OUARIERLYMAGAZINE OFTHE SOCIETY FORGENERAL MICROBIOLOGY VOLUME 27AUGUST 2OOO

Mycologytoday Weirdand wonderfu Ifu ngi Exploiting fu ngal metabolites Brewing yeastselection Yeastgenomics Fungalskin diseases Biofilms SGM Headquarters MarlborouqhHouse, Articles BasinqstolieRoad, Spencers - WoodlReadinoRG7'1AG Instituteof Learning&Teaching in Higher Education ldyou j Liz 114 Tet.o1 '1818988 1800 Shou oin? Sockett Fax 01 988 5656 [email protected] Mycologyto dayTony Tri nci ||c SGMWebsite Weirdand wonderfulfu ngi Elio Schaechter tto http://wwwsgm.ac.uk Editor Exploitationoffungalsecondary metabolites old and DrDave McL. Roberts newGeoffreyTurner 118 EditorialBoard ProfessorDave Kelly BrewingyeastselectionlainCampbell 122 ProfessorDave Rowlands Yeastgeneticsand genomics A lanWheals 126 Managing Editor JanetHurst Nowwhowouldhavethoughtit? RoyWatling 128 Production Editor lanAtherton FungiandskinH. RuthAshbee&E.GlynV.Evans 132 Assistant Editor and Biofilms:uniied they stand, divided ihey fall Book Review Manager PeterG iI berl & Hi lary Lap pi n-Scott tJo JaniceMeekings Gontributions Theseare alwavs welcome and shouldbe addressed tothe Editor (c/o SGM Headquarters). Regular Features CopyDates SocietyNews Lastdates for receiptof copy MayCouncil Meeting 140 atMarlborouoh House are: benerat LoDV AddressBook2000 140 November is3ue 4 September Newsof Members 140 February200 1 issue 4 December PrizeLectures and Awards 140 (CRC) Adveftisements StaffNews 140 Novemberissue 2 October - February2001 issue 1 5 January NewSG M President ProfessorSi r DavidA. Ho pwood 140 Above:Aselectionof Someyeasts may be - 141 Advertisements NewEd itor of Microbiology Tod ay Dr MerielG. Jones til Allenquiriesshould be sentto: Britishfungi. Can you usedas model organisms, Grants 141 JulieLauder, NWH Sales Ltd, identifythem? butdown in the pub, their NewEditor-in-Chief of Microbiology- TheArcadeChambers, Photoslan Atherton rolein the oroductionof lAO TheArcade, Aldershot, ProfessorChris Thomas l-z Hamoshire.GUll 1EE alcoholicdrinks is probably NewGroup Convener - DrGlyn Hobbs 142 Tel,0'1252 357000 consideredmore imoortant, Fax0 1252 357001 YoL27rPart3, lainCamobelliakes a look Gradline t4J [email protected] August2OOO at beerand the selection of GoingPublic 1AR SpecialMailings theyeasts used in brewing Allenquiriesshould be sentto: Fungi providethe focus for Meetings 146 (SG (p.1 22). Fu n g i producea JaniceMeekinqs M HO) thisissue of Microbiology NewScientif ic Meetings Off icer - Ter.01 189891802 Today. wholerange of useful FaxO1 189885656 secondarymetabolites, ProfessorHoward Jen kinson 147 email l.meekings@sgm,ac.uk TonyTrinci,former suchas antibiotics, as HotoffthePress 148 Subscriptions2OOO Presidentof the British Geoffrev Tu rner descri bes NON.MEMBERS MycologicalSociety, Reviews 152 Mi c ro bi o I o qv Tod av 945.00 onp, 1 1 8, but not allf ungi (US$8O.OdJ emphasizesthe importance arebenef icial - somecause SGMStaff 155 MEMBERS offungi in our lives and thehorrible skin infections Allmembers receive Microbiology oonderson the f utureof AddressBook tco Today.lnaddition they may take describedin the article bv mycology(p. 1 1 5), whilst on RuthAshbee and Glyn 160 anyof the Society's journals. 'l Diary OrdinaryMember o.1 16mushroom loverElio Evanson p. 32, MembershipSubscription (inc. Schaechterdescribes some Comment 160 Mi c ro b i o I ogy Today)S3 9.00 of theweird and wonderful Othertooics included cover (us$68.00) meansbywhich fungi thelLT, the SG M Exeter Microbiolosy|.65.00(US$ 1 25.00) meetingon biofilms and an JGvS65,00(US$ 1 25.00) dispersetheirspores, Other ltems (US$ accountof the Society's /JSFMS65,00 r 25.00) - Studentor RetiredMember Classifyingfungiwas participationthe ASM It'sajungle outthere L,A,in the 21 st century MembershipSubscription (inc. oncebelieved to be 100thGeneralMeeting, (SGM attheASM1 O0th General Meeting) Mi c ro b i o I o gy To d ay) 92O.00 straightforward,but rD NA AidanParte&JanetHursf 138 (us$33.00) sequencrngoara are Thesearticles appear in Mic ro bi o I osv S,32.00 (U S$60.00) additionto alltheregular JGvS32.0t(US$60.00) revealingsome unexpected /JSEMS65.00(US$ 1 25,00) relationships,as Roy featuresand repor'rs of UnderqraduateMember Watlingdescribes on p.1 28. Societvactivities, Memb6rshipSubscription (inc. Developmentsinmolecular Mi c ro b i ol ogy Today) S 10.00 biologyare also enabling Theviews expressed bv contributorshre not ne-cessarily thedecoding of entireyeast thoseof the Societv: nor can the genomes.On p, 1 26Alan claimsof advertiseisbe Whealsexolores the guaranteed. ensuingbenefits for O 2000The Society for General f undamentalresearch and Microbiology;ISSN : 1464-0570 the potentialapplications of Desig n: Graph ics I ntern ati onal thisknowledge. FF

lnstitute for Learning& Teachingin HigherEducation - ShouldYouioin? LizSockett :,

Experiencedun iversity WWhat is the I LT. academicscan The ILT is an organization for higher education currentlyapply for professionals,recently establishedas a result of the ik into Higher Education, to promote membershipofthe Dearing Report for learning and teaching excellencein learning and teaching in the institute newlyestablished and support universities.Membership is intendedfor academicswho in higher education Institutefor Learning canshow evidence ofinnovating and developingtheir andTeaching inHigher university teaching.ILT membershipwill provide them Education(lLT). SGM with further staffdevelopment opportunities and will education (e.g. at SGM meetings), how personal EducationOfficer Lrz give them formal recognition of their lecturing and researchis linked to teaching (including PhD Sockettoutlines the teachingskills (which might be usefulwhen seeking supervision). natureof ILT and the promotion.) It is possiblethat future QA audits of applicationprocess so university teachingmay alsouse membership figures ffiAre the benefitsof membershipworth it? thatSGMmembers asa positive indicator of a department'scommitment to There have been some fairly animated exchanges in the the value of the ILT to candecide whether teachingquality. education pages of newspapers on the practising academic, and the monetary and time membershipmay be ffiApplying to costs associatedwith applying. beneficialtothem. ioin The conventional route for academics wishing to join the Speaking from experience, it does take the best part ILT is to successfully complete an accredited Post- of a weekend to complete the application and a little 'evidence' (one graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) at photocopying time to collate the or their institution. As the ILT is a new otganizatron, it also two pieces per section seems ample). As with other (f recognizes that existing experienced academics will professional institutes there is a membership fee 7 5 aheady have the skills that such a PGCAP might p.a.). Currently there is no pro-rata subscription for part- provide to newer staff. Hence, until September 2001 time staff, something that has been criticized. Several ILT is accepting applications for membership from universities are offering to pay the fee on behalf of their experienced staff without the PGCAP. Applicants are academics, in the hope that it may improve the future required to submit a CV with two references and to TQA performance of the institution. As the ILT is complete aformwhich asks them to comment on (and if relatively new, and only holding its first education 'evidence' appropriate supply a little photocopied o0 conferences and symposia as we go to press, it is too their personal activities under six headings. early to evaluate the full benefits of membership. ILT Teaching and the support of learning - Details of courses will be publishing a refereed journal Actiue Learning and types of teaching carried out, with examples of in Higber Education; this may contain useful teaching student feedback. Details of any teaching committee ideas for scienceacademics but only time will tell. or leadership activities. However, for those academics who have wished over Design and planning of learningactivities - Details of any the years that their contribution to teaching might be teaching committee membership or any training or recognized or valued a bit more, ILT membership may guidance given to others re teaching. Details of any be for you! resourcesdeveloped for teaching. - Assessment and giving feedbackto students Details of O Full detailscan be found on the ILTwebsite the different types of assessment methods used, with http://www.ilt.ac.uU or by writing to ILT Genesis any innovations or novel approaches highlighted. 3, In n ovatio n Way, York S cie n ce Park, H es I i n gto n, go4 Explanation of how students with difficulties are YorkYOlO sDQ (feL Ot 434222). helped. Developing effective learning environments and student learning support systems - Details of student projects supervised in the lab, practical classestaught, library or web-based information tasks set or industrial placements or trips set uP. Reflective practice and personal development - Details of attendance at SGM Education Symposia and on any recent training coufses on aspects ofteaching or IT methodology. Other information - Details of any mentoring done for new lecturers, any teaching done on university lecturing training courses, any pfesentations given on

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Weirdand wonderfulfungi ElioSchaechter

Fungalspores I happen to believe that all fungi are surprising areproduced in and intriguing, and that many have stories prodigious to tell. From this extensive repertoire I have numbers.Elio chosen a few examples to illustrate a particular point, Schaechter how fungi appropriate or modify the structures and functions oftheir hosts to enhance spore dispersal. describessome If there is a theme that pervades the world of the unusual fungi, it is an intense preoccupation with the widespread mechanismsfor distribution of their spores. Fungi make prodigious theirdispersal, numbers of spores and scatter them over large areas.A middle-sized mushroom, say one with a cap 10 cm across,may make asmany as 100 million sporesper hour. Giant puffballs may produce 20 trillion spores (a figure so large that laymen may grasp it only by comparison to the national debt of industrialized countries). Making so many spores is an example of conspicuous production. In this realm, lavishness is necessary:rare is the spore that 'Thefloral germinates into successful fungal growth and helps the nrimicry fools hunkins as u)e/l as insects: botany species spread in the environment. Such wastefulness, students at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory however, is not unlike the production of millions of hauefrequently nlluted pseudoflowers thinking they were unsuccessful sperm cells by the human male. flowers and, at a distance, nany professional botanists Not only are spores made prolifically, they are also h aue rni sta ken t bemfor true fl otaeri . dispersed in the environment by an impressive array of strategies. Frequently, spores are scattered about WTheurgeto climb by mechanically intricate mechanisms. Thus, in the Many ants that normally live on the forest floor mushrooms, spores are forcefully discharged from the drastically change their behaviour when infected by hymenial surface of a fruiting body. Being light, such fungi. The kinds of fungi involved (often ascomycetes of spores are readily wafted aloft by breezesto be deposited the genus Cordyceps)do not develop rapidly, at least for at distant sites. This, however, is not good enough for some time. Becauseof this moderation, the infected ants certain fungi. For even more efficient dissemination, stay alive and remain active, but alter their deporrmenr: some species have developed cunning ways that involve they acquire an urge to climb up the stalks of vegetation modifying the behaviour or structure of their plant or and trees. \fhen reaching a ceftain height, they impale animal hosts. As is often the casein biology, some of the themselves with their mandibles and remain perched most intriguing phenomena in this field involve the aloft for the rest of their life and thereafter. Such interaction between hosts and parasites. behaviour is seen in a number of other insect groups as well: infected grasshoppers, locusts, aphids and flies also 'summit ffi Fooling the pollinators exhibit this disease'.The fungi then grow and For tweaking the host into making a new and elaborate develop fruiting bodies replete wirh spores which can structufe, the prize goes to a rust fungus, Puccinia now be dispersed from on high, possibly to be carried monoica.This species infects wild plants of the mustard over great distances (FiS. 2). -When famrly (Arabis and others) and induces them to develop the reason for the ants' urge to climb is sought, dense clusters of leavesat the tips ofstems. These rosettes the answer depends on one's tolerance for teleology. 'Because of leaves look like the petals of a rcal flower, all the more it's there'won't do, but claiming that the fungus TOP: so becausethey become covered with fungal growth. The makes the insect climb for its own benefit is also seen 't" $lg. Pseudoflowercausedby surface becomes sticky and sweet smelling. These with suspicion by some researchers.Clearly, remaining arust fungus. Pucctnia monoica, pseudoflowers, as they are called, are of a beautiful yellow on the forest duffdecreases the chances for aerial spore beingvisited hya Polygonia colour, different from that of the normal flowers of this dispersal. Flowever, getting the forest butterfly off floor means PHOiOB.A ROYREPRINTED WITH plant but similar to those of otherplants that grow in the that infected insects are exposed to sunlight, therefore PERMISSI ON FRO[/I /1//IUff 362 same area. Insects arrive, with pollen on their agenda, warming up to temperatures deleterious to the fungi. In 56-58 and poke around the pseudoflower, collecting fungal the words ofthe entomologist R.A. F{umber, 'this spores instead of the desired pollen. And off they go, is a bebauior quite analogzus t0 beadingfor a FARRIG HT: )tlur spreading spores to other plants. As seen in the warm bedand constant supply of cbicken soup whenfeeling fruitingbodies arising from a photograph (Fig. 1), the impersonation is neaily sick'. weevil. faultless. The discoverer, Dr Barbara Roy of the Swiss In addition, the infected insect may climb for altruistic PHOTOJAMES BEACH Federal Institute ofTechnology, writes, reasons, namely to avoid infecting orher members of its

m $bs$#ffiffiffi$#$*#ffiyTonAyvoL27 / AUGffi colony. This is suggested by the different behaviour of on the open market, but they constitute the main diet for Further rcading certain other insects when infected by fungi. Infected the voles. People, of course, tend to cook the mushrooms Cooke, M.C . (1892). Wguab I e larvae butterflies and moths do the opposite from the they eat, something the fungi didn't count on in their of W'aspsAndPlantWorms ants: they crawl into inaccessible spacessuch as crevices evolution. A few mushrooms are eaten raw, as in a London:Society for Promoting or beneath tree bark, as if to get^w^y from their kin. The spinach and sliced Agaricus salad and I have wondered ChristianKnowledge. (A fungus involved must develop a long stalk to make its about the viability of such spores after passagethrough highly readablebook on fruiting body effective. Sfhatever the reason, the the human digestive tract! Granted, this may not be a insectsand fungi.) interplay of signals between the fungus and the insects burning problem for investigation. Attention should Ingold, C.T. (197 1).F ungal seemsextraordinary. Is there a mechanism that keeps the rather be paid to the other bewildering and engaging Spores.Their Liberation and fungus from growing until the insect reachesa certain phenomena relating to fungi. There is no dearth of D i spersal. Oxford : Clarendon distance above the ground? \Vhat makes the insects important questions left to be studied regarding their Press.(\Tritten by an develop the urge to climb up a tree? STho gains and who effects on animal and plant behaviour. erstwhilepresident of the Ioses? B ritish MycologicalSociety, C Elio (Moselio)Schaechter is an amateur this book not only # People, voles and truffles mycologistand a retired microbiologistfrom Tufts systematizesthe subjectbut alsoprovides many cogent Human beings and other vertebrates are not immune to Universityin Boston.ln additionto hisbookon examplesand illustrations.) the commands of fungi either. Not only do people mushrooms,he hasauthored or editedseveral (L997 cultivate mushrooms, thus enhancing the fungi's microbiological textbooksand treatises.H e now Schaechter,E. ). ln tbeCompany of Musbrooms . reproductive potential, but they also hunt them in their livesin SanDiego, where he is stilllooking for Harvard,MA: Harvard natural state. If you need to be shown how human rnushrooms. Un iversityPress. (For a behaviour can be influenced by fungi,let me quote from em ai I m schaechte r@s u n stro ke.sd s u.ed u broaderview of the fungi). STorthington Smith, who, in Gardenels Chronicle, reported on the first organized mushroom hunts held by the \)ToolhopeNaturalists' Field Club, founded in 1851. He writes about Mordecai Cubitt Cooke, a leading light of that club and one of the fathers of British amateur mycology. 'Dr Cooke,furnished with a large leathery trauelling trunk (in place of a band basketor tin collectingcase) utas oneof thefirst to arriue in tbe Forest. By 4 o'clockthe Doctor's phenoruenalportilzdntedu was full of funguses. lWhere one generally looks for a tooth-brush might be found a Phallus, in place of a sponge roas a bloated Boletus, in lieu of uritingpaper, sheetsof dry*rot. Shirts were shirked, and fungi botb fruh and frouzy were in all the compartmentsof the ualise. No one but an aduanced fungologist could sotreat a pzrtmanteaa,' \Thether such activities lead to enhanced spore dispersal is debatable, although nice specimens of ceps or chanterelle continue to shed spores in the collector's basket. Because such baskets are usually made from wicker or wooden slats, there is considerable opportunity for sporesto escape.But it does not seem likely that this is an effective mechanism. More to the point is the fact that the spores of many fungi pass through the digestive tracts of vertebrates intact and are thus deposited wherever the animals go. Truffles, perhaps the most prized and certainly the most expensive fungi of all, grow underground. Humans, pigs and dogs are not the only animals that ate attracted to truffles - so are small mammals and invertebrates, which play anessential role in the dispersal of the truffles. An example is a field vole that consumes the truffle from the Northwestern United States,Tuber gibbosarn.These truffles do not compete with the famed ones of the Perigord or Piedmont, at least not

ffi sffiffiffi ffi$ffi tu€$ffiY roDAY VOL%/ AUG00m Exploitationof fungal secondary metabolitesold and new GeoffreyTurner

