.A. (1975). Physiology micrograph (SEM) to show that in this case the effect was direct as lactate and metabolism of pathogenic Neisseria: partial of a cluster of metabolism is intimately linked with the biosynthesis of characterisation of the respiratory chain of Neisseria B. anthracis in a it’s not sialic acid in the meningococcus: additional lactate enhances gonorrhoeae. J Bacteriol 123, 631–636. capillary of the lung. A. Dowsett, expression of capsule polysaccharide (a homopolymer Health Protection of sialic acid) and sialylation of lipopolysaccharide, both Agency/Science promoting serum resistance. Harry’s final paper was Photo Library all bad biological warfare agent? The answer lies in the organism’s are taken up by alveolar macrophages Pasteur in the early 1880s went on ability to form heat-resistant spores capable of surviving and transported to the regional lymph to demonstrate the feasibility of explosive dissemination, which can be incorporated into a node were they undergo germination employing an attenuated strain of bomb and are capable of initiating infection via the aerosol and subsequently escape from the B. anthracis as a vaccine to protect route. macrophage to establish a systemic livestock, thus establishing history’s infection which, if left untreated, second bacterial vaccine. At the Route of infection will kill the host within 4–5 days. turn of 20th century, Metchnikoff The route of infection plays a central role in the utility The central role of a tripartite employed B. anthracis to characterize of the organism as a weapon. The traditional means by toxin, discovered by Harry Smith the ability of macrophages to kill which the bacterium gains entry into a new host includes and colleagues at Porton Down, in microbes and helped establish the field access via broken skin and across the lining of the gut wall the pathology of the disease will be of immunology. as a consequence of eating under-cooked meat from an discussed below. During the 20th century the animal that has died of the disease. Such an undertaking It has been estimated that an scientific fruits of these early endeav- sounds extremely foolhardy until you realize that in some aerosol spore attack against a major US ours, particularly the development parts of the world a dead animal is an important source city with around 1 kg of material could and extensive use of animal vaccines, of protein and that the ability to diagnose the cause of result in between 50,000–125,000 saw the status of the organism reduced an animal’s sudden demise is lacking. Natural human deaths, which probably explains to that of an exotic disease responsible infection is primarily associated with the handling of why anthrax has been weaponized for occasional outbreaks in animals spore-contaminated animal products, such as contaminated by a number of states, including the and of rare secondary infections in You’re never too old to work at the bench! meat and animal hides. For example, in recent years there UK, USA, Japan and the former humans. As a consequence, little The author and research assistant collecting samples from an anthrax burial site in have been two cases of fatal infection in the UK caused research was carried out into the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, the Turkey. L. Baillie by bongo drums made from animal skins imported from potential of anthrax to invoke physical biology of the organism outside the anthrax-endemic areas. It might surprise you to learn and psychological terror has been confines of military laboratories. Until infection had progressed beyond a certain stage, suggesting that there is currently an anthrax epidemic in the UK recognized by terrorist groups. Even the pioneering work of Harry Smith that other factors, such as the accumulation of a lethal
2012 amongst intravenous drug users due to the contamination a small-scale release has the potential and colleagues at the Microbiological toxin, may be responsible. A toxin was subsequently 2012 of a shipment of heroin with anthrax spores. Its source to cause considerable harm and Research Establishment, Porton isolated and was shown to be tripartite in nature, G AU is unknown, but as you might imagine the injection of disruption as was amply demonstrated Down in the 1950s the mechanisms comprising two biologically active subunits, lethal factor G AU 164 anthrax spores directly into the human body is ill-advised during the US postal attacks in 2001. by which the pathogen killed its host (LF, a metalloprotease) and edema factor (EF, a cyclic 165 and to date has resulted in 47 confirmed cases, of which It was this event, and the billions of had remained an enigma for 70 years. AMP modulator), and a third non-toxic, cell-binding DA Y 13 have been fatal. dollars subsequently made available by Working with guinea pigs, Harry component called protective antigen (PA). The role of PA DA Y O O T the US government, which stimulated and James Keppie observed that is to transport LF and EF into host cells. This protein owes T anthrax and bioterrorism a massive expansion of research while treatment with streptomycin its name to its ability to confer protective immunity when The primary route of infection in the context of a into the biology of B. anthracis. A effectively killed the bacteria, they administered as a vaccine and is the principal immunogen bioterror event would be via the lungs as a consequence of recent scan of the online biomedical were unable to save the animal if of the current UK and US licensed human vaccines. It inhaling an aerosol of spores. The lung is not the primary literature (Pubmed) using the search was the identification of the central role of the toxin in MicroBiology MicroBiology site of infection, rather it is the means by which the spores term ‘Bacillus anthracis’ yielded 3,145 “It was the the pathology of the disease that underpinned the massive MicroBiology enter the body. Spores which penetrate deep into the lungs entries since 2001 in contrast to expansion of research that occurred at the beginning on 1,297 papers in the preceding 115 this century. A culture of B. years (1886–2001). Indeed, the latter identification of In addition to reawakening interest in bacterial anthracis isolated half of the 19th century saw a toxins, Harry’s work showed that bacterial pathogenicity from a burial site the central role of a cow that revolution in the study of infectious factors could be identified by directly characterizing the died of anthrax diseases and a strong case can be made interaction between the bacteria and the infected host. At in north-east that this organism underpinned the of the toxin in the time, the study of pathogenicity was not a popular area Turkey. The establishment of the current disciplines of microbiology due in part to the technical and ethical circular zone of of microbiology and immunology. the pathology of challenges faced when working with animals and to the clearing represents lysis caused by lack of experimental tools with which to interpret the a diagnostic A brief history of the disease that data. Indeed, it was this lack of tools which was to hamper bacteriophage anthrax research meaningful research in this area for many decades and thus called gamma. Anthrax was the first disease of underpinned the it could be argued that Harry was ahead of his time. L. Baillie man (Woolsorter’s disease) and animals If I had to identify one area in which Harry contributed shown to be caused by a micro- massive expansion of to the field of anthrax research I would have to say it was organism, and it played a pivotal role in the discovery of the toxins, a discovery that has been the in enabling Robert Koch to establish research that occurred basis of my research for over 20 years. Thanks Harry! his postulates in 1877 by proving that B. anthracis (named by Cohn in 1872) at the beginning on Les Baillie is Professor of Microbiology at Cardiff School of Pharmacy was the cause of anthrax. Subsequent and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff Univeristy, Redwood Building, King Edward researchers such as Greenfield and this century.” VII Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3NB (tel. 0292 087 5535, email [email protected]) Hemera WEET S 2012 2012 G AU G AU
166 LIVE 167 C DA Y DA Y O O T Influenza research at Birmingham T I joined Harry in 1970 on a scepticism about this approach at the time it is now well is predominantly an upper rather than MicroBiology MicroBiology project with Dr John Stephen to pro- established that influenza virus grown in some tissues is Whilst Harry Smith is lower respiratory tract infection while MicroBiology duce a purer influenza vaccine. At antigenically and biologically different to that grown in it can produce a severe lung infection the time there was concern that con- other tissues. To give just two examples: virus grown in quite correctly recognized as in neonates, including the possible rela- taminating egg protein contributed to tissues without trypsin-like enzymes is non-infectious and tionship of influenza in babies to cot the unpleasant effects of the vaccine avirulent due to lack of cleavage of the haemagglutinin death or sudden infant death syndrome and the aim was to use antibodies, (HA); host sugars on the HA can alter antibody binding the ‘guru’ of microbial (SIDS). Why influenza virus was insolubilized by a method developed and virus virulence. limited to the respiratory tract and did by John, to hook out the virus from pathogenicity, renowned for not spread to other organs was also the egg-grown soup. After washing The ferret influenza virus model explained. My particular interest was to remove contaminants from the Funded by the MRC, Harry embarked on a wide- pioneering studies of how how constitutional symptoms such antibody ‘immunosorbent’, the virus ranging programme to examine the factors that determine as fever, headache, backache, muscle could be eluted in a much purer the pattern of influenza virus infection in adults and the pain, etc., were produced in an infec- form. While scientifically successful, young, and the signs, symptoms and severity of disease. To bacteria survive in vivo, it tion that was limited to the respiratory it did not work on an industrial scale, do this, Harry together with Dr Geoffrey Toms and myself, tract. The clue came when we ob- although the procedure was later used used his classical approach developed from studies of bacterial should not be forgotten that served that the timing of the nasal in- by Wellcome to produce their tetanus pathogenicity to compare virulent and attenuated strains of flammatory response in ferrets, which toxoid vaccine. As part of this funding virus in both animals and organ cultures of relevant tissues, the he also carried out innovative comprised predominantly phagocytes we also pursued Harry’s hypothesis latter allowing studies of virus replication under conditions not lymphocytes as others had sug- that viruses grown in vivo would be nearer to those in vivo than afforded by conventional tissue gested, correlated with the onset