The fungal kingdom offers enormous bio- Fungalsecondary Table 1. Somefungal peptides metaboliteshave diversity,with around70,000 known species, andan estimated1 '5 million speciesin total. Non-ribosomalpeptide synthetasegenes havebeen beenexploited by characterized forthose shown in bold tvpe. scientistsfor many Most of these are filamentous fungi, which differ from the yeasts not only in their more complex morphology years,Geoffrey and development (e.g. asexualand sexual structures), but ACV AWagillasnidalans Turnerdescribes also in their greater metabolic complexity. In particular, Penicilliumchryngenun somecurrent they are known for production of secreted enzymes Aaenonianchrysogenum applications and secondary metabolites, many of which have been trgotpeplides ClaviceNparpurea andshows how exploited by Man. Genetic analysis of secondary meta- increasing bolic pathways over the past 10 years has revealed some Alamethicin Trichodernaviride knowledgeof common themes and offered new appfoaches to the Cyclopeptin Penicilliumcyclopiun fungalgene exploitation of natural products. HC-toxin Cochlioboluscarionun The best known fungal secondary metabolites in structureand Tentoxin Alternariaalternata commercial production are the B-lactam antibiotics metabolicpathways Ferrichrome AEerg illus quad rici nctu s ispaving the wayfor penicillins G and V and cephalosporin C, produced for thedevelopment of over 50 years,with continuous strain and fermentation Echinocandin Aspergillusnidulans improvement programmes. During the past 11 years, Gyclosporin lolypocl a d iu n infl atu n newdrugs, most of the genes encoding the biosynthetic steps have 0estruxin Meta rhizi am aniso plia e been characterized, leading to a detailed understanding of the biochemistry and regulation of these pathways. Enniatin Fusariunoxysporun Nevertheless, the long history of traditional strain Beauvericin Beaweriabassiana improvement by mutagenesis and screening had already put into place many of the changes that an applied peptide synthetases in fungi and bacteria. Although the molecular biologist might have considered after iso- peptide products show a wide range of biological Iating the genes. These include increased gene copy activity, from antibiotics to pathogenicity factors (Thble number and enhanced transcription, and limit the scope 1), the biosynthetic mechanism is conserved,and the for further yield improvement. A more sophisticated genes responsible are instantly recognizable from their approach, the engineering of a hybrid cephalosporin modular organizarion (Fig. 1). A module of some 600 pathway in the penicillin produc er Penicillium cbrysogenum, amino acids is required for each amino acid incorporated was achieved as an alternative route to semi-synthetic into the peptide. Amino acids are recognized, adenyl- cephalosporins, but its commercial advantage has yet to ated, and covalently bound to a module via a 4'- be established. phosphopantetheine cofactor, and less well conserved regions are probably involved in peptide bond '# Non-ribosoma I peptidesynthesis formation. The final peptide is released as a linear or One of the fascinating results of genetic analysis of cyclic structure, depending on the system. B-lactam biosynthesis was the discovery that the first Cyclosporin A, a product of Tolypocladiarn inflatan step, synthesis of the tripeptide 6-(r-cr-aminoadipyl)- (Ftg. 2), was identified by screening in the 1970s as L-cysteinyl-D-valine (ACV) from precursor amino an antifungal and anti-lymphocytic compound, and acids, was catalysed by a multifunctional enzyme exploited as an immunosuppressant, revolutionizing closely related to those responsible for synthesis of the organ transplant surgery. Subsequent studies on its antibiotics gramicidin and tyrocidinby Bacillus species. mode of action as an inhibitor of cyclophilin, a peptidyl \fhile non-ribosomal peptide biosynthesis and its prolyl isomerase involved in calcium signalling evolutionary significance had akeady been described by following antigen recognition by T-cells, opened up Fritz Lipmann'before cloning', gene isolation and DNA avenues for discovery of new immunosuppressants. sequencing have revealedalarge and growingfamily of Interestingly, the compound also has anti-Plasmodium activity. Cyclosporin is an ffi$6,$. Modular arlangement in peptide synthetases undecapeptide, assembled by a synthetaseconsisting ACVsynthetase of a single polypeptide with a molecular mass f AdenytationI N-lri,"tnyutionlThioesterformation of some 1.7 million Da. Some of its 11 modules Cyclos po ri n synth etas e contain inserred domains responsible for N-methyl- ation of the respective

m ffi#$#ffi#ffi*#tu##\nToDAYVOL2T / AUGCf,. amino acids (Fig. 1). This is one of the largest known applications, such as hastening labour or preventing enzyme polypeptides, incorporating 40 catalytic post-partum bleeding, were recognized from the Middle functions. \While these enzymes appear to use a rather Ages, and semi-synthetic derivatives such as dihydro- cumbersome wa-rgof assembling. small peptides. their egrotamine were developed in the 1940s for treatment speciality is their ability to escape the bounds set by of blood pressure and migraine. Ergotamine and semi- ribosomal peptide synthesis. In addition to incorp- synthetic derivatives are structural analogues of orating valine and alanine, cyclosporin synthetase can serotonin and interact with its receptors. Recent studies N-methylate leucine, and incorporate 2-bttenyl-4- on the biochemistry and genetics of ergotamine methyl-t-threonine and cr-aminobutyrate. biosynthesis have shown that lysergic acid, synthesized As medical conditions, including AIDS, resulting in a by the fungus, is converted to ergotamine via a three- compromised immune system, have increasedin recent module peptide synthetasewhich adds alanine, proline years, systemic fungal infections have increased, and phenylalanine (Fig. 3). stimulating a search for better antifungal drugs. The cyclic lipopeptide echinocandin, probably elaborated dbPolyketide synthetases by a peptide synthetase, is produced by a number of Another major family of multifunctional enzymes fungi, including a sub-species of Aspergillus nidulans. responsible for biosynthesis of secondary metabolites Investigated for some time as an antifungal antibiotic, it are the polyketide synthetases, which are relatives of interferes with fungal cell wall assembly by inhibiting fatty acid synthetases. \While these have been studied the synthesis of B-1 ,3 glucan.Improved semi-synthetic most intensively in the prokaryotic actinomycetes, they derivatives produced by Eli Lilly and Merck are currently are also responsible for assembly of potenr carcinogens, undergoing clinical trials asanti-Candidaagents. the aflatoxins of Aspergillus parasiticus, and the chole- Ergot alkaloids produced by the plant pathogen sterol biosynthesis inhibitor lovastatin, produced Clauiceps parpurea during infection of rye were commercially by Aspergillus terreus. Lovastatin is an responsible for outbreaks of St Antony's Fire, described inhibitor of hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG) CoA as long ago as the 9th century. Victims suffered reductase,an early step in cholesterol biosynthesis, and gangfene, convulsions and hallucinations after con- was developed as a treatment for familial hyper- suming contaminated rye bread. However, medical cholesterolaemia. Subsequently, it has been found to be effective at reducing LEFT: cholesterol levels in Sii:, il. [olypocladiuminflatun individuals with dietary COURTFSYBIOIHE[/IE G[iB|i problems. In the case of both polyketide (PKS) and non- ribosomal peptide synthe- tases(NRPS), in fungi and bacteria, these enzymes often form only part of a complex pathway involv- ing many other genes for synthesisof precursors,or modification of products. Indeed, there are now some prokaryotic examples of PKS and NRPS modules co-operating to produce secondary metabolites, exemplified by rapamycin, a new immunosuppfessant, and yersiniabactin, ^fl iron-chelating siderophore and pathogenicity factor in plague. Elucidation of other pathway components is aided by the common observation that the PKS and NRPS genes are

s#€#t$tr#ffi$#ed#ffi wToDAy vol 27lAUc 00 m Webwatch

CurrentOpinion in Microbiology

Freeonline access untilSept | 2OOO, hostedby BioMedNet

Go to bmn.com

Ergotamine LA-Ala-Phe-Pro Downloadcurrent issues and backissues @sc to Jan1 998.

Further reading located within large gene clusters, which include genes for the other steps. Recent examples include the Lipmann,F. (I97I). Iovastatin and ergotamine gene Attempts to map aprocess clusters. L evolutionofpeptide biosynthesis.Science 17 3, @Futuredrug discovery 87t-884. \7hile the examples of useful fungal secondary meta- #seward bolites described above have been discovered via Kleinkauf, H. & F ffi*$lveringtFle Fa'mr*'rFse von Dcihren,H. (L996).A traditional natural product screening methods, the nonribosomalsystem of subsequent genetic analyses suggest alternative SewardLtd manufacturetheStomacher@ range peptide biosynthesis. E urJ approaches based on the highly conserved and easily of labblenders, accessoriesand consumable Biocbern236,335-351. recognizable module, domain and motif structures of Stomacherbags and Simplettes. Seward also Penalva,M.A., Rowlands, the biosynthetic enzymes. Either genomic data mining manufacturesthe Clear-spin@m icrocentrifuge or PCR-based approaches could be used to discover new R.T. & Turner, G. (1998). andCryosecto cryo-microtome. Theoptimization ofpenicillin enzymes and secondary metabolic pathways, providing biosynthesisin {ungi. Trends opportunities for product discovery where natural We bs ite wwwseward,co.uk Biotechnol16,483489. expression is low and the product cannot be easily email info@seward,co.uk Tirdzynski, P. & others detected in conventional screens. For example, the 0999). Evidencefor an ergot Canadian company TerraGen aims to use a gene-based aikaloidgene cluster in approach to screen fungi which are difficult to culture, Clauicepsparparea. Mol Gen such asthose found in lichens. Genet26I, 133-14I . A common feature of commercially exploited fungal Kennedy,J. & others (1999). secondary metabolites is that natural products have been Modulationof polyketide chemically modified to yield semi-synthetic derivatives. Mrc'nbBIOL0GY synthaseactivity by accessory An attractive additional approach would be to redesign proteinsd uringlovastati n the biosynthetic pathways, including the multi- biosynthesis.Science 284, functional enzymes. This approach, using detailed 1368-1312. knowledge of gene structure and pathway biochemistry, Freeonline access untilSept | 2OOO, McDaniel,R. &others and taking advantage of the modular structure of the hostedby BioMedNet (I995). Rationaldesign of enzymes, has already led to promising progress in the aromaticpolyketide natural case of polyketide synthetases of the prokaryotic Go to bmn.com products by recombinant actinomycetes, though successhas been more limited so assemblyofe nzymatic Downloadcurrent issues and back issues far for peptide synthetases,where a better understanding subunits.Nature375, to Jan1 998. ofenzyme structure and function is needed. 549-554. Stachelhaus,T., Schneider, C GeoffreyTurneris Professorof Genetics A. & Marahiel, M.A. (L995). in the Departmentof MolecularBiology and Rationaldesign ofpeptide Biotechnologyatthe Universityof Sheffield, antibioticsby targeted Firth Court,Sheffield S1O 2TN replacementof bacterialand Tel.01 14 222 621 1 Fax01 14 272 8697; fungal domains . Science 259 , ; 69-12. em ai I g.turn e r@sh ef .ac. u k

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IE ffitr$#ffi#ffi $#LffiffiYTODAYVOL2T / AUGIJ]: Brewing yeast selection lainCampbell

&The brewingprocess 107 q) a) Perhaps it is best to start with a brief outline of the c n.S brewing process. The brewing yeast Saccbaromyces -h '-b - a) cereaisiaeis unable to utilize the starch of barley, so the .(') cr) $ grain is first germinated and the resulting malt is :\ -h I extracted with hot water to yield worr conraining s fermentable mono-, di- and trisaccharides and other - RIG HT: f, . yeast nutrients. The o- ''..1 ' rruuruoourPrnnrpqcnfurjPrur tvninglglg wort is boiled with hops or, in the (J z.Q o (top a) - fermentationyeast) showing past, other flavourings, cooled and inoculated with a n thebest time (arrow)for skimming suitable yeast culture. After a period of maturation and 'sOU o theyeast head as inoculum forthe c clarification the product should be apalatable beer. nextfermentation Iherapid fall 3 too CU .q inthe number olyeaslcells in /x L.l_l suspensionaLLhe end oI the period 4&Selection in ancienttimes ofactive fermentation iscaused Brewers have been selecting yeastsfor thousands ofyears. 0246i byflocculation ofthe yeast The first beer fermentations must have been carried out Time (days) by naturally occurring yeasts.That practice still survives mixture. Different strains of yeast vary slightly in their in the production of Belgian lambic beer, for which production of the numerous metabolites that contribute airborne yeasts and bacteria and the resident microflora to beer flavour: at least 400, according to one estimate. It of the wooden wort cooler and fermentation vessels may not have been so important in the distant past, but provide the inoculum. The ancient brewers must have now customers expect a particular brand of beer to have a noticed that some batches of naturally inoculated beer consistent flavour. Ifthe yeast head is collected at the were better than others. They must also have realized same stage of each successivefermentation, the various that collecting the frothy head from the surface ofthe strains which make up the yeast culture will be fermenting beer and adding it to the next batch of wort continued in approximately the same proportion, and gave a much faster fermentation. Therefore, the first therefore it is reasonable to expect consistent flavour (unrecorded) instance of yeast selection was to combine production.Typically, one strain of the yeast population these two observations and use the yeast head from a may accumulate in the head in the early stages of the particularly good fermentation to repear the favourable fermentation, another strain rises later and a third strain results with the next batch. Long before the require* predominates later still. Yeast head must be skimmed off ments could have been expressed in microbiological severaltimes during the fermentarion to prevent it terms, brewers instinctively recognized the character- collapsing back into the beer and creating off-flavours, istics of a good brewing yeast(Table 1). but only part of the recovered yeast is re-used for subsequent fermentations (selectionl). After 48 h of '&Flavour and flocculence fermentation (Fig. 1), using the second (middle) Another type of selection occurs during each ferment- skimming from each successivefermentation gives the ation. Yeast multiplies about 1O-fold during a beer best chance of maintaining a constant balance of strains. fermentation, so only about one-tenth of the yeast Not only do yeasts vary in flavour production, there is growth has to be collected from each fermenration to also avariation in flocculence. Flocculation of yeast is the continue propagation indefi nitely. Traditional brewing spontaneous aggreg tion into clumps which settle yeastsare unlikely to be pure cultures, so there is also the increasingly rapidly out of suspension (seeFig. 1). Too requirement to maintain a constant composition of the early flocculation brings the fermentation ro apremarure end; but non-flocculent yeasrsremain in suspension and llable l. Essential prcperties of brewing yeast have to be removed by expensive centrifugation or filtration. Therefore the correcr degree of flocculence a Consistentpr0ducti0n offlavour andaroma metab0lites developing late in fermentation is essential for econ- b Rapidfermentation omical production of bright beer. c Efficientfermsrtation(maximumyield o{ ethanol minimttm production ofnew yeastbiomass) #' Probably the bestyeast in the world? Lagersand ales d Tolerancetothe inhibitory effects ofwortand beer (osmotic stress ofinitial t01ice{fect offinal alcohol andC02) But, several hundred years earlier, perhaps the most :ugal important instance ofyeast selection in the entire history e Suitableilocculationandsedimentati0n.pr0!srties attheend of fermentation of brewing (andfor'top fermentations', headformation) was achieved in Bavaria. In Britain, enthusiasts become excited about the differences f Highfinal viability (pitching) 'ale'and 'Iager' forinoculating thenext fermertati0n between .In almost every other country of 'beer' 'lager'are g Highgenetic $ability over successirle fermentations the world, the words and synonymous. It isamazingthataspeciality beer of an unknown Bavarian

IE ffi#$ffffi ffi ffi $ffi e-{sffiyroDAyvo L27/ AUG(I_ monastery has become the worldwide standard beer. 'top Table 2, Techniques for genetic manipulation yeast Previously, beer had been fermented by yeasts', of brcwing harvested from the surface of the fermentation to 'bottom a Screeningofexisting crllture andselecti0n propagate the next fermentation. The yeast' of the lager fermentation did not form a true yeast head, b Mutation(usually UV)and selecti0n only a foam which contained too little yeast to seeda c Hybridization(crossing haploid mater cultures, orsphaeroplast fusion)and subsequent fermentation. So settled yeast had to be sele cti on recovered from the bottom of the vessel at the end of d RecombinantDNAtechnology andsslecti0n fermentation. The name lager came from the stofage (/agernin German), really a secondary fermentation at low temperature, for improvement of flavour andCO2 Table 3. Possible genetic improvements to industdal yeasts content. The other technical advantagesofthe prod- uction of lager are irrelevant to a discussion of yeast Group| : conferredby introduction ofthe appropriate gene selection, but the fame of the initially local beer soon a Hydrolysisofstarch and dextrins spread. First, the yeast was stolen by Czech brewers to b Hydrolysisofcereal l3-glucan begin brewing at Pilsen (which, perhaps unjustly, gave its name to that type of beer) and later by one of the c Increasedrateoffermentation Jorgensen famlly of the Carlsberg company. There, the d 0ptimalflocculation pr0perties pioneer yeast taxonomist E. C. Hansen, a contemporary e Acetolactatedecarboxylase of Pasteur, first isolated pure yeast cultures and 'top ' ',', brewi ngve ast recognized the yeast' of the traditional beers of lili,lllffiiilJ,l3|lIS;; ifiit:i liif,?lii ?,.(l,l,lffi #i? Belgium, Britain and Germany as a different species, iTi il S, cereuisiae,from the'bottom yeasts'of the Bavaian Group2: economicallyimportant, but biochemical and genetic basis notyet delined he and Czech beers which, in a shrewd career move, a Reducedrequirement fordissolved oxygen named Saccbaromycescarlsbergensis. Pure cultures of S. car/sbergensiswere then exported, creating the worldwide b loleranceofhigh initial stlgar concentration andhigh final ethanol c0ncentrati0n production of the'pilsener' type of beer. c Abilityt0ferment athigher temperature #' Currenttechniques for yeastselection Much later, S. carlsbergenslswas recognized as virtually wall cooling creates even more head than in rectangular indistinguishable from the wine yeast S, aaarutn. So vessels.The amount of surface froth shown in Fig. 2 is the original Bavarian isolate may have been a chance typical of a non-head-forming yeast. If the traditional contamination from local wine production, and top yeast in the rectangular vessel at the top had been subsequently propagated becauseofits desirable flavopr used in the large fermenter, at least half of its volume characteristics. Now, however, for improvement of a would have been wastefully filled with yeast head. A brewing strain the microbiologist must undertake some non-head-forming mutant of exactly the same flavour deliberate manipulation of the yeast. STith its virtually characteristics as the original yeast is preferable to the use unlimited possibilities.genetic engineering may spring of antifoam. It is true that lager yeastscould have been to mind as the first means of selection. In fact, that would used, but these would have caused an obvious difference be the last choice, not least becauseof the potential in flavour. impact on salesof beer made with such yeast. The tech- Mutagenesis, usually by irradiation, works by inactiv- niques for genetic improvement of yeast are listed in the ating one or more genes.In any genetic manipulation it usual order of preferenc e (Table 2). is essential to preserve the valuable existing properties Any type ofgenetic manipulation involves plating out of the brewing yeast and there is a distinct possibility the recovered hybrids or mutants, followed by trial that a mutation will delete some essential characteristic. small-scale fermentations with cultures from individual Chemical treatment may be inadvisable because of colonies.Therefore, it is sensibleto start by screening the risk of residual mutagen, but UV irradiation has the existing culture to discover ifa strain ofthe desired occasionally resulted in selection ofan improved strain. properties is already present as part of the mixture. An Successful results have been achieved by the chance important instance of this method was the selection of deletion of a suppressor gene; alternatively, back- non-head-forming variants of the existing yeast at the crossing the mutant with the original strain has added time of change from traditional open rectangular tanks the desired improved characteristics. Certainly, there to modern enclosedcylindro-conical fermenters (Fig. 2). are possible improvements which require deliberate In the latter, not only is it technically impossible to use a introduction ofnew genetic characters (Thble 3). skimming system for recovery of yeast, but the vigorous In the life cycle of S. cereuisiae,discovered in T935, circulation by rising CO, and downward movement by the diploid nuclei of vegetative cells become haploid I

on sporulation; mlcro- is important for clarification of beer, but must be dissection of spores and genetically programmed to occur only at the end of germination in the absence fermentation. Floccularion too eady causesclumps of of the opposite mating type yeast cells to settle before fermentation is complete. provide haploid mater Non-flocculent yeastsare also troublesome: they must cultures. This resulted in be removedby centrifugation. S. cereaisiae becoming a Introduction of acetolactatedecarboxylase to brewing useful eukaryotic model yeastreduces production ofdiacetyl, rhe buttery flavour for genetic research. which is generally regardedby professionalbrewers as an Unfortunately, most brew- objectionableoff-flavour, although ar low levelsit does ing yeasts have lost the not seemto annoy the generalpublic. Acetolactateis a ability to form spores. by-product of biosynthesisof isoleucine,leucine and Over centuries, or mill- valine, and ifreleasedfrom yeastcells is spontaneously ennia, of propagation in oxidizedto diacetyl.Ifacetolactate is no longer excrered a rich culture medium, thereis no longer a diacetylproblem. Geneticmanipul- spofes wefe unnecessafy; ation to introduce appropriate MAL, FLO and ILV also, with the inevitable (isoleucine,leucine and valine) genes,therefore, has genetic exchange during beneficialeffects on beerquality. such prolonged intensive S, cereaisiaeis not a rrue facultative anaerobelike cultivation these indus- Escherichiacoli. Akhough capableof fermentation, it is trial yeasts are no longer unable to grow indefinitely without oxygen. For flavour diploid, but of complex reasons,mainly related to diacetyl production, oxygen ploidy which would in- can be provided only in the early sragesof fermentation. hibit sporulation even if all If other brewing qualities are accepta.ble,the best of the necessary genes were brewing yeastshave the lowest requirement fordissolved still present. However, oxygenin the wort at the time ofpitching. sphaeroplast fusion does Osmotic tolerance is important for the modern $$9.*. Comparisonofa not require maters and successfulhybridizations have technique of high-gravity brewing, whereby plant traditionalopen rectangular vessel beenachieved by that method. capacitycan be doubled by brewing double-strength anda moderncylindro-conical fermentationvessel, drawn tothe wort, fermenting to double-strength beerand diluting samescale. Theshaded section & Desirable genetici mprovements to salesstrength asthe final stageofthe process. representshead or froth above the Introduction of the ability ro ferment higher Ability to ferment at higher remperature is probably fermentingbeer; the arrows show oligosaccharides than maltotriose has been achieved not relevant to beer production, but is important for thedirection ofcurrents within the by methods (c) and (d) of Table 2. Since these dextrins distilled alcohol: the higher fermenter. the fermentation temper- constitute at least 2O7o' of a normal wort, there is ature, the lessenergy is required for distillation. The potential for additional alcohol yield from the same ultimate goal would be distillation without any 'light' 'dry' amount of malt, or production of or beers heat energy input, if the fermentarion itself generated after utilization ofthe dextrins. sufficiently high temperarure that application of a Another potentially useful ability is hydrolysis of partial vacuum would suffice. cereal B-glucan which, in excess,causes haze inthe beer All of the improvemenrs listed in Table 3 arc and by its viscosity, filtration problems. Improved technically possible and many have already been filterability and destruction of glucanhaze are valuable incorporatedinto production strainsof yeast.Using the properties of that modified yeast. Only a single new gene others is dependenr on public opinion rather than would be required in each case, for either amylase or brewing technology,so it is impossible to predict how glucanase, but in most countries the same effect can yeastselection will developin the future. be achieved legally and more easily by adding the appropriate enzyme to the beer. For some reason there is C lain Campbell is a Senior Lecturer in the popular revulsion to genetically modified organisms International Centre for Brewing & Distilling, Further rcading but, except among the most dedicated beer enthusiasts, D ep art m ent of B i o Io g i ca I S ci en ce s, H er i ot-Watt Priest, F.G. & Campbell, I. there seems to be little objection to rhe use of enzymic University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS. (editors) ( 1996).Brwing processing aids. Tel.0131451 3454;Fax0131 451 3OO9; Mirobiology,2nd edn.London: The economic benefits of faster fermentation are em aiI Iai n.Cam pbel I @hw.ac.u k Chapman&Hall. obvious and can be achieved by increased content of Panchal,CJ. (editor) MAL genes for maltose transport and hydrolysis, ( 1989). Yeast S tra in Selecti on, although other methods m^y also be effective. NewYork:Dekker. Flocculation, the spontaneous aggregation of yeast cells,

IE ffi E*ffi#ffifrffi E#ffiVIODAYVOL27/AUGOO Yeastgenetics and genomics AlanWheals

Researchinto There are two types of geneticists - those who has been successfully dissecting the complex association 'splice' yeastgenetics attempt to understand the narure of inheri- of proteins required to RN,{ molecuies before hasbrought great tance and those who use genetics as a tool to they leave the nucleus for translation. Hugh Pelham insightsinto understand biological problems. Yeasts are important in (Cambridge) has defined the signals on yeast proteins eukaryoticcell both of these areasof research. The genetics of baker's that target them to the right cellular comparrments. yeast, Saccharomycescereuisiae, only took off in the second Yeasts contain prion proteins, analogous to those found biology,Alan half of the 20th century, but it quickly proved Wheals essential in BSE, and are being analysed by Mick Tuite (Kent). describes for studying fundamental aspectsof the inheritance of This cell biological knowledge is being used by howyeast, mitochondfia and in the analysis of genetic recomb- pharmaceutical companies such as Glaxo-Iflellcome genomrcsrs ination. In the early 1970s, many microbial geneticists andZenecato help discover and understand new drugs. openrngup even turned their attention from prokaryotes to eukaryotes 'model' moreexciting and looked for a suitable system. Sac. cereuisiae ffi Saccha romyces cerevisiae genomics possibilitiesin was already an obvious candidate and was described as The most exciting new developmenr is in the science of microbiology. the Escberichia coli of eukaryote genetics. The genetic genomics. Steve Oliver (formerly UMIST and now system of the fission yeast, Scbizosaccharomycespombe)was Manchester) led a European consorrium that sequenced also developed and it has complementary virtues. The the first eukaryotic chromosome (of Sac. cereuisiae)in genetics of both yeasts are now being supplemented by 1992. This led to the creation of an even bigger multi- genomics, a new branch of sciencedealing with the entire national consortium, under the leadership of the Belgian genome ofan organism. scientist Andr6 Goffeau, which succeededin decoding the entire genome sequence by April 1996 - the first eukaryote to be analysed. Having the sequence is one thing - understanding it is another. \fith reasonable confidence, it is possible to identify putative genes within the genome, so called open reading frames (ORFs). There are approximately 6,200 in Sac. cereuisiae of which the function of one-third could be described from either previous knowledge or because of a high degree of homology ro genes ofknown function. Another third could not be unambiguously assigned but had features that at least gave some clues to their function. The most surprising discovery was that one-third of the genes were of totally unknown function. Since they belong to no known famrly, they are often called ORFan (orphan) genes. There is now a worldwide effort to understand the function of all the genes rn Sac. cereuisiae.The European Functional Analysis Network (EUROFAN) project, headed once again by Steve trig"$ - Mitoticmutant of ffiSign ifica nt fi ndingsi n yeastgenetics Oliver, has systematically knocked out the function of Schizosaccharo nyces p o m b e, Ihe \ilfhat wasdescribed by oneover-enrhusiastic researcher approximately 850 genes one by one. Surprisingly, only celloutlineandchromatin are 'the as awesomepower of yeastgenetics' has, in the one-sixth the shown(lower panels)for wild-type hands of knockouts were lethal to the cell. The (left)and cutl mutantcells(rig ht). of experts,provided manyof the most importanr resuks remainder are being analysed for a very wide range of Upperpanel shows microtubules in in eukaryoticcell biology overthe last 25 years.There is phenotypes varying from recombination efficiency to green spindlepoles inred and a.verylarge community of yeastgeneticists worldwide the structure of the cell wall. Most knockouts do have a chromatininblue but the resultscan be illustrated with examplesof work phenotype but often it does not give clear guidance to the COURTESYDOUGDRUM[/IOND [/IARIECURIE INSTITUTE, OXiED from someof more than4O laboratoriesin the UK. Paul underlying function of the gene - this will require ANDIAIN HAGAN UNI\/IRSITY OF Nurse (ICRF, London) developedthe fundamental further detailed analysis. However, the approach has [/IANCHESIER conceptof a universalmitotic control systemand the proved sufficiently successful to have spawned the Yeast importanceof cyclin-dependentkinases. John Diffley Deletion Project in which a European and N. American (ClareHall) and LeeJohnston (NIMR, London) have consortium will knock out all Sac. cereuisiaegenes for a helpeddefine the regulationof the initiation of DNA similar kind ofanalysis. 'Checkpoints' replication. arerequired ro assesswhether Other approaches, particularly in the USA, are a cell cansafely proceed through the cell cycle and the being used to gain clues to the function of the genes. molecularbasis of this is being determinedby Tony Carr Transcriptome analysis has been designed to look 'all' (Sussex).IainHagan (Manchester)and Robin Allshire simultaneously at the transcripts of the genes. A (Edinburgh) arc analysing genes involved in the synthetic copy of each of the genes is spotted onro a mechanismof mitosis(Fig. 1).Jean Beggs (Edinburgh) slide in a high-density oligonucleotide alray (a DNA