of different to those grown in vitro by culture. The results of these studies over 20 years are too research with influenza fever. We subsequently showed that using ferret-grown virus to immunize numerous to mention in detail here. To summarize, we the nasal phagocytes release pyro- ferrets. Although there was much explained the mechanisms underlying why influenza in adults virus. genic cytokines and clinical studies by others demonstrated that such cyto- “Many and the link between apoptosis, pro- kines induced all the constitutional inflammatory cytokines, and influenza symptoms of influenza. However, levels morbidity and mortality. These of pyrogenic cytokines induced in countries studies demonstrated that the relative ferret nasal phagocytes in vivo did not interaction of the virus HA with its correlate with levels of fever, neither have now sialic acid receptor was a major factor did the levels of these cytokines stim- influencing not only infectivity but ulated by influenza virus in human stockpiled also apoptosis, and the viral NA played phagocytes, suggesting that more than an indirect role in apoptosis induction one cytokine might contribute. The Tamiflu at virus entry by removing sialic acid virion HA and/or neuraminidase (NA) from the HA, thereby increasing induced these cytokines, but interest- to treat receptor binding. However, other ingly they were only pyrogenic when viral proteins were also involved, since presented on a virus-like particle, patients fusion proteins between PB2, NS1 explaining how killed whole-virus and M and herpes simplex virus VP22 vaccines induce the symptoms of in the induced apoptosis when expressed in influenza while subunit vaccines do not. cells. VP22 was used so that expressed Importantly, from the clinical point event of a proteins would transfer from cells of view, fever was demonstrated to be originally transfected to others. a host defence mechanism such that pandemic.” Generation of recombinant viruses treating infected ferrets with sodium by reverse genetics confirmed these Model of the Tamiflu molecule. Dr Tim Evans/Science Photo Library salicylate prolonged and increased results, although the combination of virus shedding, suggesting that treating genes required appeared to be strain- influenza with antipyretic drugs is specific, highlighting the difficulty of caspase (Z-VAD-fmk) inhibitors, then expression of some have now stockpiled Tamiflu to treat
2012 probably detrimental. predicting the virulence of new strains cytokines was increased, suggesting that apoptosis dampens patients in the event of a pandemic. 2012 that arise in nature. the inflammatory response to reduce damage whilst still In other studies, the cyclopentane NA G AU Cytokines and Although apoptosis is by defini- stimulating the immune response. Reduced cytokine release inhibitor BCX-1812, now known as G AU 168 symptoms tion a non-inflammatory response, was associated with fragmentation of the Golgi body. Peramavir (BioCryst Pharmaceuticals), 169 The work was continued after we showed that expression of pro- was also active in ferrets, but its poor DA Y Harry’s retirement in 1988 by myself, inflammatory cytokines and chemo- Tamiflu bioavailability in humans has hindered DA Y O O T collaborating with Harry. The same kines, such as CCL2 and CCL5, was The establishment of the ferret model of influenza its clinical development. However, it is T approach of comparing virulent upregulated during influenza virus in- virus infection, where both respiratory infection and currently undergoing phase 3 clinical and attenuated viruses was used to fection of bronchiolar cells. However, constitutional symptoms can be measured reproducibly, trials administered via intramuscular examine the mechanisms underlying if cell death was inhibited by the allowed assessment of the efficacy of antiviral compounds. or intravenous routes. virus-induced cell death by apoptosis caspase-8 (Z-IETD-fmk) and pan- There is much concern that while vaccines are important While Harry was not always an MicroBiology MicroBiology for protecting against seasonal influenza, it will not be easy person to get along with, he was MicroBiology possible to generate and manufacture new vaccines always helpful and supportive of his rapidly enough to protect against future pandemic research colleagues. He was totally strains such as avian H5N1 and A/H1N1pdm09 (‘swine dedicated to his research to the extent flu’). Consequently, much research has been directed at that when external funding was not identifying new anti-influenza virus antivirals. The NA forthcoming for PhD students he cleaves terminal sialic acid residues from glycoproteins, contributed his personal money to glycolipids and oligosaccharides, and is required for keep the projects going. I shall always elution of newly synthesized virions from infected cells. be extremely grateful to him for that. The enzyme active site is conserved among all influenza A Clive Sweet is an Honorary Senior and B viruses. We examined two NA inhibitors, GS4116 Research Fellow in the School of Biosciences, College and GS4071, designed by Gilead Sciences Inc., together of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of with their ethyl ester prodrugs for oral bioavailability in Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT (tel. our ferret model, but only GS4071 and its prodrug showed 0121 628 1247; email [email protected]) good bioavailability. It was then shown to reduce peak virus titres in nasal washings and eliminated constitutional Further reading responses, including fever, nasal signs (sneezing, nasal Brydon, E.W.A., Morris, S.J. & Sweet, C. (2005). discharge, mouth breathing) and decreased activity. On Role of apoptosis and cytokines in influenza virus the basis of the lack of toxicity in various animal species morbidity. FEMS Microbiol Rev 29, 837–850. together with these studies in ferrets (and mice), the Smith, H. & Sweet, C. (1988). Lessons for human Tamiflu capsules to be taken orally. Jan Van compounds were clinically trialled by Roche as oseltamivir influenza from pathogenicity studies with ferrets.R ev De Vel/Reporters/Science Photo Library and subsequently marketed as Tamiflu. Many countries Infect Dis 10, 56–75. s your paper, look at the editorial board (do you
Publications are one of the E t see names you recognize?). s Use Jane to help you Appropriate to your paper format. Check N key indicators of success as a pick a journal for your that the journal publishes the type of paper you paper LI want to write (e.g. review, note, case report, short
researcher (and an important D communication). Check whether there are length Go to www.biosemantics. restrictions, or limits on the number of figures that part of your CV when applying org/jane/, enter the manuscript can be included and if they accept supplementary title or abstract and click iologi
information. GRA for research positions). This ‘Find journals’. Jane (Journal/ b Requirements of your funding body. Does Author Name Estimator) your funder require you to publish your work as article explores two aspects will compare your input to
ro open access – if so, you need to check whether the contents of Medline to
c the journal offers this service. of publishing your research – identify journals that publish similar work. It gives you a list FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GETTING PUBLISHED choosing the best journal to of journals together with their How to get published. Presentations from the SGM Spring 2011 article influence score (a value Conference – www.sgm.ac.uk/news/videoportal.cfm submit your manuscript to and greater than one indicates that Getting published. Microbiology Today, May 2008 – each article in the journal has www.sgm.ac.uk/pubs/micro_today/pdf/050807.pdf the advantages of collaborating above average influence, i.e. Search for and view the Eigenfactor and article influence scores for it is likely that someone will any journal – www.eigenfactor.org
to boost your publication areer mi read it). Publishing your research. Vitae – includes links to other resources – c 2012 2012 number. www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers/1298/Publishing-your-research.html G AU G AU 170 171 Publish or perish Collaborate or the Hayes-Burnet Award to travel to Australia. The Award recipient DA Y DA Y O The accepted method of communicating your research to fellow Citation metrics. There are a number of will present their research at O T stagnate T scientists is by publishing it in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The systems that attempt to measure the quality and the other society’s main annual process of getting a paper published involves several steps – writing impact of a journal (impact factor, Eigenfactor and Collaborating with other laboratories and conference and visit a research the paper, submitting it and dealing with editors’ and reviewers’ article influence score). These measures may help researchers can bring many benefits (indeed many laboratory for a period of 1–3 comments. How you do each of these impacts on whether your guide your choice – generally journals with higher or early funding schemes now require submissions from weeks to establish a new, or f MicroBiology MicroBiology paper is published or not and how long it takes. scores are read by more people and viewed as multiple labs working in collaboration). In terms of strengthen an existing research MicroBiology In this article Karen McGregor gives an overview of the factors more desirable to publish in – but don’t use this publications, you can more readily generate data collaboration. The visit can be that may influence your decision of which journal to submit your as the sole basis for your decision. Do remember e for publication if there are more of you working used to learn a new technique paper to. Do also seek advice from colleagues who have experience that there are many examples of microbiology c on the project. If you are in a small research or to carry out a defined piece as authors, reviewers and journal editors. Remember, sending articles published in Nature or Science that have group, collaboration can allow you to generate of research. During the visit the vi your manuscript to an inappropriate journal can potentially slow been cited less times than articles in the specialist competitive research at a level that is required for recipient will deliver a research d publication by many months, or result in rejection, meaning you microbiology journals. publication in good journals. Having input from a seminar to members of the have to start the submission process all over again. Speed of publication. This may be particularly diverse group of people (potentially with different department. a important in the early stages of your career – it skills and expertise) is a good way to generate new The eligibility criteria, rules The two most important questions to ask are: gets you and your research seen quicker by the ideas and technologies – it can take you to places and application forms for each – will they accept my paper? scientific community (and starts building citations nd that you would never otherwise think of going with scheme are available from the – who will read my paper? sooner). For articles published in a journal look your research. SGM website (www.sgm.ac.uk/ at the dates of submission, acceptance and a To help early-career researchers (within 5 grants). The closing date for Scope of the journal. There are many (hundreds) of journals to publication as a guide for when your article s years of being awarded their PhD) raise their applications to these schemes for choose from, ranging from general science to highly specialist in your might be published. Check whether the journal profile and initiate collaborations SGM, together 2013 is 30 November 2012 field of interest. Papers submitted to more general journals will only offers advance online publication of accepted with the American and Australian Societies for Previous recipients of these be accepted if the findings have impact to workers outside your papers. ate Microbiology, offers annual awards to support awards talked to Karen McGregor field of interest. More specialist publications may give you space Appropriate to your field of research. As the reciprocal exchange of one Society member about their experiences and the
to describe fine details of the method, or give a more extensive well as looking at the articles published by the pd between countries – the Heatley-Payne Award for benefits they gained as a result of
analysis of the results. journal to see if they are on similar topics to u a UK-based researcher to travel to the US, and receiving the award: Heatley-Payne Award Hayes-Burnet Award OTHER SGM INTITIATIVES UK recipient (2011)* – Daniel Tromans, UK recipient (2010)* – Amanda Rossiter, TO SUPPORT EARLY-CAREER University of East Anglia and John Innes University of Birmingham MEMBERS IN ESTABLISHING Centre Attended – Australian Society for Microbiology COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS Attended – ASM General Meeting, New Orleans Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney Scientific Meetings Travel Visited – David Newman, National Cancer Visited – Mark Schembri, University of Grants – funds to support Institute, Frederick, Maryland Queensland, Brisbane conference attendance in the
Dr Newman gave a seminar at my department yser I became aware of the SGM Hayes-Burnet award H UK and overseas. Giving a not long after I started my PhD. After the during the third year of my PhD studies. I liked the presentation at a conference
seminar I spoke to him about a potential visit Joseph collaborative nature of this award, and contacted will showcase your work to to his laboratory and he agreed. My PhD was US recipient (2012) – Joseph Hyser, Baylor Mark Schembri, University of Queensland, who other researchers and raise
investigating the natural product pacidamycin, a College of Medicine my supervisor had met previously. I submitted my utler your profile. Use your time B Attended – SGM Spring Conference, Dublin secondary metabolite produced by Streptomyces application and was thrilled to be selected as the Jeff at the conference to network with activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Visited – Stephen Griffin, Leeds Institute of award winner that year. with researchers and identify and Dr Newman’s lab was using a number of Molecular Medicine The aim of my research visit was to apply Australian recipient (2010) – potential collaborators. Choose techniques for natural product extraction that The primary goal of my visit was to be trained to what I had learnt from my PhD studies on the Jeff Butler, WHO you conference wisely to I was keen to learn. My visit was designed to perform the viroporin inhibitor screening assay enteric pathogen enteroaggregative Escherichia Collaborating Centre for maximize your targetted increase my understanding of the techniques developed by Dr Griffin. To maximize the benefit coli, to investigate whether similar principles were Reference and Research on networking opportunities. available for my work and to allow me to develop of the training we had spent a long time prior to necessary for the pathogenesis of the urinary Influenza, Melbourne Applications should be a more comprehensive view of natural product the visit identifying a small library of compounds tract pathogen uropathogenic E. coli, on which Attended – SGM Spring submitted in advance of the research. Following this visit I was able to share to screen. This preparation paid off as during my Professor Schembri is an expert. The visit proved Conference, Edinburgh conference. www.sgm.ac.uk/ this knowledge with members of my home visit I identified several compounds that appear to be very successful – it resulted in a collaborative Visited – Rod Daniels, WHO grants/smtg.cfm 2012 2012 laboratory. to block rotavirus NSP4 viroporin activity. I will publication and formed the basis for a significant Influenza Centre, MRC G President’s Fund for Research continue the evaluation of these compounds National Institute for AU The ASM general meeting was fantastic – I part of my PhD thesis which I submitted in 2011. I G AU Visit Grants – funds to support really enjoyed the breadth of research being in my own laboratory with a collaborative have maintained the collaboration with Professor Medical Research, Mill Hill 172 a 1–3 month visit to another 173 discussed and I got to speak to a number of publication already being planned on this work. Schembri and we have extended the initial work Receiving this award and visiting laboratory to carry out a prominent researchers in my field, as well as This award has given me the opportunity to to other aspects of microbial pathogenesis. the laboratory in the UK was the DA Y defined piece of laboratory- DA Y O share my work with a new and diverse group of first step of what has become an O T meeting fellow PhD students from some of the The experience of travelling to Australia and T based research. Two rounds most prestigious research institutes in the US. researchers as well as establish new professional working within another research laboratory was on-going collaboration between of applications per year. Next Receiving this award has improved my relationships, both with researchers I met at the an amazing opportunity offered by the SGM. The our groups to investigate the closing date is 21 September confidence in writing applications for funding and conference and those in Leeds. It has been a award has enriched my academic standing and, effect of novel amino acid changes 2012. www.sgm.ac.uk/grants/ increased the impact of my CV – which I hope very memorable experience, full of outstanding most importantly, highlighted the rewards of – within influenza viral proteins. The pfrv.cfm MicroBiology MicroBiology will help me next year when applying for post- scientific (and social) interactions and I highly in fact the necessity of – initiating independent opportunity to meet the scientific MicroBiology doctoral positions. recommend early-career researchers to consider collaborations. I am currently working as a leaders in my field and discuss Applications to these schemes applying for this award. Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham my research data provided me are invited from PhD students and hope to draw from lessons learnt as a result with invaluable insight regarding and researchers in their first UK visit host – Stephen Griffin, Leeds Institute of Molecular of this experience to aid in fulfilling my longer- future research directions for postdoctoral position (in a Medicine term career aspirations of leading an independent my project. The award is highly country in the EU), new graduate Hosted – Joseph Hyser, US recipient 2012 microbial pathogenesis research group. regarded by microbiologists, both scientists or lecturers (within 3 My laboratory was fortunate enough to benefit from this award in Australia and the UK and it years of first appointment in the this year by hosting the visit by Joseph Hyser. Our labs had added significant value to my CV UK or Ireland). previously interacted by email, but the opportunity for one-to- – it even helped me secure my one communication and exchange of ideas has been massively next job. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT enabling to both of us and has laid the foundation for a long-term, WORKING COLLABORATIVELY Vicens, Q. & Bourne, P.E. (2007). Ten simple productive and enjoyable collaborative relationship. *In 2010 and 2011, the SGM rules for a successful collaboration. PLoS I believe it is very difficult to do competitive science nowadays awards were granted to PhD Comput Biol 3(3), e44 (www.ploscompbiol.org/ without collaborating – of the papers published by my lab in the last students. The eligibility criteria article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.0030044) 5 years, only about 20% had no input from another laboratory. I were changed in 2012 to The Collaborative Researcher. Vitae 2-day would actively encourage other group leaders to take advantage of members who are within 5 years course; places are free, but you will need to ossiter romans R
T opportunities offered to host a visit and if approached by potential of being awarded their PhD cover your own travel expenses (www.vitae. visitors from the US or Australia would advise them to apply for this (in line with the American and ac.uk/researchers/342411/The-Collaborative- manda Daniel award from their own microbiology society. A Australian schemes). Researcher.html) During what seems like the only week of summer weather “The Chelsea Flower Show provides a novel and the UK has experienced this wide-ranging audience among whom to spread the year, SGM welcomed over message of the importance of microbes in the soil 4,000 visitors to its stand in and the rhizosphere. While most visitors to the SGM the Great Pavillion at the stand were intrigued to discover the breadth of this RHS Chelsea Flower Show. microbial activity, I was pleasantly surprised by how The theme was The New many horticulturalists were already well informed Green Revolution, highlighting about the role of microbes in the soil. However, best beneficial interactions between of all was seeing children getting excited by seeing microbes and plants. In a the little “beasties” for themselves.” Colin Harwood space designed to make visitors feel they had entered the underground world of plant roots, acetate displays, interactive animation and video screens, and material for inspection by microscope and hand lens focussed on mycorrhizal fungi and root nodules, raising awareness of plant–microbe interactions in
2012 the context of food security. 2012 AUG AUG “It was delightful to find some 174 microbiology amongst the flowers 175
Y SGM at RHS Chelsea May 2012 Y at Chelsea. SGM’s display A A D Building on the work of the SGM Position brought microscopy, plants and D TO TO Statement on Food Security and Safety, Professor microbiology together in a really Nigel Brown (Chair) said ‘In the long term, we interesting and ingenious way.