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For ABOVE: labelled RNA taken making them of potential economic importance' chip or mtcro-affay). Fluorescently fiia{.l;. Partof a SaccharonYces Kluyaeromyceslactis can utilize cheese whey, a from the cell under a particular set of conditions is example, cei:evisiaemicr0-arrayThecolour product of the cheese industry, several Pichia hybridized to the DNA dots and the degree of waste andintensity ofthe sPots give can grow on methanol,Yarrowia lipolytica and onthe amount of RNA fluorescence gives a measure of the amount of that RNA species information can utilize hydrocarbons as carbon hybridizedtothe DNA spot (FiS.2).It is thus possible to find out which genesget Candida ma/tosa PATRICK These sources, Debaryoruyces(S chwanniomyces) occidenlalis can COURTFSY PROFESSOR turned on and off under the conditions of study' BROWNSTANFORD UNIVERSITY USA grow on starch, Arxula adeniniuoranscan utilize nitrate, changes in transcription do not reveal what the gene ri bofl avi n' at least focusesthe attention and,P i ch i a gai I I i ermond il can over-synthesize might be doing, but it LOWERLEFI: Developing genetic systems - the ability to do crosses of scientistson potentially important genes' Candidaalbrcans vectors (such as plasmids) to researchersare trying to see the amount and and have appropriate Filamentousformsof this human Some - genes independently of the chromosomes is palhogen anengineeted number of proteins present under different circum- propagate c0ntaining However, genomics can provide greenfli]orescent gene two-dimensional electrophoresis coupled very time-consuming. Protein stancesusing glowbrightly onInfected mLlrine Others are an alternative route around these problems' Direct to mass spectromcrry (proceome analysis)' kidneycells (red) sequencing and making homology comparisons can looking at how every protein interacts inside the cell COURTESYPROFESSOR NEILGOW genes of interest. Furthermore, it is often easy with every other protein - a task that' in principle, identify UNIVERSITYOFABERDEEN gene from one organism in something closeto 18 million pair- to express and analyse a requiresthe study of 'surrogate'genetics. so-called A good example wise combinations. Resources to do these kinds of another, the naturally diploid yeast Candida albicans(Fig' 3)' experiments (Cogeme) have just been established in the is 'big Gow, Al Brown and Duncan Shaw have made UK in Manchester and Aberdeen. This is the era of Neil a major international centre for the genetic and science'in biology - not in the traditional senseof a big Aberdeen analysisof this genetically intractable yeast' piece of apparatus but in the use of robots and automated genomic form part of an international consortium that is machines to physically handle the materials and They the entire genome, due to be available next informatics to handle the analysis. However, it will sequencing The results will undoubtedly provide valuable ultimately require the laboratory expert to perform a year. to devise new strategies to attack this crucial'wet'experiment to confirm the speculation' It is information human pathogen, which is a major killer of a sobering thought that it is proving extremely hard even important to determine the function of a modest number of genes immunocompromised Patients. in a convenient model organism. It will be orders of magnitude more difficult for the human genome project ffiThefuture founded in the 19th century, genetics is although comparisons between human and yeast genes Although a20th century scienceand genomics is its are akeady provi ng i nformative' essentially 21st century successor. Sac. cereuisiaeand Sch'pombe will to WOtherYeasts contjnue to remain model organismsfor some time the full potential of yeasts has not yet been The genomic approach to analyse Sac' cereuisiaeprovided come, but gene resourcesfound in yeast speciescould the impetus for a similar genome sequencing project-for realized.The for improvements in making bread, wine, beer Sch.pombewhich is expected to be completed later fhis be used fuel ethanol, and in many other ways' However, y.u.. Th. second microbial eukaryote to be sequenced and perception of the conjectured hazards of GMOs Further reading will provide important comparative information on public that all microbiologists will need to work thesetwo brewing yeastswith a unicellular life form' ,t,gg.r,, Botstein, D., Chervitz, S.A. to convince consumers of the potential benefits of There are over 800 yeast speciesdescribed in the latest hard & Cherry,J.M.(1997)' we are now able to understand and exploit as Genetics- Yeastas a model taxonomic treatise but few have been studied genetically' organisms organism.Sclence2TT , Those that have possessinteresting metabolic activities never before. 1259-1260.

O Dr Atan WhealsisSeniorLecturer in Genetics, Brown, P.O. & Botstein D. Departmentof Biologyand Biochemistry, (.]999).Exploring the New Universityof Bath,Bath BA2 7AY.He hasbeen \7orld of the genomewith workingon yeast genefics atthe Universityof Bath DNA microarcays.Nature for nearly25 yearsand has alsodone researchin Genetics2I,33-37 . Germanyand Brazil.He is currentlyscreening the \(heals, A.E.,Rose, A.H. Saccharomycescerevisiae genome for genes & Harrison, J .5. (1995). Yeast affectin g statio n a ry p h ase,an aly si n g pectin ase Ge net ics. London: Academic genesin severalyeasfsand designingspecies- Press. specific PCRProbes' YeastVirtual Library website: Tel.01 225 323583;Fax 01 225 826779; http://genome-www'stan em ai I : [email protected]. uk ford. edu/SaccharomYces/ Vl-yeast.html

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Theclassification A knowledge of fungal systematicsis funda- beforethe'micro-organism' offungi is turning mental to searchesfor useful secondarymeta- forms its visible fructifi- outtobe more bolites,antibiotics and other compoundsfor cation:there are similarities complexthan was industry, and for understanding lifestyles, pathogenic in lifescylebetween fungi oncethought. development, endophytic growth and exploitation of andprokaryotes. RoyWatling fungi for biocontrol. Now at last fungal raxonomy It now appearsthat the has a more scientific basis, with molecular techniques fungi are a mixrure of considersthe using nuclear 18S and 25S, and mitochondrial 125 disparategroups eachwith inter-relationshipsrDNA sequencesproducing some startling revelations. its own history. Based off ungi and the Although species concepts have been consolidated, and on small-subunit rDNA changingviews of some relationships not previously appreciated revealed, sequences,the majority of mycologistsinthe major areas of our classical classification have been fungi, including our most lightof rDNA thrown into turmoil. familiar forms, can be distributed on four closely related sequencingdata, Fungi separated from the main line of organisms in branches (phyla) of the evolutionary tree, with the the early Phanerozoic;well over 100 million yearsago, basidiomycetes and the ascomycetesclosest to each other according to workers such as Pirozynski. They appear to (seeFig. 1). Other organisms studied in the past under have branched off from the plants, together with the the umbrella term fungi can now be located in at least animals, at an early stage in evolution. This of course four other isolated groups, including three groups of 'srramenopilids'. contradicts our traditional teaching. Mycology has been slime moulds and one termed The taught, and still is, in university plant science depart- latter, a kingdom in its own right, brings together the ments and fungi are studied in botanic gardens, or in brown algae, diatoms and moulds related to the causal microbiology departments (although their inclusion is a organism ofpotato blight, Pbytopbtbora infestans. Thus rare event these days and mycology has rather tended to the fungi can now be located in eight phyla, with some of fall between the two stools). The relationship to micro- the groups closer to animals than they are ro orher fungi. biology is an uneasy one - perhaps because the larger Nevertheless, it is still useful to maintain the old classical fungi fit incongruously in the contexr of microscopic term fungi for a group of organisms which have similar organisms - and the fungi are not related to the prokary- modes oflife and biological strategies. BELOW: otes as put forward in the classical texts. But the edible The fossil record of fungi is rather sparse, although F*9"$. Phylogenetictree,based mushrooms of the supermarkets spend much of their isolated spores attributable to this group of organisms onsmall-subunit rDNAsequence time hidden from view in the soil or woody subsrrates have been found at a number of geological stages. dataand incorporating several breaking down complex compounds, and the humble eukaryotictaxa,showing the Fossils of larger fungi are particularly we, but some polyphylyoforganisms known penny l:un(Boletus edulis), so familiar to those who buy good examples have been located recenrly in ambers. asthe fungi dried mushroom soup, undertakes avery sophisticated Experimentalists such as Berbee and Taylor have DATAFRO[/l VARIOUS SOURCES root association with trees called sheathing mycorrhiza, suggested from 18S rDNA sequencecomparisons that the origin of the basidiomycetous fungi was 400-300 million years ago and that mushroom ancestors appeared approximately 65 million yearc ago, as shown by the occurrence of clamp-connected hyphae in coal measures (Carboniferous). An early mushroom referable to the modern genus Mycena has been dated at between 15-20 million years and a Marasmius at 90-94 million years: both pre-date the separation of the ancient land mass Gondwanaland. These results suggest a rather long history perhaps as far back as the Creraceous, the very period in which our now famlhar flowering plants underwent rapid evolution. Identification of the larger fungi, especially the mushrooms, toadsrools and bracket fungi, has been fraught with difficulties over the years, differences between species being small and often based on subtleties in texrure, taste and the like - all very subjective! Although these characrers are underpinned by differences in secondary metabolites, anaromy and developmental features, identification of larger fungi has caused disbeliefand frustration to those in neighbouring disciplines. Yet surprisingly, each new lrfl ffi#*#ffi#ffi*s$"#ffiKroDAyvoL27 / AUcCf various elements of the evolutionary pathway which have TOPLEFT: not become apparent from studying present-day fungi. Dictyo phora(petticoat stinkhorn) But intriguingly, results keep emerging in each of the COURTESYRWAILINS major groupings which suggesr new relationships and LOWERLEFT: challenge others. These resulrs often appear in the most Amushroom market innorthertt unexpected places, generaor even larger groupings ofso- Italy. called fungi, and the value of features by which we COURIESYWTAIT, EDINBURGN identified a species in the field may have been almost entirely lost. Although for many mycologists, including 'Gasteromycetes', the present author, the single taxon which brought all these forms together in classification, was artificial and needed drastic sorring, in no way could it have been imagined just how fabricated it was! True, some indication had already been given by developmental and micro-morphological studies which linked, for instance, the boletes with the false truffles. Bolete-like species, which have an intermediate morphology, had been placed in the genus Gasterobo/etus and a morphological seriesproposed, but even rhis genus has been shown, by molecular srudies, to be based on convergent evolution: the individual species should be assigned to a range of different, existing genera, as suggested also from morphological analysis. Recently, workers at Berkeley, California, using parallel methods have been able to date the supposed separation ofone such gastroboletoid fungus from its proposed parenr gfoup. There are some parallel examples in the secotioid fungi or tobacco pouches, e.g. \X/eraroa,which have been studied in the same way asGasterobo/etusandwith similar results, various species being linked to a range of different mushroom families and genera. But these are not the core gasteromyceres. r$That of the birds nest fungi, the earth srars, the puffballs etc.? The brown- spored toadstool Paxillus has been associated by molecular techniques with the first group, but how different they are, one a mushroom and the orher a small cup-like receptacle,the nesr, conraining capsules containing spores. \fhere is morphology now? Equally, the earth star, Geastrum, and cannon ball fungus, experimental technique has provided more supporr Spbaerobolus,are associatedby molecular techniques with for the majority of species recognized on classical the fairy club fungus, Ramaria, and are separated from grounds. The recent application of molecular techniques the puffballs despite the incredible resemblance, apart has not discredited the use offield charactersin species from the outer ray-like arms from which the common 'earth delimitation, but has thrown up relationships between name star' derives. Puffballs (Lycoperdon and specieswhich few would have imagined only 10 years relatives) find themselves neatly parked amongsr rhe ago. Interestingly, so-called aberrant groupings within parasol (Macrolepiota) and true mushrooms (Agaricus). 'Gasterornycetes' the larger fungi, especially those in the Using sequencing data the false truffle , Melanogaster,is or stomach fungi (such as the false truffles, puffballs and now firmly within the boletes: this result is of great stinkhorns) have been brought into the fold. But interest for over the years no rrue relationships have been relationships between what were ar one time considered proposed for this genus. This contrasts with some other famlliar and biologically sturdy groupings have been false truffles which have each been associated with a destroyed. So the species concept has been fairly well family or genus of mushrooms based on anatomical supported but our understanding of relationships within similarities and which led to the term sequesrrate being the macromycetes needs to go back to the drawing board. coined to delimit a morphotype and nor a raxonomic \7ith such a long history there are undoubtedly entity. Calsototna,a group of stalked puffballs with a

ffi##ffi##,$#a"#ffiKTODAY VOL27IAUG 00 lE stem of interwoven threads, gelati nized rissues and a suture-like apical hole from which the spores escapewas also of unknown affinity. Recent work by Hughey and colleagues has shown, by using 125, 1BS and 25S rDNA analysis, that this genus can be also confidently inserted into the framework of the boletes. Horrors! The value of molecular methods is therefore demonstrated for not only does it throw up provocative data, but also it points to relation- ships in the absence of classical information. The bizarre-shaped and often evil-smelling stinkhorns (Phallus and its allies) now nescleamongst the agarics but at the moment the present author is at a loss to explain how the padi straw mushroom (Voluari e/ I a) sir.s with the split-gills (Schizo- phy/lum), so frequently TOPRIGHT: used in genetic experi- ( PIe u r o tu s oslrealusoyste r ments, and the beefsteak mushroom) fungus (Fistulina). COURTESYRWATTING Combining morpho- LOWERRIGHT: logical information and 0eastrunrulescens (earth star) molecular rechniques COURIESYRWATLING allows objectives to be ser, testing proposed positions and relationships, e.g. the to most speciespresently placed in the genus. presence of the phenolic hydroxy pigment pistillarin The reassessmenrof relationships is happening in the found in certain club fungi should now be investigated three other phyla of fung i, uiz. Ascomycota, Zy gomycota in their newly proposed relatives. Such work would and Chytridiomycota, with equally interesting results parallel the joint studies by Gill in Melbourne and the and from which I could have taken examples. The sceneis author who showed the use of anthraquinone production set for an exciting srarr ro the new millennium, the first and pathways in helping to place the devil's club fungus task being to consolidate these new studies and bring (Pisolithus) in the boletes. Molecular suppoft is required them into the main srrucrure ofclassification. for the association of Gyrophragntiam, a puffball-like fungus with Agaricus, demonstrated by the complex O ProfessorRoyWatling MBE FRSEwas Schaeffer'stest, which uses the reacrion of aniline and formerlyHead of Mycology and Plant Pathology nitric acid in the presenceof the fungus tissues;also for at the RoyalBotanic GardensEdinburgh before the associat ion of Torrendia, another puffball-like fungus, retiring in 1 998. He is a former President of the with Amanita, a gentts which includes the death cap B ritis h Myco Iog i cal S ociety. (A. phal/oidu), each pair only being previously linked emai I caled o n i an my c@co m p use rve. co m through developmental similarities. Equally, on macro- morphology alone, Podaxis has been linked to the lawyer's wig, a fungus traditionally placed in Coprinus although in molecular rerms even it is not closely related