iology hope that research aimed at a fuller understanding Plants grew along the top of iology B B of the role of soil micro-organisms will allow us to the display, showing their root produce healthy crops in a wider range of locations, nodules through Perspex pots, Micro Micro such as in poor soils or drought areas, and that the and visitors to the stand could results of this research will be widely implemented also look at the nodules up close to solve the problems of food shortage and climate under the microscopes. Lovely change‘. publicity material, cheerful and The hard work of the team behind informed presenters – spreading the exhibit was rewarded with a prestigious the microbiology message! Great!” Silver-Gilt RHS medal, not to mention a royal “Raising the awareness of micro- Joanna Verran visit! organisms, the influences and the SGM gratefully acknowledges the roles they play in soil and how following scientists for their help and support they interact with plants with in developing this exhibit: Dr Christina Hazard visitors to the SGM stand was (University of Aberdeen); Dr Angela Hodge a great experience. Seeing the (University of York); Dr Paul A. Hoskisson astonishment on the faces of the (University of Strathclyde); Rachel Roberts visitors as we made them aware (University of Reading); Dr John Schollar that lots of the processes they rely (NCBE, University of Reading). Photos I. Atherton on in their gardens and allotments are down to micro-organisms was lots of fun.” Paul Hoskisson Q Why was CaSE originally set our view, many of these were made without top talent, and thus what specific y The Campaign for Science up and what was its remit? proper consideration of their effect on science changes to the rules we would like c A CaSE was originally founded and engineering, so we’re still trying to argue that the Government to make. and Engineering (CaSE) is an in 1986 as ‘Save British Science’ retrospective action is needed to repair the damage. (SBS) by a group of scientists who For instance, we’ve had success in saying that the Q How does the UK’s science oli important non-governmental were concerned about cuts to Home Office needs to exempt scientists from new base look today? In these p research. 1,500 of them pitched visa restrictions, and that the Higher Education straightened economic times, group that raises scientists’ in together to buy a full-page Funding Council for England (HEFCE) needs to delay are you hopeful for the advert in The Times calling on the changes to the funding mechanism for university future, or pessimistic? voices in the political sphere. then Prime Minister, Margaret science and engineering departments. A There’s no reason why UK Thatcher, to address the crisis science can’t continue to lead the In this interview, Oxford in British science funding. The Q What are the barometer issues in science world for decades to come. Our advert generated a huge amount policy in the coming years? research base is currently one of biology graduate and CaSE of media interest and led to A The flashpoints will be the next Spending Review the best in the world. In terms of meetings at the highest levels of – which will see every penny of public spending quality of output we beat almost Director Imran Khan explains government, so the instigators reviewed, and probably take place in late 2013 or every other nation, other than kept the initial group together and early 2014 – and the next General Election in 2015, the USA. When you take into why his organization matters. the rest, as they say, is history. when all parties will be setting out their priorities. account value-for-money, we’re We have to make sure that science is in the minds way ahead of even the Americans Q How has CaSE evolved over time? the importance of both, and of all the main players for those two events. – so there’s a lot to be optimistic A The most obvious change has been the switch from SBS to CaSE. don’t favour one side. I think this about. On other measures we’re In the mid-2000s, the organization recognized that British science, approach helps policy-makers Q What is ‘science policy’? What does it mean to not doing so great. Every year the 2012 2012 although still in need of support, was no longer in crisis. So our name understand who we are and you – and how is it useful to microbiologists? UK spends approximately 1.8% G was changed to CaSE, reflecting that we now have a slightly different where we’re coming from, which A There are two types of ‘science policy’. of its overall wealth on research AU G AU remit. can only be a good thing. One is ‘science for policy’ – in other words, how and development (that figure 176 177 We’ve also expanded our focus beyond issues of research you use scientific evidence to create good public includes private as well as public funding, as important as they are. We now campaign for the scientific Q What is your role and policy. This includes everything from food regulation, spending) – but the figures for DA Y DA Y O angle on everything from education to immigration, as well as what projects are currently epidemic contingency planning, energy policy, and competitor nations like Germany, O T T looking at issues like social and gender diversity within science and important to you? whether or not embryo research should be allowed. the USA and South Korea are 2.7, engineering. A We’re here to raise the It’s mainly concerned with how we translate the 2.8 and 3.4%, respectively. We A longer-term aim is to improve scientific representation in political profile of science and work being done by scientists into the way in which need to improve that if we are politics and government, both by helping politicians understand what engineering. We want to get the UK (and indeed the world) is run. to turn ourselves into a genuine MicroBiology MicroBiology the issues facing scientists today are, but also by encouraging scientists political decisions that properly The other type is ‘policy for science’, and this knowledge economy that’s more MicroBiology themselves to get more involved – and perhaps even consider reflect the national importance is what CaSE concentrates on. It’s the process focused on science. running for elected office. of these subjects. of creating and changing public policies which A big change has been our support base. Originally, we relied on In the current climate, affect science. Funding and education are obvious Q How can scientists contribute donations from individual researchers. We still have that as a focus, often that comes back to examples; without them we wouldn’t have a science to science policy? but over the years we’ve moved towards looking to organizations for funding – there’s a real worry establishment in the UK. It also includes issues such A My first bit of advice is to support. We now gather funds from over 100 bodies ranging from that stagnation in research as the structure of academic publishing and libel engage with your local MP. Out of universities, companies, charities – and indeed societies like SGM – funding could continue, reform. 646 elected Parliamentarians, only who enable us to be independent and speak out in the interests of particularly if the economy one has had a research career (Dr the sector as a whole. doesn’t pick up. A big part of Q How do you determine your priorities – and Julian Huppert) – compared to 86 what we’re doing is trying to how do you bring your influence to bear? lawyers, for instance. This means Q What was the rationale behind expanding the campaign to make the argument that unless A Our priorities are very much driven by the that we can’t expect politicians to include engineering and does the organization also campaign on we see investment in science, the interests of our members as a whole. When we understand the issues facing our behalf of the other STEM subjects – technology and maths? long-term prospects for the UK’s try and speak for everyone from microbiologists to sector unless we communicate A We definitely see all STEM subjects as within our remit, but scientific excellence are dire. Rolls Royce and Google, we have to concentrate properly, so it’s up to us to engage I suppose that within STEM there is a slight distinction between Additionally, we’ve on what will affect them all. Inevitably, it tends to be with MPs. Inviting your local MP to science and maths on one side, and engineering and technology on seen major reforms to schools, the cross-cutting issues which we work on, but we visit your lab or institution can be the other. They do have huge amounts in common, but there are immigration and higher do rely on direct feedback from our members in a great first step for both of you, different National Academies for science and engineering, for instance. education since the coalition deciding where to focus – for instance, what impact and is the kind of thing CaSE is It’s useful that we’re able to emphasize that we’re passionate about government came in. In visa rules are having on a university’s ability to attract happy to help facilitate. roy D. sleator Recent recommendations by the National Ferreting Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) to redact key methodological out the details of two studies involving mammal- to-mammal transmission of the H5N1 (H5) subtype influenza viruses, have led to facts behind I had a little bird, a temporary moratorium on all research Its name was Enza, involving live H5N1 or H5 HA reassortant the H5N1 I opened the window, viruses shown to be transmissible in and in-flew-enza. ferrets. What events led to this impasse controversy Children’s Rhyme, 1918 and what will be the impact? 2012 2012 Electron micrograph In the summer of 1974, The recommendations resulting from of avian H5N1 (H5) subtype influenza virus. Specifically, replicate the reported experiments G AU of the H5N1 in response to serious concerns Asilomar, issued in July 1976, proved studies enabling the virus to move from mammal-to- (NIH Press Release, www.nih.gov/ G AU 178 influenza virus. about the safety of the then remarkably effective; informing the mammal by respiratory transmission, and subsequent news/health/dec2011/od-20.htm). 