lm Fungiandskin H.Ruth Ashbee & E.Glyn V. Evans

Diseasesof the Fungi arefound on virtually all body surfaces skin,hair, nails and but mainly on the skin and scalp.They are mucousmembranes thereeither ascommensals, transient flora or as arethe most the cause of disease. The commensal organisms are whereas the pathogens are a mixture of commonof funoal usually yeasts, " moulds and yeasts. infections,with treatmentcosting ffiFungiand healthyskin millionsof pounds The only fungi to live permanentlyon the skin as eachyear in the UK. commensals belong to the yeast genus Malassezia. Malassezia speciesare dimorphic and most of the species in the genus have an absolute requirement for lipid to enable them to grow. Their lipophilic nature is responsible for defining the areas on the body where Malassezia occurs - namely those areasrich in sebaceous glands, such as the face, scalp, chest and back. The genus has recently been re-organized on the basis of molecular taxonomic studies and now includes six lipophilic species: M. furfur, M. synpodialis, M. globosa,M. obtusa, M, restricta and M. sloffiae. There is also a seventh which affects the keratin member of the genus, M. pacbydermatis, that does not in hair, nails and stratum require lipid for growth and is usually not found on corneum (top layer) ofthe human skin, but is often found associatedwith animals. skin. About 20 speciesof BELOW: Population densities of Malasseziavary from person to dermatophyte fungi from $$9.$ " Bodyringworm caused by person, as well as from site to site. However, on the chest the genera Tricbophyton, Iri c h o p h yto n ve r ru c o s u n (callle ringworm). and back as many as 104 organisms cm-2 have been Microsporum and Ep iderno- COURTESYEGVEVANS recorded, whilst on the hands and feet there may be asfew p bytonare responsible. Most as <4 organisms cm-2. The age at which colonization infections are caused by a TOPRIOHT: occurs is controversial, with some workers reporting it in single species, Trichopby t on F*96.ffi,, Kerion lesion on the scalp children of only a few weeks of age and others finding no rubrum. Ringworms also dueIo M icrospor um canis. colonization untii puberty. \Vhat is known is that occur in animals and these COURIESYEGVEVANS maximal population densities occur in adults between may spread to humans; late teens and eady middle age, after which the number transfer is commonest with LOWERRIOHT: of organisms decreasesas pqople get older. Microsporum canis, the cause flrg.ffi. Nail infection dueto Candida is found on the skin of some individuals. but of ringworm in cats and Trichophytonrubrum. it is not a true commensal and carciage is usually dogs. COURIESYDRDAI ROBERTS SOUIHERNGENERAL HOSPITI -, transient. The speciesfound includeCandida albicansand Ringworm lesions vary considerably in appearance, GLASGOW Candida parapsilosis. Candida may also be present on the according to the site ofthe infection and the speciesof mucous membranes of the mouth and vagina but here fungus involved. Sometimes there is only dry scaling or it does occur as a commensal. The percentage of hyperkeratosis, but more commonly there is irritation, people colonized and the level of colonization varies inflammation, swelling and vesicles. More inflammatory considerably between different groups in the population lesions with weeping vesicles,pustules and ulceration are but around LO-20 7o of heakhy individuals are thought usually caused by animal ringworm. The spreading, to carry commensal Candida. ring-like lesions with a raised, inflammatory border Both Malassezia and Candida arc able to cause disease from which the disease name derives are seen on the under certain circumstances. body, face and scalp (Fig. 1). In infections of the scalp there is scaling and hair loss and sometimes a severe WFungiandskin disease inflammatory response resulting in a raised boggy lesion Diseasesof the skin. hair. nail and mucous membranes called a kerion (Fig. 2) - this needs to be diagnosed and are the most common of all fungal infections and they treated promptly otherwise there may be permanent have a worldwide distribution. hair loss. In nail infection, the nail becomes discoloured, thickened, raised and crumbly (Fig. 3). Ringworm: Most of these infections are caused by a Ringworm is the only truly contagious fungal group of keratinophilic moulds known collectively as infection and spreads through direct or indirect contact dermatophytes. They cause a complex of diseases, with an infected individual or animal. The infective collectively known as ringworm (clinical name Tinea), particle is usually a fragment of keratin containing

IEE ffi $ffiffi#ffi$#tu#ffiY ToDAYVOL2T / AUGCr These now comprise about 7 5 % of all ringworm TOPLEFT: infections diagnosed in temperare zones. It is estimated #*9.S. Ringwormofthe toe clefts(Athlete that around 10-1 t % of the general population in the sfoot) due to lrichophytonrubrum, UK has foot ringworm and 5 % nail disease.Currently, COURTESYDRDAI ROBERTS nothing is done to control the spread ofthese infections SOUTHERNGENERAL HOSPITAL despite the fact that vast sums are spent treating them. GLASGOW The disinfectant foot-bath in swimming pools is worse than uselessfor controlling foot ringworm and is likely IVIIDDLE LTFI: Stg. $. Candidaalbicans to contain a soup of skin scales,many of which contain infectionofhand (interdlgital fungus - jump over it! space) Although dermatophyres are essentially disease- COURTESYEGVEVANS causing organisms, some believe in a carrier sratus. Dermatophyres can be isolated, for example, from the LOWERLEFT: #rfg. feet or scalp without there being any obvious sign of nailfold (paronychia) infection. Others dispute this and say that if you look COURTESYEG\/EVANS hard enough you will find lesions.

Yeast infections: Infections due to Candida and Malassezia are generally endogenous in origin. Candida can causeinfections ar many sites on the body, commonly the folds, such as the armpits or beneath the breasts, where there is occlusion and increased moisture. The Iesions appear as well demarcated, inflamed areas that may itch. The nappy arca in babies, the groin and the skin between fingers (Fig. 5) and toes may also be affected. Candida may also causeparonychia - inflammation around the cuticle ofthe nail, which may lead to swelling and production of pus (Fig. 6). It is common in kitchen workers and other people who frequently have their hands in water. Candida infection of the mourh and vagina is generally known as thrush because of the presence of white plaques of yeast on the surface of the mucous membrane (Fig. 7). Yaginal candidosis is very common and most women develop an infection at some point, frequently during pregnancy, and some suffer from recurfenr infections. Oral infections are seen mainly in babies and the elderly. A number of predisposing factors are recognized for Candida infection, especially antibiotic therapy and immuno- suppression, either drug- or disease-induced. For example, intractable chronic oropharyngeal candidosis is common in AIDS patients (< 100 %) and frequently viable fungus. Indirect transfer may occur via the there is associatedoesophageal infection. The appearance floors of swimming pools and showers or on brushes, of this infection often indicares the transition from combs, towels and animal grooming implements. In HlV-positive to full-blown AIDS. industrialized countries, ringworm of the scalp, which Malassezia is able to cause several skin conditions, occurs almost exclusively in children before puberty, including pityriasis versicolor, seborrhoeic dermatitis accounts for only a small proportion of infection and is and folliculitis. It has also been known ro cause mostly caused by dermatophytes of animal origin, systemic infection, including catheter related fungaemia although scalp infections due to the human species, in suitably predisposed individuals, such as newborn Tricbophyton tznsurans, are on the increase in Europe. infants fed intravenously with high lipid feeds. Foot ringworm (athiete'sfoot; Fig.4),with its associated Pityriasis versicolor takes the form of scaly hypo- nail and groin infections is the commonest fungal or hyper-pigmented lesions (FiS. 8) with minimal disease and the increased use and availability of inflammation or itching. It occurs on the upper rrunk, communal bathing facilities have brought this about. but may spread to include upper arms,legs and buttocks

ffi $#ffi#ffi x#tuffi ffiy ToDAyv oL27 / AUc00IE ittaconazole and flucon- azole, although terbi nafi ne is the mosr porenr anti- dermatophyte drug. Candida infections and pityriasis versicolor respond well to the application of topical agents, although oral fluconazole and itra- conazole ar e altetnatives for severe or extensive cases. \flith pityriasis versicolor relapse is a major problem (reaching 60 % within I y ear). Topical antifungals, in extensive cases.In pity- along with topical steroids, nzy also be used for riasislesions, both the yeast treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis. and mycelial forms of Ma/assezia are present and ffiFuture prospects diagnosis is usually made Current research into superficial fungal infections is on the basis of clinical focussing, for example, on molecular typing of dermato- presentation and the char- phyte strains to answer questions on epidemiology acteristic appeafance of and pathogenesis; questions such as whether or nor 'spaghetti and meat-balls' particular strains of dermatophyte speciesare more likely on microscopical exam- to cause nail (as opposed to skin) disease than others. ination oFskin scrapings. There is an unaddressed need to develop measures ro Among the predisposing control foot and nail infections in communal bathing factors for pityriasis, high places. This would help reduce the expenditure on the TOP&LOWER LEFT: temperature and humidity appear to be the most tfeatment of these infections, especially as currently important. In hot climates it is often the most common in the UK this costscirca S 45.5 million. mouthshowing white yeast plaques fungal irrfection seen. Current treatments for superficial mycoses are (top)and severe mouth infection in Seborrhoeic dermatiris presents as generally anAIDS patient (bottom). scaly lesions on satisfactory, although there is scope for COURTESYEGVEVANS the face, upper trunk and scalp which itch and are improvement, particularly in nail diseasewhere about inflamed. Around l-3 % of the normal population are 20 % of patienrs fail treatment. A number of new UPPERRIGHT: affected, but in HlV-positive patients the prevalence antifungal agents, mainly azolesand cell wall inhibitors, Frg.Fi. Pityriasis versicolor may be as high as B0 %. Predisposing factors are are likely to become available over rhe nexr 1-3 years. ofskin with hyper pigmentation not well characteized, but stress may be important. Initially, it is probable rhat they will be used ro rrear COURIESYEGVEVANS The condition is chronic and relapses are frequent. systemic fungal infections but may be used later for Diagnosis is largely based on clinical presentation. superficial mycoses. Malassezia folliculitis consists of itchy acne-like spots and pustules on the trunk and upper arms. C Dr H. Ruth Ashbee/s a Clinical Scientistand Antibiotic administration is the main predisposing H on orary Lectu re r, My coI o g y Refe re n ce C entre, factor, particularly in the immunocompromised, but Divisionof Microbiology,University of Leedsand overgrowth of Ma/assezia may be secondary to occlusion Generallnfirmary, Leeds, LS2 ?JT. ofthe follicles. Tel.01 13233 5598;Fax 01 13 2335640; em ai I mi ch ra@l eed s. ac. u k Diagnosis: Ringworm and Candida infections may be O E. Glyn V.Evans rs Professor of Medical reliably diagnosed in the laboratory by microscopical Mycologyand Director,Mycology Reference examination and culture of skin. hair. nail or material Centre, Division of Microbiology,University of Itromm ucous membranes. Leedsand Generallnfirmary, Leeds, LS2 gJT Tel.01 13 2335600; Fax01 13 2335587; Treatment: Ringworm generally responds well to em ai I mi ceg ve @l eed s. ac. u k topical creams, etc., except for nail and scalp infections, which require oral therapy. Topical agenrs include a number of azoles and terbinafine and amorolfine. Oral therapies include terbinafine and the triazoles

IE eryHffi4,ry#ffi ffi $,ffi*ffitr"-TODAyVO L27 / AUGCn Biofi lfirs: united they stand, dividedtheyhll PeterG i lbert & Hi I ary Lappi n-Scott

level of transcription. Cross-signalling between clifferent species and t genera allows complex, I mulri -functionalconsortia to become established. It is often only one of these properties, resistance, corrosion, degradation or biofouling potential, that renders them worthy of study by the industrial or medical microbiologist, and for consideration as therapeutic rargets by medicinal chemisrs. In the Exeter symposium we seekto exposethe common- ality ofprocesswhich links chese disparate pracrical problems. 'biofilm' A previewof The introduction of the term inro The formation and maintenance of a biofilm is a thetopics to be generalmicrobiology- is relatively recent but dynamic processinvolving a complex interaction of discussedinthe the conceptsthat it embracesare nor new.This physical and biological processes.Irreversible attach- SGM Main umbrella term encapsulates the notion fhat bacteria, ment ofplanktonic cells to a surfaceis indicared by a loss Symposium yeasts,moulds, and indeed some micro -fan\tra,co-existin of Brownian motion and within a few minutes a number Community nature asspatially organized communiries and rhat such of transcription events are initiated. These particularly Structureand communities can survive and exploit circumsrances concern not only the up-regulation of exopolymer Co-operationin beyond their capabilities as individual microbes. biosynthesis and the deposition of the glycocalyx, but Biofilms therefore epitomize the collecrive strength of also the orchestration of many other physiological and Biofiimsatthe the individual within a community structure and it is biosynthetic events. In narure micro-organisms rarely Universityof Exeter,only when such interactions are studied that we can fully encounteranuncolonized surface, yer much can be learnt 12-13September understand the way that microbes impinge upon all about the cransirion from a planktonic to sessilemode of 2000, aspectsof life. growth through studies where cleaned, sterile surfaces The keystone of biofil-.study has been the general are exposed to growing suspensions of bacteria. This recognition that even single speciesof bacteria, when is of immediate practical importance to the colonization attached to surfacesand interfaces, expressphenotypes of an implanted medical device or prosthesis, setting that are not seenin liquid culrure. For various genera the framework through which new marerials may be whole cassettesofgenes are repressedor de-repressed designed to delay or prevenr biofilm formarion. The under the apparent control of touch rrc€ptofs. 'sessile Particularly, the phenotype' more often displays a reduced susceptibility towards various antibacterial Diagrammaticrepresentation of tf,€atffifrldS,:afid a mofe aggressive pathogenesis or morphologicaldata from dozens of comosion potential than does the free-living planktonic natrraland rn /ltro biofilms, inthe cell. Part of the explanation for the unique properties of x-z-axis,showino the microcolonies andwater channels thatcomprise biofilm communities comes from the localized high cell thesecomplex andhighly densiciesthat they facilitate rhrough the synthesisofan slructuradcomnttl ttitiss, The extensiveextracellular polymeric marrix. Such polymers sessilebiofilm grow cellsactually not only cement the bacterial cells to the surface bur inmatrix-enclosed microcolonies. ofvarious shapes and these also maintain a spatial arrangemenr of the different microcoloniesareoften deformed community memLiers and are capable of entrapping byhigh shear forces toproduce the many extracellular products and enzymes. Under such streamersseento project into the circumstances populations of cells become quorate and bulkfluid through the mediation and accumulation of cell-cell SOURTESYDRJ W COSTERTON |v|ONTANASTATEU N IVERSITY signals, such as the N-acyl-homoserine lacronesin rhe USA/ARTWORKPEGDIRCKX caseof Gram-negative bacteria, alter phenorypes at the

IE WDAYVOL2T/AUGOO precise natufe of the BACKGRDUND: colonizing speciesancl its Amixed community biofilm composedofbacteria andftlngi relationship with other COt]RTESYllITARY TAPPIl\l"SCOTT AND I bacteria determines the SARAROBIRTS nature of the biofilm formed. In clental plaque LiFT: such inter-relationships Confocalmicrograph ofa biofilm have been wrll r'lraracrer- communitywrthseven different specieslhe biofilm rnras fixed and ized but similar processes embeddedanddifferentially are involved rvherever labelledprobBs targeting surfaces are exposed to Pse u d omo nas puti d a R1(red), environmenral micro- AcinetobacterspCE(green) and all othereubacteria (blue) rlrere added organisms. COURIESYPROFFSSOR S,[iOLIN Tlre main symlrosittm TECHNICALI]NIVERSITY tlFDTt.]MARK will be complementedLry a second sessionentitled BTLOW Meclical lnQlications of S0MSynposiun Volune 59 Bi',fi/tu.r,organized by r hc Ceils & Cell Surfacesand Microbial Infection Groups, of microbiology. S7e hope that those of you attending examining aspectsof biofilm physiology in the context who have not already treen bitten by the biofiim bug of heaith ancl clisease.There are also two evening will be drawn to re-examine researchin your areain the workshops, one foctrsingon young researchersworking contexr oFbacterialartachmenr and organizationinco in the arcas of Biofihn Forrnation and Control ancl a second communitics. on kaching the Topicaf Bioftlm:. The latte r will focus on Further details and a booking form appear in the rhreefundamental quesrions: enclosed programme booklet for the meeting. The r$(/hatelements of the biofilm story should be included symposium will be published asa book in the redesigncd in the undergradr-ratecurricurium ? SGM Sympasiun sefies (vol. \fhat properties of biofilm microbiology can be )9). A review of the book introduced into unclergraduate practicals given and an order form will the equipment constraints of the undergraduate appear in a future issue of laboraroryi Mirroltiulogy Today. \7hat strategiesof dissemination are most likely to be successfulin getting information zrboutbiofilms (DPeter Gilbert, to curriculum developers,textbook aurthors,planners Un ive rsityof Manch e ster of eclucationalsymposia anclteachers/ ) Hi|aryLappin-Scott, S7e believe that the combined programme offers a Universityof Exeter superb opportunity for the novice and experienced 'biofiimologist' alike to gain a rounded insight into the impact that biofilms have on our lives and on the study