179 Reproduced with permission from nascent field of recombinant official US guidelines on research on recommendations by the National Science Advisory Board The US Government, accepting 1 DA Y Nature Publishing DNA technology , Paul Berg, recombinant DNA technology to this for Biosecurity (NSABB – a Governmental advisory body the NSABB recommendations, DA Y O O T Group chairman of the US National day. set up to inform the research community about research relayed the imprimatur of redacted T Academy of Science’s Committee Four years after this landmark involving agents that pose potential threats to national publication to the researchers and the on Recombinant DNA Molecules meeting, when the dust had finally security and/or public health) to redact key manuscript associated scientific journals. Both Assembly of Life Sciences, submitted settled on the recombinant DNA details in an effort to prevent the studies from being easily parties reluctantly agreed, with the a letter to Science2 calling for a controversy, Donald S. Fredrickson, replicated by individuals of ‘nefarious intent’. proviso that the Government devise MicroBiology MicroBiology voluntary moratorium on certain the then director of the National an equitable process for sharing MicroBiology recombinant DNA experiments Institutes of Health (NIH), published The story so far … the details of the experiments with which the committee deemed to a history of the guidelines, concluding In October 2011, the NSABB was asked to review ‘responsible’ scientists and clinicians. be potentially dangerous. The now with the following prophetic two papers – one by Ron Fouchier and colleagues of However, while the compromise infamous Berg Letter also called for statement: ‘Faced with real questions the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the other went too far for many, it simply was the establishment of ‘an international of theoretical risks, the scientists paused by Yoshihiro Kawaoka and his team at the University not enough for others – a feeling meeting of involved scientists from all over and then decided to proceed with caution of Wisconsin (both currently under review by Science crystallized by an editorial in The New the world … to further discuss appropriate … Uncertainty of risk, however, is a and Nature, respectively). The concerns arose from the York Times on 8 January 2012 entitled ways to deal with the potential biohazards compelling reason for caution. It will come DURC potential of the reported studies, specifically the ‘An engineered doomsday’ – calling of recombinant DNA molecules’. again in some areas of scientific research, adaptation of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A/ for the newly constructed H5N1 The meeting, held the following and the initial response must be the same. H5N1 virus to infect mammalian hosts (ferrets), such that constructs to be destroyed. Against February at the Asilomar Conference After that, the lessons learned here should it could potentially be transmitted via respiratory droplets this background of heightened public Centre, California, marked an help us through the turbulence that is sure (or aerosols). Despite regular human contact with animal interest and fear, Fouchier (the lead important milestone in the history to come.’ reservoirs (poultry) for at least 50 years, H5 strains which author of the Science paper) and of modern molecular biology3. On Fredrickson was right, it has cause sustained human disease have, as yet, failed to emerge. Kawaoka (of the Nature paper), along the final day of the conference, come again and yet again we find However, notwithstanding, the NSABB felt that the with 37 other prominent influenza participants (which included lawyers ourselves caught up in the turbulence mutations created by Fouchier and Kawaoka may expedite researchers, published a letter in and assorted members of the media, surrounding so-called dual-use research such a zoonotic shift – leading to a virus that is more easily both Nature5 and Science6 calling for a as well as the scientists) agreed that of concern (DURC) – that which has transmissible between humans and a potentially catastrophic voluntary 60-day moratorium on all the moratorium should be lifted, the potential to cause harm as well pandemic. While NSABB recommended that the general experiments involving ‘live H5N1 or and the research allowed to continue, as good. This time the controversy is conclusions of both papers be published, the manuscripts H5 HA reassortant viruses already shown albeit under stringent restrictions4. focused on the laboratory adaptation should not report the methodological details necessary to to be transmissible in ferrets’. This latter Scenes like this at the Naval Training Station, San Francisco, with rows of infected patients, were common during the 1918 flu pandemic.H istory must not be permitted to repeat itself, through ignorance or neglect. US Naval Center
day Berg letter also called for an Asilomar-like meeting for human H5 infections is in the range of 50–80%. On 2 May, Nature finally published in which ‘the scientific community comes together to discuss Derived from a list of H5 cases confirmed under WHO the 11-page study, by the Kawaoka Humans have always made and debate these issues’. The World Health Organization guidelines; the list tallies 573 cases in 15 countries with a group10; elegantly describing how convened this meeting in Geneva on 16–17 February 2012. ~60% mortality rate. However, a literature search reveals stitching a mutated version of a use of data encryption to Attended by the lead researchers of the two offending seropositivity in humans resulting from H5 infections to be key viral protein (haemagglutinin) studies, representatives of Science and Nature, bioethicists in the order of 0.2%–5.6%, at least an order of magnitude from the H5N1 bird flu virus onto and directors from several WHO-collaborating laboratories lower than that reported by the WHO. Thus, it is entirely the human H1N1 virus results in a communicate important specializing in influenza, the Geneva symposium reached likely that the case fatality rate for H5N1 in humans is hybrid strain capable of binding more consensus on two important issues: significantly lower than previously reported. Moreover, strongly to mammalian cells and messages. Can modern-day forms oore 1. The temporary moratorium on research with newly ferrets are not humans; as a model organism they are copying itself at high enough levels to M modified H5N1 viruses must continue, while allowing more susceptible to infection with influenza viruses and be readily transmitted via respiratory of digital encryption, such as &illar
research on naturally occurring H5N1 influenza virus are also more likely than humans to exhibit disseminated, droplets. M . to proceed; multiorgan disease, including neurologic sequelae resulting The Science paper of Russell et al., A 2. Delayed publication of the entire manuscripts from virus replication in the brain. Furthermore, passage (Science 336, 1541–1547; www.science QR codes, be used to educate would have more public health benefit than urgently of the virus in ferrets, the approach taken by Fouchier mag.org/content/336/6088/1541. publishing the incomplete story. and Kawaoka, is more likely to tailor viral pathogenesis full) was published as Microbiology Today the peer group who are most at specifically to that host rather than human. Indeed, virus went to press. ‘More sinn’d against than sinning’ passage in a non-human host has frequently been used to home with new technology about This is not the first time the influenza community reduce viral virulence in humans, and has been successfully Roy D. Sleator, Department of Biological has faced the DURC issue. In 2005, a similar controversy applied to the generation of several attenuated viral Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology, Rossa Avenue, Peter J. erupted around the recreation of the infamous ‘Spanish vaccines, including poliovirus. Rather than engineering Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland (tel. +353 21 433 sexually transmitted infections? Cherie B. flu’; the 1918 pandemic virus which claimed the lives of an a hypervirulent H5N1 variant for humans, the Fouchier 5405; email [email protected]). estimated 50–100 million people – approximately twice the and Kawaoka studies may in fact have led to an attenuated number killed during the previous 4 years of World War I. human variant – though this is simply unknowable from references
2012 Following the discovery in the 1990s of partially degraded the available data. In any case, viable vaccine candidates 1. Singer, M. & Soll, D. (1973). Guidelines for DNA 2012 samples of the 1918 virus in the lung tissue of US soldiers for H5 viruses do exist and available influenza medications hybrid molecules. Science 181, 1114.
G AU Deciphering G AU who had succumbed to the ‘Spanish flu’, researchers were have been shown to be effective against H5 strains. 2. Berg, P., Baltimore, D., Boyer, H.W. & others 180 able to salvage and amplify the viral RNA. With the 1918 (1974). Letter: Potential biohazards of recombinant 181 influenza virus coding sequence to hand, Tumpey and Publish or perish DNA molecules. Science 185, 303. 7 DA Y colleagues used a reverse genetics approach, i.e. taking an Thus, perhaps our fears should focus more on the 3. Whelan, W.J. (1995). Asilomar: 20 years on. DA Y O O T existing contemporary influenza virus of lesser virulence consequences of forced scientific censure, rather than the FASEB J 9, 295. infectious T and, one by one, swapping its genes with those from the unlikely worst case scenarios (be they real or imagined) 4. Berg, P. (2008). Meetings that changed the world: 1918 pandemic strain – thereby creating (or recreating) a resulting from a full disclosure of the facts. Playing devil’s Asilomar 1975: DNA modification secured.Nature live version of the extinct ‘Spanish flu’. While the NSABB advocate, let us consider for a moment a scenario in which 455, 290–291. was also convened in this instance, their recommendations the NSABB had blocked, or redacted, publication of the 5. Fouchier, R.A., Garcia-Sastre, A. & Kawaoka, Y. 7 diseases MicroBiology MicroBiology were far less punitive than those handed down to Fouchier Tumpey 2005 influenza paper ; would the world be a safer (2012). Pause on avian flu transmission studies. MicroBiology and Kawaoka – the Tumpey paper was published in full. place? Nature 481, 443. An encrypted telegram was sent in January 1917 Indeed, several other high-profile influenza-related studies The answer is quite simply no! In this scenario, we 6. Fouchier, R.A., Garcia-Sastre, A., Kawaoka, Y. by German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann via have apparently flown below the NSABBs radar, many of would not know that the 1918 virus is sensitive to the & others (2012). Pause on avian flu transmission the German Ambassador in Washington DC, Johann which arguably pose a similar if not greater threat than seasonal flu vaccine as well as to the common flu drugs research. Science 335, 400–401. von Bernstorff, to the German Ambassador to Mexico, that of the Fouchier and Kawaoka studies. In 2006, for amantadine (Symmetrel) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu), and so 7. Tumpey, T.M., Basler, C.F., Aguilar, P.V. & others Heinrich von Eckhardt, offering US territory to Mexico example, both Science and Nature carried reports of specific poses no serious pandemic threat at this time9. Without (2005). Characterization of the reconstructed 1918 in return for joining the German cause. Fortunately, the mutations enabling the H5 viral haemagglutinin to bind the Tumpey paper7, we would still be living in fear of Spanish influenza pandemic virus.Science 310, British codebreakers intercepted and deciphered the coded to human as opposed to avian tissues. In January of this ‘nefarious intent’and the potential for ‘Spanish flu’ to be used 77–80. telegram, which thus drew America into the Great War year, a report by Chen et al.,8 published in full in the by bioterrorists. Blocking publication of the Fouchier and 8. Chen, L.M., Blixt, O., Stevens, J. & others (2012). and altered the course of world history. journal Virology, bears an uncanny resemblance to the Kawaoka studies does not make the world a safer place – In vitro evolution of H5N1 avian influenza virus The use of codes and encryption in history has generally works of Fouchier and Kawaoka; describing mutations just a less enlightened one. toward human-type receptor specificity.V irology 422, been for devisive motive. We can see from the Zimmerman in an H5N1 virus which confer air-borne transmissibility 105–113. telegram