LEFT: RepresentatrveCSL[/images ofa Stre pla c o c c u s go r d o n i i (green) and Actino ny c e s nae sl u n d i i (red)bioliln. Leftpanel: coadhssron ofa single qtrpntrnnnnal('npntrp\ uLruPruuuuuur colluur' \uuriu u/ uhOUndtO acltlmp ofactinomyces and c0adhesi0nofcharps ofstreptococci totwo drfferent lobes of the clump of qniinnmvnoc /rrnnor nontro\ uur ilu ,,luuu \uyPUr uu ,L,u/! Di"h+ .".^1. r\tgiltpdrrtrt, LUdurrtrJ""".1h^"'^" uil u, "l strepl0c0ccialldactrn0myces (upper cetttre)andbr dgirg ofadherent stfeptococcibya smallclump of actrnoryces(lower centre). CIURTESYDRP KOLENfiRA|}DER |\1IH BFTHFSDAIVDUSA

TODAYVOL2T/AUGNWI It's a jungle outthere - L.A.in the 2lstcentury SGM attheA8M lo0th GeneralMeeting AidanParte &Janet Hurst

S7e arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday after- Liz Sockett, SGM noon: Janet Hurst, fresh from a week in Las Education Officer, made Vegas, and Aidan Parte, stale from a week in some useful contacts in the Reading. The weather in the home of Hollywood, food ASM Division \W (their fads, iced tea and Ice-T was an unseasonally warm 90 F, Education Group) and but over 100 F in the Valleys. Thank goodness for participated in a school- air conditioning! Our hotel was in Downtown L.A., not teachers' training day too far from the Conference Center. on microbiology,where SOtl After a sleepless night (for a jet-lagged Aidan, she distributed packs of anyway), we went to the massive new L.A. Conference SGM resources.She also crHEafr Center in Downtown, to set up our stand in the presented a postef on our Publishers' Park section of the trade exhibition. educational activities for Unlike last year, we decided to hire a stand from the younger children which ASM - this saves the aggravation of carting the famous was very well received. All blue wheelie-bin thousands of miles around the world. ofthe free handouts on the It was a great relief, though, that the seven boxes poster disappeared in a of journals , Microbio/ogy Today, educational material, flash. Compared with most etc., had arrived safely at our allotted booth. \)Vhat of the other educational most conference-goefs don't see is all the work material at the event, SGM behind the scenes.It is truly amazingl Fork-lifr trucks products are of high zooming around, no carpets, cables and packing crates qualiry and very inno- everywhere. Then when we came back in the morning, vative. The positive reac- it was all transformed into a professional and smarr- tion of delegates was mosr looki ng tradeexhibition. welcome. The conference opened on Monday 22 May and It was not all work, work, was immediately extremely busy, with nearly 8,000 work at the conference. As scientific delegates registered for the 100th ASM you can see, we managed Annual Meeting. The trade exhibition was in a hall to get into the non-urban that resembled an aircraft hangar and was arcanged jungle, where we met a friendly lioness who even allowed so that delegates had to go through it to get to the us to have our picture taken with her! \When ir all timed poster sessions.This resulted in a consranr flow ended on the STednesday, mosr of our material had of people, with plenty of interest in the SGM's services, been taken and we only brought back our display particularly membership (it is still staggering the copies of the Symposium volumes, and of course number of people who think SGM is the British arm pens, chocolates and post-it pads that we had swiped of the ASMI), Microbiology'Todoy,posrers,stickers and from other stands! journals. It was surprising that there was not much Sfe ate every night in the hotel. The reason interest in the online side of the journals operation, we didn't go out is that Downrown L.A. is not very which we had available J.$f:.; t$ on a lap-top, probably because the novelty has [-si' worn off and it is now t, rt expected of us. This just shows how quickly things are moving in electronic publishing. It was also good to get plenty of positive feedback on our Symposium volumes. Many SGM members dropped by the stand - it was nice to see their friendly faces - and we were grateful to those who stopped to help for a while, enabling us to have a look round the 800 or so other'booths'.

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nice! It certainly wasn't like the movies, except perhaps 'n' Boyz tbe Hood, and we heard every night on the TV about the latest tit-for-tat drive-by shooting not far from where we wefe staying. So that our dreams \!i weren't completely shattered, in the free time before : ':":] ':;'. ' flying home we went on two coach trips. At Universal ' ..! Studios we did a tour of the backlot - Bates Motel wiil d ;X...'-*-J give you a real welcome - and other special effects shows and rides including Backdraft, E.T. and Back iw. to the Future. \7e also managed a whistle-stop FARLFFT: 4 tour of Venice Beach, Theskyline ofDowntown L.A rf Beverley Hills and stars' BOTTOM: homes in Bel Air, and UniversalStudios backlot F|ollywood (Warner Brothers inthe background) the Chinese Theater where CENJRE(UPPER): we made our mark in the Thenew LA ConferenceCenterDowntown L.A pavement! CENTRE(LOWER): All in all, it was a very TheSGM Stand inthe L.A Conference Center From left to right: successful conference and AidanParte ([/lanaging Fditor IJSEM) Erko Stackebrandt (Editor IJSEM), well worth the effort for JanetHurst (SG[/l Deputy Executive Secretary). raising the SGM's profile ABOVE(UPPER): in the States. JanetHurst and Aidan Parte with a friendly lioness inthe non-urban junglel -Eq#fl'*d COURTESYAPPLIEDGRAPHICS TECHNOTOGIES .si* 4ffi *: O Aidan Parte, ABOVE(LOWER): ManagingEditor,lJSEM A'thankyou from Hollywood legend James Stewart outside the Chinese O JanetHurst, SGM Theaterl DeputyExecutive ALtPHOTOS AIDANPARTE EXCEPT WHERE INDICAIED Secretary

ft$$#Fe#ffifr43$-#ffiV TODAY VOL27 / AUG00 IM ffimWffiqwmsmrumffiffi ffiwmffi#mry SGMPrize Professor HonoraryMembers Lestures SirDavidA. O Councilhas conferred Honorary Membership on two distinguishedmicrobiologists inrecognition oftheir and Hopwood outstandingcontributions over an extended period: Awards ffi#ffirs'a+$"$ffitreg$ Professor John Guest (Sheffield) for hiswork on bacteri al phys i ology, an d Professor Sir f ohn Pattison Km&tuffiwwpw ffig'*g:w$#s*:*"g"l (London),Director of Researchand Development at the DavidHopwood was born in DepartmentofHealth for hiswork in medical microbiology, ffiffimw&wm-ffiffi9#e& Staffordshirein 1933. After Special Historical Perspectives Leeture ffiffiwwwrumwffiwffi grammarschool ed ucation inHampshire O Councilagreed to the suggestion that an occasional ffi*wqgffiwww andCheshire, hetook a degree lectureon the historyof microbiologyshould be given at a inBotany The2000 KathleenBarton- atCambridge, followed by a Societymeeting, The firsttalk willtake place at Exeterin WrightMemorial Lecture September. PhDin genetics with Harold hasbeen awarded to Dr Whitehouse,He was an Prcmega Prize Gompetition Moira E, Bruce, of the assistantlecturer in Botany MRCNeuropathogenesis O Councilapproved a recommendationfrom at Cambridgefor f iveyears the Unit,Edinburgh, for her GroupConveners that in f utureall winners f rom beforemoving to Guido the'Grouo outstandingcontri bution stages'of thecompetition should be given aprize of S25 Pontecorvo'sDepartment to researchin the area of plusfree membership of theSocietyforthe following year, of Geneticsin the University transmissiblespongiform ofGlasgowin 1961,From Spring 2OOOJoint Meeting with SfAM encephalopathies,DrBruce 1968 hewas John Innes willdeliver OTheScientific Meetings Officer reported to Councilthat herprize lecture Professorof Geneticsin the attheSociety meeting themeeting at Warwick had been very successf ul with over at University of EastAngl ia, Heriot-Watt 1 delegatesregistered. The Symposium volume, Universityin Norwich,and head of the ,000 March entitledFighting lnfection in the2 | st Century,was 2001. GeneticsDepartment at the expectedto beavailable in September. JohnInnes Centre;he is nowan Emeritus member SGMioins UK Life Sciences Committee ffim.w#wwryrums$msffiw (uKLsc) of bothinstitutions, ffffi#wmrwefuffmffimg6p Throughouthis career he O ProfessorRitchie reported thatthe Society had been hasstudied the genetics of formallyaccepied as a memberof thisassociation of ffiw'#mwm Strepto myce s coeI i co I o r, learnedsocieties, which provides aforum forthe co- The areintended orizes to the'model'member of the ordinationof opinionsand policy in the biosciences encourageexcellence in groupof filamentous Gram- community.Councilsees this asafurtherstep in our thestudy of microbiologyby positivesoi I bacteriathat participationand support for thedevelopment of a undergraduatestudents arepre-em inent producers respectedcommon voice to represent and promote theviews of the to scholarship of antibiotics.His work - biosciencescommun ity. in,and awarenessof. alongwith that of many microbiologyinun iversities, - O Alan Vivian,General Secretary prizes others ledto the new The areawarded f ieldof 'com bi natorial annuallytothe under- biosynthesis'of'un natural graduatein each qualifying naturalprod uctsi in other institutionwho ffiM#www,ffiwwMffiffiffiffi oerforms wordsthe use of genetic bestin microbiology intheir A newedition of theSociety's Address Book for members engineeringto produce penultimateyear of studyfor 'hybrid' willbe produced this year. Any memberwhose current metabolites with a Bachelor'sdegree. Each address(as it appears on his/hermailing label) needs potentialapplications as winningstudent will receive amendment,orwhose telephone, fax or email details have drugs,atopic with which he 950,a certificateand a free changedsince the last edition should inform the isstill closely identif ied, A year'sundergraduate MembershipOffice at Marlborough House (email secondstrand of hiscurrent membershioofthe SGM, members@sgm,ac,uk) by 4 August. researchis to co-ordinate Invitationsto nominatea thesequencing (atthe studentfor the2000 orizes SangerCentre) of the have beensentto qualifying chromosomeof S, institutions,The ffiwwmwff ffiwmw-wffimwwro closingdate coelicolor,duetobe for receiptof completed completedby late 2000, DrBernard Dixon hasbeen awarded an OBEfor applicationforms'is 31 servicesto scientificiournalism in the Oueen's Birthday August2OOO. Further Davidhas always been HonoursList. copiesof the form and the activein teaching, at both Dr Richald James,School of Biological Sciences, fullrules of the scheme graduateand undergraduate Universityof EastAnglia, will take up the Chair of areavailable on the SG M levels,and in running Microbiologyinthe School of ClinicalSciences, University website, practicalcourses at home of Nottingham,inSeptember andoverseas. He isvery muchin sympathy with the TheSocietv notes with reoretthe deaths of aimsof theSociety, in (membe"r Dr C.Q"Dhrsel since1 953) and trainingas well as in the (member Dr S. Ramachandran since1 989), supporlof microbiolog ical researchin all its exciting r'r rrrani qcnantc

I4I $W$ffiffiffiffi$#tuffi ffiyrODAyVOL2T / AUcC/c- Grants

$m*&w mm'ffi $wmm ffiffiwwwm wmfu ffiwffiffiwwwfuffipem Thisnewly established scheme allows scientists to travel fromorto the U K/Republic of lrelandto carry outa def ined W wm*$wpm ffi#wwm€ffiww. pieceof researchin anyfield of microbiology.Applicants mustbe of postdoctorallevel or above. The visits may be of ,ffi€amMwwftwfuffpwffiwwm$wWtrw$ffiK%& upto 3 monthsduration. The awards coverthe costs of ffiffi#ffi ffiaem# returntravel, a subsistenceallowance and a contribution towardsthe costs of consumablesin the hostlaboratory, Thevacation studentships Membersmayapplyfor FOURcopies of thecompleted application form (available enableundergraduates to grantsto supportprojects work onthe website) and all supplementary documentation must onm icrobiological intendedto leadto an besubmitted to theSG M GrantsOffice for consideration. projectsduring the summer improvementinthe Fulldetails of the scheme were published on p.91 of the vacationbefore their fi nal teachingof anyaspect of year, Mayissue of MicrobiologyToday.Theclosing dates for Theyare intended to microbiology relevant to provide thetwo roundsof applicationsin 2000 are31 fuly and undergraduates educationin the U K, 3O November. withexperience of research Examplesof workwhich andto encouragethem to mightbe f undedinclude considera careerin theprovision of teaching laboratory-basedscience, materials(e,g. videos, slides, ffim&wwww m€www'em# ffiwwm$wpmmruremmw€ Supportis provided atthe posters),the development ffia,wm# rateof S 135 perweek, of reliable,novel practical fora maximumperiod of 8 exercises,new approaches Membersare reminded that Council has established an weeks.A smallsum of uoto to teaching/learning InternationalDevelopment Fund for competition this year. S400 mayalso be awarded familiarconcepts(e,g Thepurpose of the Fundis to makesmall grants available to towardsthe cost of computersimulations or helpmicrobiologists indeveloping countries and Eastern consumables.Students are tutoiials)or any other Europe,Members may applyforfunding to runtraining requiredto submita brief appropriateaspect. Grants coursesin laboratories indeveloping countries appropriate reoortof theirresearch on arealso now available to to theneeds of thosecountries, or for any other small thecomoletion of the fundsmall projects to projectto assist i n technology transfer f rom Western studentship,which in itself promotethe public Europe.Fulldetails of thescheme were published on p,92 isa useful exercise. The understandingof of the Mayissue of MicrobiologyToday.Theclosingdate schemehas oroved to be microbiology,These might forapplications is2 October 2OOO, verysuccessful and popular, includeworkshops, talks, Thisveara record number demonstrations,posters, of 54 applicationswas leaflets,broadcasts, ffimww#ffi&ffi trffi ffiffimkwww ffiwwrud received,After caref u I activitiesat science festivals scrutinyby referees and the andAVorcomputer Thepurpose of theSeminar Speakers Fund is promote to AwardPanel, studentships packages,The full rules of talkson microbiologicaltopics in departmental seminar wereoffered to 35 thescheme were oublished programmes,Applications are invited from Higher applicants.A list of onp,91 of the Mav issue of EducationInstitutions where microbiology istaughtfor awardeesis available f rom Microbiologyfoduy. grantsof upto 9200 towardsthe travel, and if necessary, theSGM Grants Office Applicationforms accommodation,expenses of aninvited speaker. on request. are Applicationswill be dealt with on a f irstcome, f irstserved availableon the SG M basisduring the academicyear, which is defined as running Councilhas set aside a website,There is no closing from September 20OO to June 2001 , Written submissions furthersum to f undvacation datefor applications,which shouldbe sent to the G rants Office for consideration, studentshipsnext year, Full willbe considered on afirst Detailsof the scheme were published on p.92 of the May detailsof the 2001 scheme come,first served basis issueof Microbiology Tod ay. willbe announced in the duringthe period 1 June nextissue of Microbiology 2OOO-31 May2OOl. Todav.fherules are availableon the SG M WfumWm&mssffifuffi ffiwsxpM ffisem# website, Memberswho are permanently resident in a developing countryare reminded thatthey may applyforfunding to acquirefor their libraries books, or possibly journals, relating to microbiology.These annual awards are available as a resultof a generousdonation from ProfessorT. Watanabe ofJapan. Full details of the scheme were published on p. 35 of the Februaryissue of MicrobiologyToday.Theclosing dateforthe receipt of applications,which should be made totheGrants Office, is 6October2OOO.

ffi$#ffi#ffi$#tu#ffiYTODAY VOL27 / AU?(J]_ W Theapplicantfrom a ffiruffiffiffiffi* developingcountry should GlynHobbs ffiwffiffi* bea permanentemployee ffiffiffiffiffirum* inthe country of residence, ffiwwffiwwwp musthave adequate work ffiwwwwwffiffitr ffiffiffiffi musthave experience, ffimrpwwse&m&$m*s ffiwffiffwwffiwffipw completedat least5 years & postdoctoraltraining in any ffi*mprmmmsw$mg TheInternational Union of ofthe microbiological Microbiological Societies sciencesand must provide (IUMS)is aworldwide soecificevidence in the federationof nationaland formbf a proposalabouithe internationalSocieties and workwhich is intended to otherorganizations having beoerformed atthe host a commoninterest in laboratory.Youngwomen microbiological sciences, scieniistsand scientists TheMicrobial Resources f romAf rica are particularly Centres(MIRCENS) is an encouragedto apply. internationalnetwork of Currently,f ive fellowships academicand research areavailable every year of Institutesspreading whichtwo should be served biotechnologicaland inlaboratories inthe UK, microbiologicalbenefits Theaward will be up to lwasoriginally introduced to especiallytodeveloping U5$4000fortraveland countries, microbiologyby a sixth-form subsistence(room and teacher.He hada PhDin the SGM,a memberSociety board)to supportthe subiectand an enthusiasm ofthe IUMS is making a awardeefor a maximum thaifired my interest. These seoaratecontribution to this periodof 3 monihs.Funds earlyexperiences led me to programmefromits forsalarvandmedical myfirstdegreein International Development insuranCewill not be microbiologyat University FUNO. provided.Coverage for life CollegeCardiff, The andaccident or healih TheUNESCO-IUMS- departmentprovided a insuranceisthe oersonal f riendly,stimulating and MIRCENS-SGMshon- andsole responsibility of termfellowship is a entertainin g environ ment theindividual orthe host forthose who were lucky co-ooerativescheme organization. betweenthe various listed enoughio havepassed organizationsto provide Applications (fou r copies) throughits doors, ltwas the anopportunity for young mustbe submitted in likesof DavidLloyd,Terry microbiologistsfrom any Englishand should consist Coakley,Julian Wimpenny countryto of a nominatingletter f rom andTed Hill that focussed developing ' pursue,orto complete,a the headof theorganization my intereststowards partof anongoing research inwhich the applicant is microbialphysiology, My programmein a laboratory working;the applicant's nextstep was a PhD, ina newlyindustrialized curri cu I u m vitae;aletter of fundedbythe Ministryof ordeveloped country, invitation or acceotance Defence,that allowed me to Microbiologistsin f romthe host organization studythephysiology of developingcountries describingfacility support Cladosporiumresinae activelypursu ing research, forthe applicant; and two underthewatchful eve of oftenreach afacility culde supportingletters AlanGriffiths. lthen left sacwhereresearch olans addressingthe applicant's Cardifffor Manchesterin cannotbe accomolished achievemenis, Ap pl icati o ns 1987 to takeuo a forwantofmaterials, mustbe submitted to postdoctoralpos ition wiih equipmentor facilities. Prof,DrW N,Konings, SiephenOliverand Jonn TheUNESCO-IUMS- Vice-presidentIUMS, Cullumat UMIST, Furtner MIRCENS-SGMshort- Departmentof Microbiology, formativeyears fol lowed termfellowship isdesigned Universityof Groningen, whenI learntmvfermenter to easethese oroblems for Kerklaan30,9751 N N tradeand was ihtroduced to deserving microbiolog ists Haren,The Netherlands (Fax the intricaciesof fromdeveloping countries +31 50 3632154;email Strepto myces coe I i col o r. I to enablethem to overcome [email protected]). movedto Liverpoolin 1992 their researchbottlenecks, Deadline:1December to takeup a lectureshipin andto strengthenthe bonds 2000, AppliedM icrobiology at of inter-regionalscientific LiverpoolJohnMoores co-ooeration. University,My current researchinterests are largelyfocussedon the physiologyand metabolism of a rangeof actinomycetes, lB ##ff#ffi#ffi &#$-#ffiYTODAYVOL27/ AUG@ ffiffiffiffiffiffi%ffi

Student LifeScience Careers 2000 Societies Organizedby: Programmeoutline ,.;:::?i.{ 7:1x'.,, UK ffi Introduction 4-3K L s c ffi NextWave:thescientif ic careerswebsite LifeSciencesW Researchcareers in largecompanies 'qsee@*w.'.':, : ":'-,*""" Grantsare available to \-ommittee ffi Coffeeand individual discussions supporttwolectures on W Clinicalcareers microbiologicaltopics per vuvuw.lifesci.org academicyear at Student W Publishing/sciencecommunication Societymeetings. ffi Lunchand individualdiscussions A StudentSociety is Areyou graduating in2001 or 2002 or a postgraduate ffi Splitsession: Further qualif ications or postdoctoral eligiblefor support if: student?Are you wondering whatto do next with your positions Itis run mainly by Iife? To learn about the careers avai lab le for g rad uates andfor students of inlife science today, make sure thatyou attend the Techn o l o gy transfe r/pate nt lawlb io i nf o rm ati cs conferencenearest to you. This year's events are lifesciences rvvvt either vr rr I W Teaandindividual discussions postgraduatesandlor beingheld at the following venues: ffi Teachingin schools undergraduates. # 4 November2000 Universityof Edinburgh ffi CVs,interviews and job hunting Itis based in the UK or Manchester Republicof lreland 18 November2000 UMIST, Summinguplgeneral discussion Theinvited speakers will t#tit2December2000 O,ueenMary & Westfield be reimburseddirectly for College,London reasonablecosis of travel CVreview service Eachevent offers a widerange of talks on career andaccommodation, furthertraining,plusguidance on job Tohave your CV reviewedby a recruitment However,please note: choicesand huntingand interviews. There are sessions on PhD professionalat theevent, please send 3 copiesto Themaximum claim for studentshipsand postdoctoral opportunities. Time is theaddress below before the closing date for eachlecture is S 150. availableinthe breaks for individual discussions with bookings, Onespeaker may be thespeakers and with representatives ofemployers invitedfrom abroad or andhigher education institutions. There is also an from lreland,butthere exhibitionwith plenty of literatureto take away. Cost in can be no increase S7.OO(includes coffee, tea andlunch) ihe maximumclaim for the lecture, Sponsored by: TheSociety will be Bookings reimbursedfor the cosis &. of entertainingthe Gffiffia,Scinncnls Seewebsite for f ulldetails of programmesand to speakertodinner, .rtalte downloada bookingform: includingthe expenses of WiTErrt www.sgm.ac.uklmeetings.htm one memberof the committee, A bookingform can also be foundoverleaf, All uk,nextwave.org enquiriesand completed application forms plus Applicationforms are paymentshould be sent to: availableon the website ww-w.sgm.ac.uk or MeetingsOffice fromThe Grants Office Societyfor General M icrobiology at SGM HO. MarlboroughHouse Tel,011BgBB1821 BasingstokeRoad Fax011BgBB5656 Qnonnorc \A/nnrl emaiI grants@sgm,ac,uk ReadingRG7 1AG Tel.OllBgBB1B05 Fax011BgBB5656 emailmeeti ngs@sg m,ac,uk

Contributions forGradline from youngsG M membersare alwayswelcome.

IODAYVOL2T/AUGOOIE icrobiologyinFglgols Advisory Gommrmmittee(MISAC) Schools Gompetition 2OOO:Vaccination: Iust a Ehot in the Arm?

RISHT(UPPFR): The aim of this year'scompetition was to encourage GCSFwinner Kate Riley (back and pupils'understanding that immunization enhances the irontpages) body'snatural defences, They were askedto createa PR09 dNd f0N5 oF VdifiNdtcN jiii fRfis.ir' :)l jirt'*r r,,liji,lif ;I)-". r[, i!l.i r] tl :. public informationleaflet, aimed at parents,whrch fii;lt!J iltielGcii .tit)r'-i! !iiftin!t r:l 'r;t1ilt::i,r1 :.1:i (L0WER): c4'TrrrtLrfrrli r[:iu.Ei :rriiliqr f,1,1{ !t]1,11|,.rill' RrsHT explainedhow immunizationprovides children with Ef i$fit..!r; uailif ::! e:r ;rf lt r*i ailr,.1' lr,a,lli w L:i. 0CSEwinner Natalie Gillam (front protectionagainst disease, The leaflethad to describe itri i;C!!rt il !f,;lili i C0N5^I!te.* i:t;lr.ltc caltr,, !r{E .r1rt::.r:f lt (:d,r i,at page) _ it works, coverthe vaccines *It.rc:lsrvfl fl) lrr'1:,yc:: ! cfr'ti, viiirii{.irl.r!i :ir vaccinationand how andto '1.r.: !-.i!",r-'s 11.i:i-t i_.t :' :;) lft::ir tr :rl ii l::- that are availablefor childrenand the prosand cons frlill tl BFTOW(UPPER): of vaccination.Many of the pupilsalso included a brief NPw pfvemfMf,Nts Vdcrh,f5 -14 L\ i 11 winnerLaura Feaver (fronl Ir., l' v:: historyof vaccinationand new developments in vaccines. ilrivi-, 'rirrJl.rfri:J i:'rr.r &rurpsearsfism*$ors uiriiL:i i; Ir:]fl r"r-i rr: {r' page). jlxi lrui,ttdir: Lu rr:1r rr lcri!!;i, Cijr'rifl:,1 t t't ;r r, guide parents. 'r:)ii.al A for 170 partin the competition,which was l;l)liJ r'l:fl ?iii.ir:'1li:d ! ,ii: :J r::rr i:ill"i Over schoolstook 'f;iilve j, ijf rl it )tiirrJr' i. !r:.1iilrT !r iir.1: dr.lf. BEL0W(L0WtR): judgedin two age groups,11-14 and GCSE,and in rtr!ii{ :,:!tlrt!:illi+1. 11-14winner Sam Piper (inside excessof 2000 leafletswere submitted,For the first pages) timetwo of the schoolswere from overseas, one in India andthe otherin Bangkok.There were also more entries from Scotland,Wales and both Northernand Southern lrelandthan in previousyears, which was pleasing. The largenumber of entrieswas probablydue to the fact =:ff thatthe competition was linked closely to the UK National # Curriculumand providedan excellentassessment ffi@ opporlunityfor bothKeystage 3 andGCSE pupils, This is Presentationsof cashprizes highlightedby someof thecomments sent in byteachers andcertificates have taken fromparticipating schools: Prace^l^^^ aT ^+ Tne +t ^ wrnn Ing schools,ln addition,a pack Entering was a stimulatingaddition to recent KSSwork Thefacls abauf of microbiologyteaching FO VOI' on Healthand Disease. :ti,t materialshas been sent to WAIIT IHE We've had OFSTEDin and had the pamphletson everyentering school and VACCI[!ATI0 An Intornat on leif 4: tof lrrrfd. fr)rn lfe BEIST FOR displayfor the inspectors.. , eachstudent has received Df90Rlrcni o'lleJ,lh a certificateof participation YOUR CHTLII'S We have reallyenjoyed working towardsthis and thank in the compeiition.Further you for giving us the opporiunity. detailsof ihe winnersare Theywere very keento researchthe topic in the local availableon the SGM libraryand doctors and all enjoyedthe experience. website. Allthe pupilsfound thisexercise to be bothentertaining A selectionof the leaflets and educational.Please couldyou forward any other will be displayedat the detailsof othersuch competitionsthat your committee Annual Meeting of the is involvedin. Associationfor Science leafletshelped Educationat the University The chanceto do the to enhancethe ^+ /:,,i1.]+^,,{ i^ t. Ol |.rUllOlOrOIn JanUary If left tolally tc chonce, your child's theorytaught in class. flrst exposure to a discase may be 2001 as partof an interna- from a germ too stroiq for them to flght. That's vrhy before therc were Thecompetition has beena mostvaluable motivator... tionalcelebration of pupils' vacclnes, many babies and young sciencework, lt id also chlldron died from iffectious dise0ses Thequality of the entrieswas very high and it provedan llke whooping cajUgh, measlcs, and hoped that the Health dlphtheria. Those samc gcrms exl5t extremelydifficult process for MISACmembers, underthe today, but today's bdbies and childfen EducationAuthority will be arc protected by vJ{icineii. fiead on to chairmanshipof JohnGrainger, to selectthe winners, find out more. able to use the leaflets Tha nrizp loqflotq \^/ora to promotevaccination, (lll \ . i..r |.''." strf f'lrxn,lrrr \sr \tlr.r i.hlqnetilelA:* ! \l! i" 1,- ,, . , h.1 -: .i - L ".:rx rr.,ri.!1..1rr.t, !l! r selected because thev r.!. ',, lln:,.r.r,.' trri;r\r MISAC wishes to expressits sincerethanks to the rrfr : .i!,,11r'r,. I'.1,,1 displayedaccurate knowl- ,L,:,. ir, !r.il.r ti) . edgewhich was attractively sponsors of the competition:British Society for presentedin a formatsuit- lmmunology,Federation of EuropeanMicrobiological ablefor the targetaudience Societiesand Don Whitley Scientific. of parents, O Dariet Burdass,ScM The first-prizewinners in the 11-14 group were ifn:tifrL.lhriint ' ,, I,r.',l -fa!1 !',rr,,,.r. r:i r,:-1Iii.rl ni!.r: Sam Piper of Wood- rlui !, ll: ilil. r-t ,:,. lrit., l:.i r rnr,/ bridgeSchool and Laura nrl trf !,,.-,,ar.rL,r,.-t,:lr r..t I .rJ '. 1l r .,?1 hi': Feaver of St Margaret's