how encryption was used to mask the true intent between ferrets. Furthermore, several recent studies have Addendum 9. Medina, R.A., Manicassamy, B., Stertz, S. & others of the German Empire in the course of World War I. The been published which describe mutations that enable On 30 March 2012, following 2 full days of delibera- (2010). Pandemic 2009 H1N1 vaccine protects use of codes and ciphers dates back to much earlier times. transmission of other potentially pandemic strains between tions, the NSABB reversed its controversial decision to against 1918 Spanish influenza virus. Nat Commun 1, The ancient Egyptians used non-standard hieroglyphs ferrets or that increase the virulence potential of currently block publication of the Nature and Science papers. article no. 28 (doi:10.1038/ncomms1026). on monuments as early as ca 1900 BC. In so doing, the circulating virus strains. On 20 April, the US government, in a statement 10. Imai, M., Watanabe, T., Hatta, M. & others Egyptians successfully captured the attention of the viewer Echoing Fredrickson’s post-Asilomar assertion that delivered by Francis Collins of NIH, formally accepted (2012). Experimental adaptation of an influenza by creating unusual codes which aroused curiosity. Other we pause and proceed with caution, let us consider for the revised recommendations of the NSABB; moving the H5 HA confers respiratory droplet transmission to numerous examples of encryption have included its a moment where the true risks lie. At the heart of the controversial H5N1 manuscripts another step closer to a reassortant H5 HA/H1N1 virus in ferrets. Nature exploitation for political and religious gain. controversy is the assertion that the case fatality rate publication. (doi:10.1038/nature10831). And with codemakers come codebreakers. However, encryption also serves maximum of 7,089, 4,296, 2,953 and 1,817 characters, Exposure to sublethal clinical radio- as a means of protection, as well as relating to numeric, alphanumeric, binary (8-bit) and therapeutic doses of ionizing γ- abbreviation. The 21st century has Kanji (full width Kana), respectively. They are also highly radiation gives rise to mutants of become live to the need for protection pragmatic, in that the codes are largely dirt- and damage- Gram-negative and Gram-positive of financial assets through electronic resistant and are readable in any direction. clinical pathogens with increased Zimmermann banking and we can all subscribe to the What makes QR codes highly practical in a emerging antibiotic resistance. J Med Microbiol telegram (right), sophisticated methods of encryption world of digital literacy and adoption, is their ability to 61, 302–304]. and decoded that are now part of everyday life and be generated, as well as be read by almost anyone. QR Cipher hangs in the Northern message (below), the consequences when such systems codes can be generated with the aid of several free online Ireland Public Health Laboratory, as received by the German fail in terms of financial fraud, as well QR code generators (e.g. www.qrstuff.com) and can be Department of Bacteriology, Belfast Ambassador to as the theft of personal information adapted for various applications, including the use of free City Hospital. Its mission is to evoke Mexico, 19 January and identity. text, as well as simple links to websites and hence further the aesthetic, as well as curiosity. It is a 1917. Record Non-devisive use of encryption information. Adoption of QR codes within healthcare digital gateway to knowledge relating Group 59: General techniques has allowed for encryption has been slow. A recent Medical Marketing survey of to (left to right and top to bottom) Records of the Department of to serve as a means of abbreviation of November 2011, described that 65% of physicians surveyed salmonellosis, H1N1 influenza, State, 1756–1979. large amounts of information. Such a were unaware of this mobile information resource. cryptosporidiosis, campylobacteriosis, National Archives novel employment of encryption can Furthermore, in October 2011, the Journal of the American SARS, aspergillosis, MRSA infection, and Records serve a philanthropic purpose. Medical Association (JAMA) began incorporating QR codes HIV infection, malaria, cholera, Ebola Administration QR codes, as illustrated in the on at least one study in every issue, which directs the reader virus infection and anthrax. Through (ARC Identifiers 302025/302022). artwork Cipher, were first developed to a video of the study’s author, discussing their work. the viewer’s quest to fulfil their www.archives.gov/ by DensoWave company in the early Although technological innovation may change and curiosity of the hidden QR codes, the education/lessons/ 1990s and aided the Japanese car develop through time, the human psyche does not. The viewer of this work and decipherer of zimmermann/ manufacturer Toyota to track vehicles marvelment of things unknown still captures the human’s these codes inadvertently uses modern during the production process. ‘QR attention. In this way, we can indeed learn some valuable technology to discover their hidden
2012 code’ is a registered trademark of lessons from the early Egyptians of how to capture the messages, which refer the reader to 2012 DensoWave Inc. (www.denso-wave. curiosity of man through encryption and code. Like this sentinel web resources at the CDC. G AU com) in Australia, Europe, Japan and early civilization, the employment of unusual 21st century Employment of new and emerging G AU 182 the US, but this does not apply to the hieroglyphs, namely the QR code, offers a whole new digital media forms, such as QR 183 pattern image. They are different to medium of communication and potentially opens up novel codes, may introduce technology- Below DA Y simple one-dimensional barcodes, conduits of communication to both the donor, as well as savvy readers to educational messages DA Y Cipher – original O O T contemporary in that they carry information in the recipient of such information. In an increasingly busy relating to infectious diseases, for T digital artwork by two dimensions, as well as storing world, with continued pressures on time, a modality which example sexually transmitted diseases, Peter J.A. Moore. significantly more data, with a offers quick yet reliable information delivered through within the peer group who are the an electronic data-driven means is surely attractive to most familiar and biggest users of such healthcare professionals with an important message to be technology. heard. Infectious diseases specialists should now exploit MicroBiology MicroBiology MicroBiology MicroBiology this new technological medium to educate those peer B. Cherie Millar is Clinical Scientist groups who fully embrace such technological innovations. in Molecular Microbiology at the Northern One example may be the use of QR codes to promote Ireland Public Health Laboratory, Department of awareness of sexually transmitted diseases among the Bacteriology, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, young, who are undoubtedley the biggest proponents of Belfast BT9 7AD (tel. 028 9026 3554; email digital communications technology. [email protected]). The artist of the digital picture Cipher is Peter J.A. Mr Peter J.A. Moore is a fifth form Moore, a 5th-form Grammar School pupil at Ballymena Grammar school pupil at Ballymena Academy, Academy, Co. Antrim. Peter is interested in contemporary Ballymena, Co. Antrim, with an interest in digital art and design, both for its aesthetic and functional contemporary digital artforms. qualities. Cipher was conceived by the artist during a period of vacational research during the summer of 2011, under Further reading the supervision of Dr B. Cherie Millar at the Department Flaig, B. & Parzeller, M. (2011). The QR code in of Bacteriology, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast. During this society, economy and medicine – fields of application, period, the young artist reported on the emergence of options and chances. Arch Kriminol 227, 152–163. increased antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative, as well as Fontelo, P., Liu, F. & Ducut, E.G. (2008). QR code for Gram-positive pathogens, following γ-radiation exposure, medical information uses. AMIA Annu Symp Proc 6, 945. equivalent to those doses received by cancer patients Kulkarni, S.S. Medical journal reaches out to iPhone undergoing clinical radiotherapy for the treatment of Generation. http://capsules.kaiserhealthnews.org/index. their disease [Moore, P.J.A., Goldsmith, C.E., Coulter, php/2011/11/medical-journal-reaches-out-to-iphone- W.A., Millar, B.C., Matsuda, M. & Moore, J.E. (2012). generation/ (last accessed 14 December 2011). Enhancing s Acute oak decline ss al The oak tree is an iconic symbol in the UK, in understand the source of the disease and monitor immunity to n addition to its importance for timber and the its spread with the aim of controlling it. re malaria landscape. These trees can live for over 1,000 A collaborative effort between researchers p
our years if they escape the hazards of animals, in the UK, Spain, Belgium and South Africa has
Despite all efforts, malaria is still one of the world’s j humans and disease. A new disease, acute oak compared the bacteria associated with bark most important infectious diseases, causing around decline (AOD), is causing considerable concern. cankers and AOD from Spain and the UK. 655,000 deaths each year, particularly in young Symptoms first appeared in the UK in the 1980s, They used a battery of tests to analyse DNA
children. Widespread vaccination would make a gm but now it seems to be more common and sequences, test for specific cell chemicals and the big change, but despite decades of effort, of 20 s infections have a high mortality. It can cause death measure physiological parameters in the isolated possible vaccines that are still undergoing clinical within 5 years of oaks that have lived for several bacteria, providing a clear picture of the relationship t evaluation, only one shows enough protection to human generations. Memories of Dutch elm between the bacterial species present within oaks. ff have moved into a field trial. n disease, which killed virtually all mature elm trees There was evidence that the bacteria implicated New ideas are needed. One route to immunity e in the UK in the 1980s, have fuelled efforts to in AOD belonged to a novel genus. This genus, c now attracting attention is that people who survive prevent a similar fate for oak trees. Lonsdalea, was defined for the bacteria implicated repeated natural infections eventually become Trees suffering from AOD ooze dark sticky in causing disease in oaks. The name is in honour immune. Ways to achieve this result, but without liquid from cracks in the bark and leaf buds. These of David Lonsdale, who made a significant re hot o hot the risk and suffering from repeated illness, are cankers on the trunk give ready access to vital contribution to British forestry pathology. n now under serious study. Else Bijker and Robert Vaccines and adjuvants – tissues within the tree, and death results from
Sauerwein from The Netherlands have recently i the combined activities of bacteria, insects, fungi Brady, C.L., Cleenwerck, I., Denman, S., Venter, S.N.,
re-examined epidemiological studies of the effects s and other environmental factors. However, the Rodríguez-Palenzuela, P., Coutinho, T.A. & De Vos, P.
JMM special issue 2012 2012 of different antimalaria interventions. initial event seems to be a bacterial infection, (2012). Proposal to reclassify Brenneria quercina … G The best strategy to develop full immunity er Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 62, 1592–1602 (doi:10.1099/ AU and researchers are working to characterize the G AU The July issue of JMM is a special issue of the journal containing p ijs.0.035055-0). would probably allow people to acquire the bacteria involved. This would make it easier to 184 seven review articles on vaccines and adjuvants that were a 185 infection naturally, via mosquito bites, while using offered at a symposium on vaccines held at the SGM Spring p drugs to limit symptoms. Travellers visiting malaria- DA Y Conference in Harrogate in April 2011. These articles highlight Plague immune system evasion DA Y O endemic areas are routinely recommended to O T the current major challenges in vaccine development, as well T take antimalaria drugs to prevent infection. The The human immune system can combat pathogens, relying on perceiving general features of pathogenic as the latest advances in vaccines, novel adjuvants and vaccine- reasons why this has not been adopted by local organisms, rather than more precise detection of a specific species. The Toll/interleukin-1-like receptor delivery technologies. populations include lack of sustainability and proteins (TLRs) that make the first interaction with patterns on the pathogen start a signalling cascade The issue also includes an editorial giving an overview of hot
acceptance by the community, and the risk of s that ultimately activates the innate immune system. Bacteria also have this type of protein (called Tdp), the symposium and the reviews. All the articles are open access. MicroBiology MicroBiology drug-resistant forms of the parasite developing. but they are thought to use it to subvert their mammalian host’s signalling systems. MicroBiology Go to: However, there have been some trials Researchers have been studying a Tdp in Yersinia pestis, the pathogen responsible for plague. http://jmm.sgmjournals.org/ over the decades with administration of a This bacterium is already known to interfere with TLR signalling to its own advantage. The researchers content/current prolonged supply of antimalaria drugs into the therefore decided to study the differences in ability to evade the immune system in bacteria with and general population, or specific vulnerable groups These field and without the Y. pestis Tdp (YpTdp). The YpTdp gene sits next to a region of DNA that was acquired such as young children and pregnant women. experimental studies counter from a virus and is important for both transmission of the bacterium by its flea vector and pathogenic Despite different methods of assessment, most the long-held medical success. The YpTdp gene itself looks like it might also be from a virus. studies demonstrated reduced illness and death opinion that providing The study showed that the intact YpTdp protein reduced Spear, A.M., Rana, R.R., Jenner, in children and adults while taking the drugs and long-term antimalaria drug highlight activity in the immune signalling pathway. However, when Y. pestis
s D.C., Flick-Smith, H.C., Oyston, no increase after provision of the drugs stopped. therapy substantially impairs was tested with or without YpTdp for its ability to infect mice, there
e P.C.F., Simpson, P., Matthews, S.J., Very clear support for development of immunity development of natural was surprisingly little difference. This study therefore proposed that
n Byrne, B. & Atkins, H.S. (2012). also comes from experiments with animals and immunity to malaria. Even A Toll/interleukin (IL)-1 receptor YpTdp either has a very subtle role in virulence or is important for a human volunteers who were deliberately infected more positively, this is a o particular infection route or host. Looking for insight, the researchers j domain protein from Yersinia pestis with the malaria parasite while taking various new way of looking at an interacts with mammalian IL-1/ assessed how the bacterial cells responded to saline solutions antimalaria drugs. old problem and deserves Toll-like receptor pathways but and measured how well the cells to stuck to surfaces or clumped support to see whether it can does not play a central role in together. It became clear that cells lacking YpTdp clumped together Bijker, E.M. & Sauerwein, R.W. (2012). Enhancement be translated into an effective the virulence of Y. pestis in a much more and survived less well in saline conditions. These of naturally acquired immunity against malaria by strategy for life-long immunity mouse model of bubonic plague. results suggest very clearly that the Y. pestis Tdp protein has roles drug use. J Med Microbiol 61, 904–910 (doi:10.1099/ for people living in countries Microbiology 158, 1593–1606 in addition to immune evasion, but further work will be needed to
jmm.0.041277-0). meriel where malaria is endemic. (doi:10.1099/mic.0.055012-0). describe the complete function of this protein. s
Bodewes, R., Population Yeast Research: Small DNA Tumour Viruses s
Double trouble e Nieuwkoop, Genetics of A Historical Overview Editor K. Gaston c N.J., Verburgh, Authors J.A. Barnett & L. Barnett Publisher Caister Academic Press (2012) R.J., Fouchier, The emergence of very lethal varieties of bird flu Bacteria Publisher American Society for Microbiology (2011) Details £159.00 | pp. 324 | ISBN 978-1-90445-599-8 R.A.M., has concentrated the attention of researchers Editors S.T.Walk & P.C.H. Feng worldwide. Since 2003, almost 600 laboratory- Publisher American Society for Microbiology Details uS$159.95 | pp. 392 | ISBN 978-1-55581-516-5 Reviewer Sally Roberts, University of Birmingham
Osterhaus, our confirmed cases of this flu (influenza A type (2011) Reviewer Alan Wheals, University of Bath Small double-stranded DNA tumour viruses have long been A.D.M.E. & s Rimmelzwaan, H5N1) have been reported worldwide, and 59% Details uS$149.95 | pp. 360 This unique book has been developed from a appreciated for their provision of insight into fundamental biological review G.F. (2012). resulted in the death of the patient. Fortunately, iSBN 978-1-55581-535-6 number of articles originally published in Yeast. processes. In this sense, this book brings our knowledge of the Use of this variety cannot so far transfer regularly Reviewer Charles Penn, Written by a scientist for scientists, it covers molecular biology of this group of viruses up to date and shows that re influenza between people. However, many other, less university of Birmingham research from the late 18th century up to 2000. the power of these viruses to probe biological processes is not on A viruses lethal, varieties of flu can, so researchers think This is an excellent book, There are many useful figures, interesting original the wane. The book is composed of 14 chapters written by leading expressing n d that in time the H5N1 virus will acquire this ability celebrating Thomas Whittam quotations (including from those who got things researchers; all are of high quality and up to date (2011 references). reporter genes from them. Understanding how this happens may who died in his prime as a key completely wrong) and photographs of some of Nine of the 14 are given over to aspects of papillomavirus functions. to assess the a contributor to understanding The bias to this particular virus is difficult to avoid considering the frequency give opportunities to delay or prevent the transfer. the key protagonists. It is a book to dip into, and I of the biology of our most current nature of research and the scientific interest this virus holds. of double There are several barriers. Both viruses have ks always found myself hooked and read more than infections in to infect at the same time. Humans and pigs can important model bacterium. I planned to. Yeasts are now at the forefront of Nevertheless, polyomaviruses and adenoviruses have been, and are vitro. J Gen be infected by flu viruses adapted to both birds However, only 4 of 18 genetics research, but this book reminds us of still, important contributors to the field; perhaps to appreciate this, oo Virol 93, and mammals, giving the viruses the opportunity chapters really reflect the title. their seminal importance in the development of a little more coverage of these viruses would have been desirable. b 1645–1648. to meet and exchange genetic material. The There is very little digression biochemistry and microbiology amongst other The chapters on mechanisms of viral plasmid maintenance and on viruses have to meet within the same cell, not just towards the broader landscape sciences. Putting research into a historical context, virus interactions with cellular DNA damage response pathways do the same individual. Until now researchers had of bacterial diversity in the it should be in the library of all institutions where compare the different mechanisms used by the various viruses. The context of population genetics chapter on adenoviruses and the immune system gives an in-depth
little idea of how often co-infections happened, or these sciences are studied. Students should be 2012 2012
G if specific conditions are necessary, but a team at and evolution. It is largely a encouraged to read parts of it if only to show account of how the immune system sees this virus and how this AU the Erasmus Medical Centre in the Netherlands wide-ranging compendium of them that there was science before genomics! can be used to design effective adenovirus for vaccine delivery and G AU 186 authoritative reviews of the clinically effective oncolytic adenoviruses. Papillomaviruses are dealt 187
have devised a method to detect co-infections. iology biology of Escherichia coli, with with on several levels, including
They have trialled their methods in cultured b DA Y cells using several strains of influenza A virus. a slant towards evolutionary Bacteria: the benign, the bad, and the beautiful the function of individual DA Y O O T The key was to add a gene for a coloured and population biology with Author t.M. Wassenaar proteins, mechanisms of viral T ro protein to the viral genetic material. During an Whittam’s contributions to Publisher John Wiley & Sons Limited (2011) genome replication and how c infection, the host cell was forced to make a the field in mind, but with Details £26.95 | pp. 232 | ISBN 978-1-11810-766-9 the virus induces host genome red- or green-coloured protein along with all much else besides. There is a Reviewer John Heritage, University of Leeds instability. The inclusion of a focus on E. coli as a pathogen, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue is the antidote to panel games. In her preface, Trudy chapter on the isolation of other viral proteins. Cells with co-infections were mi MicroBiology MicroBiology but its wider existence in Wassenaar describes this book as ‘an antidote to neutralize some of the bad press that virions from different sources MicroBiology yellowish due to a mixture of the red and green f proteins. The researchers tested two methods the environment and as a bacteria frequently receive’. Nevertheless, a fair proportion of the book is devoted to for the study of papillomavirus commensal organism in the damage. To its benefit, it also considers prions, viruses, fungi, protozoa and larger infection is very timely and
for detecting the colours, one using an automated o
cell counter, the other relying s digestive tract – the ‘niche’ – is parasites alongside bacteria. The rest of the text encompasses an impressive array identifies how important it is to on high-powered microscopy also reviewed. I recommend the of topics. The text is lively and engaging, although her Editor has not always helped: understand the nature of virion
and computer analysis. al book unreservedly to anyone the promise not to use labels for the nutritional types of bacteria in an early chapter isolates for data interpretation.
Both methods gave similar s interested in the broader is broken in later chapters. On occasion, the text is too simplistic (cell envelopes are This is a very useful book, results, giving the researchers biology of E. coli and it should more than membranes) and it is occasionally wrong (penicillins DO kill bacteria). But and a valuable reference for confidence in their estimates be available in any institution these are minor criticisms. I learned from the book and, like I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, those entering the field, as well rai of the number of viral particles where microbiology is taught. I found Trudy Wassenaar’s book witty, fun and educational. as those already ensconced. needed for co-infections and pp the effects of different flu strains. Nitrification Hungry Planet: Stories of Planet Diseases They showed that cells readily Reviews on the web Editors B.B. Ward, D.J. Arp & M.G. Klotz Author g.L. Schumann & C.J. D’Arcy become infected with two types Publisher American Society for Microbiology (2011) Publisher American Phytopathological Society Press (2012)
t a Reviews of the following books Details US$159.95 | pp. 460 | ISBN 978-1-55581-481-6 Details uS$65.00 | pp. 304 | ISBN 978-0-89054-399-3 of flu virus, but also provide s are available on the website Targeted Drug Strategies for Cancer The Spread of Pathogens Through a way to study the factors e at www.sgm.ac.uk/pubs/ required. and Inflammation International Trade n micro_today/reviews.cfm. To Editors A.L Jackman & C.P Leamon Editor S.C. MacDiarmid
Green, red and yellowish cells that were infected with one or more viruses o join our panel of reviewers, email Publisher Springer-Verlag GmbH & Co. KG (2011) Publisher OfficeI nternational des Epizooties (OIE) (2011) that contain genetic material encoding different fluorescent proteins. [email protected] H Details £126.00 | pp. 265 | ISBN 978-1-44198-416-6 Details €60.00 | pp. 351 | ISBN 978-9-29044-837-2 Society for general microbiology
in April 2012, the organization iStockphoto / Thinkstock ‘Take the Flour Back’ (TTFB) Autumn conference threatened to ‘decontaminate’ field trials of genetically modified (GM) wheat which produced a pest- 3–5 September 2012 repellent aroma. The research team at Rothamsted Research publicly university of warwick requested that the TTFB did not destroy the field trial, but let it continue so that we might learn more about the Symposia topics effectiveness of such plants in the natural The dynamic genome environment. The Rothamsted team The recent demonstration against noted that the trial was approved by Next-generation sequencing: the Advisory Committee on Releases GM wheat at Rothamsted Research enabling new biology to the Environment and that biological has highlighted the importance of and physical security measures had Designer microbes been implemented. Sense about communication between researchers and Science initiated a campaign Don’t Streptococcus in health and disease Destroy Research, which attracted over the public, opinion-formers and policy- molecular motors 6,000 signatures and statements from makers. a number of organizations, including concept of the species those who had reservations about the research destroy on’t value of GM crops but thought that NIGEL L. brown Developing winning ways & COMMENT D the scientific evidence was needed. competitive success 2012 In response to this campaign, the SGM made the modification, which will cover the research use of genetic 2012
following statement: modification in plants, animals and micro-organisms, and UG A ‘The Society for General Microbiology (SGM) sees significant give some examples of how these genetic modification G AU 188 potential in the use of biotechnology research to mitigate food techniques have been used in a research context, as well Also featuring 189 .org.uk rwick2012 insecurity and the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as giving information on the regulatory systems in place. Sir Howard Dalton Young Microbiologist AY D as just one of the many tools in the researcher’s toolbox that, We wish to consult the membership on this. Although it is DA Y O O T with rigorous legislative and ethical review, may yield products or unlikely that we will get full agreement of all members on of the Year Competition T processes to improve food security. SGM will continue to inform the every aspect of the statement, it is important that the SGM Next-generation sequencing debate about the use of such technology.’ expresses a view that can be used in support of members’ iology B This was taken directly from the SGM Position work. workshop SAVE THE SAVE DATE Statement on Food Security and Safety (www.sgm. The consultation on the SGM Statement on Genetic ac.uk/PA_forms/FoodPS_Web.pdf). Micro Modification can be found at: MicroBiology In fact, the demonstration and counter-demonstration www.sgm.ac.uk/news/gmconsultation.cfm on 27 May 2012 passed peacefully, albeit with a heavy police A proper and full understanding of the scientific presence, and the field trial was not destroyed. However, the evidence is as important in the development of evidence- open discussion between TTFB and Rothamsted Research based policy for special interest groups and NGOs, as it is had not taken place several weeks later. for politicians and for Governments. At a personal level,
This event once again emphasizes the need for researchers ww w. Sgm wA I find it entertaining to speak with members of the Soil and learned societies to engage in open discussion with the Association, which has a policy of opposition to GM, on public, with politicians and Government officials, with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and with special why members are permitted to spray a close relative of interest groups – providing, of course, that these groups are the anthrax bacillus and a food-poisoning organism onto prepared to engage. organic crops [see Helgason et al. (2000) Bacillus anthracis, Whatever an individual SGM member’s view is on Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis – one species on the basis of genetic evidence. Appl Environ Microbiol 66, 2627– the value and desirability of GM crops in the food chain, iStockphoto or of GM micro-organisms in food preparation (of some 2630]. vegetarian cheeses, for example), most microbiologists It is important that we all understand and communicate Conference Office know the value of genetic modification in the laboratory. the science, its benefits and its risks. Without this, many of today’s rapid advances in the SGM, Marlborough House, Basingstoke Road, NIGEL L. BROWN FRSE FRSC FSB, SGM President-elect and understanding of fundamental microbiology, infectious Professor of Molecular Microbiology, University of Edinburgh (tel. 0131 650 Spencers Wood, Reading RG7 1AG, UK disease, and environmental processes would not have been 6443; email [email protected]) possible. e [email protected] | t +44 (0)118 988 1832 The SGM is developing a further statement on genetic Please note that views expressed in Comment do not necessarily reflect official policy of the SGM Council. society for general
Microbiologywww.sgm.ac.uk
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