.r:. rnJt:,1 ! t School, Exeter, and in .!'nlrr: i, 'rir the GCSE range were {rr:11 ,1..r, r',i, !c.ai L)!ir !'i".i 1/ irr !r. Kate Riley of Stafford ,r,h: .i.:r t:,i ri { /1,i Grammar School and Natalie Gillam oi rne RoyalHigh School,Bath, ffiwffimmffiffiffi ffiru*ffiawwm ffiffiffiffi ffiww€mm6w Meetings on 4 #*Vttu #n#iftarwryi' ffi ur'*€$rxg ffiffi$q8ffi#tr*#"s '*. the web Wtr*t+t tct r;*t':*u# f ffim *€ *s'' S4ffi.{fu #r"e$$rxaerg ffi#e**r*$r"rg Up-to-date information on T#*"? # "-.%,*p'{;*rN"rF.aq*a*d3## futureSociety meetings is O Main Symposium (12-lSSeptember) Fd*n r* *:'t -'-+..4i ;t 89 availableon the website: Community Structure and Go-operation il$r'r *\u#r$t**:u ffi,# trr k $"xrgg f* http://www.sgm.ac.uk in Biofilms H#**1fit&#**' fu ft".t{.}T 0rganizers:PGilbert, PM. Goodwin, HM. Lappin-Scottand M,Wilson O Main Symposium Meetings New Ghallenges to Furtherinformation aboutthe c0ntent ofthe symposium appears 0n Health: the Threat organization no.136-1 37 TheSGM meetings of Virus Infection programmesare organrzeo 0rganizers:PM.Goodwin bythecommittees of the ewtrj *ry.# #ffi *i,['"_r] f,,,1ffi; ffi {:} # ffiL #"fl W.Llrving, J,McCauley specialinterest groups, co- Abooklet giving full details ofthe pr0gramme anda booking form is DJ. Rowlands andG L, Smith ordinatedby the Scientific encl0sedwith this issue of Microbiology Today. Any po$ed changeswillbe Speakers: MeetingsOff icer, Dr Pat onthe SGM website (Atlanta) Goodwin.Suggestions for C,J.PETERS Surveillance anddetec[ion ofviruses topicsfor future symposia 'ffiffi'{ ?dl i;} r,* # 11-! f',$ llLli f i-JY#, #" 5 arealways welcome. See "" "# B.GREN FELL (Cambridge) Thebook ofthe Main Symposium willbe on sale atthe meeting, p,1 56 forcontact details 1verviewofthe epideniological Anorder form for members willbe published inthe November issLle 0f of GrouoConveners. inpactofviruses Administrationof Microbiologyloday, R,ELLI0TT(Glassow) meetingsis carried out Han[avirus/bunyavirus byMrs Josiane Dunn of # {"}f: FL" tr {:"l} x.}* S"fl'{::, ilT *:} $ii i: S # *+I ;*'.i'i # i4* BRICHARDS0N (Sydney) theMeetings Off ice at Willdelegates whose offered posters hatle been accepted please note that Calictvirus SGM Headquarters, anarea 0{ i mx 1 m0NLY isavailable onthe po$er boards fortheir display A,HAY (Nl[/R) lnfluenza virus MarlboroughHouse S LEM0N(Iexas) Hepatitisvirus BasingstokeRoad, W r:&i {:*}. t} #*: fi FX fr: f'* #"{ i {l [:iffi {.};-t' tr il} R.WtISS (London) H// SpencersWood, Atthe meeting aboard will be set up with notices ofjobs, po$doctoral T,BARREIT (Pirbrisht) ReadingRG7 1AG positionsstudentships courses conferences, etc.Contributions are Morbillwiruses Tel.0118 988 1805 CWEISSMAN (kndon) LSFs Fax01 1 8 988 5656 welcomeand may either be brought tothe meeting orsent beforehand to JanetHurst atMarlborough House. J.PSI0YE (Nll,llR) Endogenous [email protected],uk retrov iru s / xe n o[ ra ns p Ia ntati on C.B0SH0FF (London) s: Millennium W h*I S"r# F{Y # il fv}I ffi# f* I# i"# tu}Y$*F:#.fl ii ilq n; 0am nah erp esv iral infecti on s i n meeting 1745 Tuesday,l2 September im m u nocon pron ise dpo pu Iati ons University of Warwick Theanti-vaccination movehent of the 19th centurv and H,D KLENK(Marburg) fbolaand April2000 itsimpact on public health Marburgviruses FightingInfection in ColinR. Howard (RoyalVeterinary College, London) DGUBLER(CDC USA)Densue the 21st Century virus lnthis firsttalk of a new sBries atSGM meetings, which aims to explore volume |].LUDWIG (Berlin) Bornaviruses Symposium tlari0tlshistorical perspectives ofmicrobiology, Professor Howard will Thiswill be available later G,DARBY (Stevenage) Drug discusshis researches intowhy the UK public atlarge has an itlgrained deve lop n e n[ an d d ru g resistan ce inthe yearfrom Blackwell resistancetoimmunization andhow this resistance hasemerged. The Science.The orice will be lectureisbased on material held in the Reece Collection atthe London S65,with a 40o/odiscount SchoolofHygiene andTropical Medicine. Professor Howard isVice- for membersof SGM and PrincipalforResearch atthe RoyalVeterinary College His own current SfAM.To receive an order post-exposure formwhen the book is researchesfocus on novel vaccines and immunotherapy published,please complete theform on the meetings pageof theSG M website, orcontact the Events Administrator,

27/AUGm ' ,,t.'l$:l.$.$""B: Other .i$$is',titr'r,s;$tft News O Other Symposia, i.{rPost-t ransc ri pt io nal Microbial Pathogens European Virology and Workshops controlof gene of the Respiratory 2000 expressron Tlact 'i Wall-lessorganisms li * i.l { .r.iin* $.r'{,,,,,,r 1't'tit": r* i' Cells&Cell Surfaces Group VirusGroup NationalUniversity .li I li :,11ll of lreland,Maynooth 0rganizers:l.Sutcliffe 0rganizer:lBrierley 1]i',..'l1r* i i;.is.iil,fq:l I!; $'.4i'l I i. (iainsuhliffe@sunderland,ac uk) (ib103@mole biocam ac.uk) 7-8 September2000 :: ; (mwoodward@ Speakers: andM.J Woodward ,aT+S pecial sym posi u m : Supportedbyawide range of gtnetgov D0 FLANAGAN (lreland) cvlwood uk) Genomicsand their Europeanvirology organizations, fpideniologyof[uberculosrs in includingtheSGM, the meeting fiMonitoringand impacton bacterial lreland aimstoprovide aforum for basic treatmentof blood- systematics DVAN S00tlNGEN (Ihe researchersandclinical virologists borneviruses Systematics& Evolution Group Netherlands)Useof Dl,lA toexchange insights and withthe International Committee ClinicalVirology Group fingerp rinti ng to examine [he informationandenhance onSystematic Bacteriology transn i ssion of tu b e rcu I osts 0rganizers:J.Connell (jeff interactionsltis hoped thal Howardgraduated witha BSc in GSaddler (gsaddler@ J IVIcFADDEN(University ofSurrey) connell@ucdie)and C McCaugheyContact 1200+ delegates willattend from microbiologyandvirology cabiorg) for details lub e rc u Io si s, i d e ntifi cati on, co ntro I (cmccaughey@qubacuk) aroundthe world. Each daythe attheUniversity ofWarwick (1975) andepideniology plenarysessions willbe followed by anda PhD in applied biochemistry # Benchmarkingin rli Eveningworkshop M C0RIVIICAN(Galway) Anti- fourworkshopswitha keynote atthe University ofNoltingham in microbiology ed ucation foryoungmembers: bacterialdrugresistance inlower speakerand offered papers and 1978He then worked for 5 years as Genomics respiralo ry tract inf e cti o n s EducationGroup posters, apo$doctoral research assistant Physiology,Biochemistry and JP LATGE (ln$itut Pasteur) 0rganizer:T,Cartled ge Plenarysessions include : withJoel Mandelstam at0xford on MolecularGenetics Group Molecularandcellular strategies to ([email protected] uk) VaccinesNeurovirology, Hepatitis, thebiochemi$ry andgenetics of studythe virulenrc ofAspergillus 0rganizer:M Larkin (m larkin@ Viruses&Cancer, Respiratory sporulationbyBacillus subtilis, Ne ,*r fumigatus Microbe-pollutant qubac uk) Viruses,Emergin g/Disappearing wasappointed lecturer in0ral DDENNING (Manche$er) interactions: Viruses,Viruses &the lmmune Biologyatthe University of0tago Diagnosisandnanagenen[ of biodegradationand 0fferedposters arewelcome System, NewZealand in1983 promoted to bioremediation Pleasesubmittitles andabstracts invasive asp e rg il lo si s Forfurther details and to regi$er seniorlecturer in1987 and awarded tothe appropriate symposium K MILLS(|\llaynooth) Mechanisns EnvironmentalMicrobiology seethe website :www.euro- apersonal chair in 1996. During this organizerorGroup Convener bythe ofi mn un ity to Bo rd ete II a p e rtu ssi s Group virology.comorcontact: In periodhe was a Commonwealth deadlineof17 November 2000 0fferedoral and po$er presentations 0rganizer:KSemple(k semple@ ConferenceLtd,10B Broughton VisitingFellow atthe Department welcomeespecially from postgrads lancasteracuk) StreetLane, Edinburgh EH13LY ofBiochemistry University of andpo$docs who could win a prize 01315569245:email Cambridge(1989-90) andatthe Deadlineforreceipt: 31July 2000 0el Biotransformations inconference@cableinet,co,uk)Instituteof[/olecular Medicine Fermentation&Bioprocessing Fordetails contact the organizer Universityof0xford (1995-96). He KevinKavanagh (kkavanagh@may ie) wasappointed tothe Chair of0ral andPhysiology, Biochemistry & i{Fi}i3L,i i:ir$j:ril{ iitrli:; Microbiologyatthe University of MolecularGenetics Groups Grantsare available {rom the SGIV Titlet.b.c. Bri$olin July 1992 Howard was 0rganizer:RHall (rmh3435@gqr rr-;i,it i' ! j: i:i: foryoung members wishing to :i-r,: SecretarythenPresident ofthe COUK) ! ;;,.-'i,l!1 Waterfordlnstitute attendthis meeting. Application ]i;{:.i.; ;,.s:i t!l i.:ir:ji NewZealand Section ofthe of Technology formscan be downloaded fromthe *iil O Main Symposium International Association forDental New enzymetargets 4-5 January2OO1 website:www.sgm.ac.uk Mycobacteria: New Research(1987- 94) Secretary of foranti-microbials 0fferedpapers from po$graduates theMay issue of Micnbiology Developments See theNew lealand [/licrobiological MicrobialInfection Group with welcome. today,p93,for details, (nniotv/1 Q01 -04\ cnd hcc hoonc BiochemicalSociety 0rganizers:lVlGoodfellow OUtrlULy\ IJJ l-JT/ dllU lldD UUEII d 0rganizer:Catherine 0'Reilly memberonthe Cells &Cell PlVl.Goodwin, HlVl. Lappin Scott '.:. 0rganizer:LJVPiddock (coreilly@wit "" .r "' , GSaddler andD. Smith ie) .. SurfacesCommittee since 1996, Pleasecontactthe Group Convener SGMwill have a$and in the trade Heis standing down from Convener Othersymposia include : P,Andrew (pwa@le ac,uk) Functional exhibition,Please call in to learn job Microbiallife$yles/Research ofthis Committee totake on the Genomics of aboutSociety activities and of MeetingsOfficer # Microbiologyof supervision- howto get it right/ SG[/Scientific Microbial Pathogens publicationsandto meetthe JGV primaryresearch nitricoxide Microbialinteractions inaquatic Howard's Dublin editorialteam, withthe environments/Monitoringand TrinityCollege interestsareconcerned Physiology,Biochemistry and of controloffermentation 22-23 March2001 molecularcharacterization MolecularGenetics Group particular bioprocessses/lVlobileelements 0rganizer: ABell (abell@hd ie) microbialcellsurfaces, in 0rganizer:lV]Larkin (m larkin@ adhesionandcolonization invirulence/Clinical aspectsof the oubac,uk) Fordetaiti hith determinantsofbacteria and their artinomycetes "f Branchactivities interactionswithmammalian host contactthe Convener, cellsand tissues. MartinCollins (m. co | | i n s @q u b. ac. u k)

i'";?i"l-;,] ::, ;", Tii : " i:-;i lE"TODAY V OL27 / AUG00m Sciencewriter ffiwmwmNfuffmm&$wffi ffiffi&wffi trk MerielJonestakes a Molecularbiology provides a newwayof tracking lookatsomepapers in epidemics,and can shed light on the origin of diseases. currentissues of the Thereis an epidemic of cottonleaf curl disease, which Society'sjou rnals wh ich hasspread through the majorcotton-growing areas of highlightnew and Pakistansince 1 985, caused by a novelseries of formsof excitingdevelopments begomovirus.Begomoviruses cause many important plant diseasesand typically carry all their genetic information on inmicrobiological twocircular single-stranded DNA molecules (DNA-A and research, DNA-B).The virus spreading through Punjab and Northern Sindhis unusual in apparently only containing DNA-A, alongwith a secondvery small circular strand of DNA thatresembles partof the genome of a nanovirusand occasionallya third circle of DNAthat is a defectivepiece of DNA-A, There are at leastfou r typesof this Pakistancotton leafcurl virus (CLCuV-PK) DNA-A. All share sequences witha begomovirusthat infects the vegetable okra, while the differencesbetween sometypes are as muchas between otherbegomovirus species. Theimplication from this, and other, research was THISPAGE (RIOHT): thatCLCuV-PK in Pakistanwas very prone to recombining Duringthedevelopment of0, itsgenetic information, with both itself and other discoideum,amoebae enter an begomoviruses.This requires plants to be infectedwith aggregatebychemotaxis toward morethanone begomovirus simultaneously, Researchers in ffiwwwffwWffi ffiw%&ffi $wfu ww&ffi wxW cAMP.This experiment shows that Pakistan,Spain and the K,led (labelled U byBryan Harrison and David Youalways have the ideathatmicrobes lead a lonely,single- cellsof a cheater mutant Robinsonfrom the withgreen fluorescent protein) and ScottishCrop Research Institute, have celledlife. However, individuals of somespecies can get thoseof the wild-type (detected by beeninvestigating exactly how manytypes of begomovirus togetherfor a verydef i n ite pu rpose. The amoeba-l ike cells phasecontrast) enter an aggregate canbe found in leavesfrom cotton, okra and other plants in of the eukaryoticslime mould Diclyostelium normally live withapproximately equalefficiency. Pakistan.They have now reported a seriesof molecular alone,engulfing their bacterial prey. When the supply of Eachamoeba isB-10 mm in biologicalexperiments which identify substantial stretches bacteriarun out, they emit a chemicalsignaland 1 00,000 diameter.See the f0llowing website of DNA-Afromeach typeof CLCuV-PKvery precisely, and Dictyosteliumindividuals will come together and differentiate foran animated view of aggregation: payparticular attention to regionsthat seem prone to intoastalkwith a massof sporeson top. Eighty percentof the http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/ recombination. cellsmake it into spores.The remainderwilldie, gsas/anatomy/Faculty/Kessin/index. sacrificing themselvesto shootthe sporesaway from html Theirresults indicated that many plants in Pakistanwere the barrenarea andinto the path of passinginsects that will disperse c0tJRIESYDEEN. DAO (WH0 THANKS infectedwith more than one begomovirus, Inone series of the spores. MARYWUAND THERESA SWAYNE OF teststheyfound signs of two;oreven three,types in 14 out IHECOTUMBIA UNIVERSITY of 43 plants,This CONFOCALFACILITYFOR ASSISTANCE) happenedin cotton, its relatives, and in Thistypeof masssuicideforthe benefitof the species totally u n rel ated plant species Ii ke tobacco and bottlegou rd, alsohappens in the myxobacteria,a group of prokaryotic Anothertest detected OPPOSITEPAGE(UPPER): recombinant begomovirus microbes,These hunt as packs,secreting enzymes to digest VolcanoesNational Park, Hawaii, sequencesin 8 outof 1B plants.Whenthe researchers otherbacteria and then absorbing the resulting soup. When fromwhere Iheyeast Pichia examinedbegomoviruses extracted from plants growing theyrun outof prey,theytooaggregate and develop into a hawaiiensis was isolated some outsidetheregion of thecotton leaf curlepidemic,they fruitingstructure that unfortunately probably requires the 20years ago. coulddetect single infections with viruses that matched deathof mostof the cells. COURTESYTRAVETINK/ partsof CLCUV-PK,but notthe whole of it,The relationships Thesemicrobes may provide insight GERAINTIELLEM betweenthe begomovirusesin Pakistanlook like a network intothe evolution of the multicellularlifestyles adopted by most plants maintainedby f requentrecombination, a much more andanimals, Buttheyalso interest scientists studying parasitism OPPOSITEPAGE(LOWER): complexsituation than reported in other parts of the becauseof anunusual problem. Multipleresistance oftransgenic world.New variants, like those causing the current Unlikemost animals, the cellsthat gettogether are not genetically tobaccoplants, Plants were epidemicof CLCuV-PK,can emerge and undergo furlher identical.Although inoculatedwith IUMV (row 2) or differentiationmay be good forthe recombination,generating even more variants. The reasons species,it is not TSWV(row 3)first, then those necessari ly good f or eachi nd ivid fortheseconstant genetic changes still await discovery, ual.A ny Di ctyoste Ii u m Ihat plantsthat did not show systemic findsitself in astalk has cometo adead end,As Rich Kessin symptomsafter34 days were Sanz, A. I., Fraile, A., Garcia-Arenal,F.,Zhou, X., andhis colleagues, Dee N, Dao and Herbert L. Ennis, at inoculatedwith TSWV (row 2)or Robinson, DJ., Khalid, S., Butt,T. & Harrison, B.D. (2000). ColumbiaUniversity, point TUMV(row 3). Rows 1and 4 were USA, out,over evolutionarytime, Multiple infection, recombination and genome relationships among andgiven the geneticdiversity in the wild,strains (called non-transgeniccontrols inoculated begomovirus isolates found in cottonand otherplants in Pakistan. cheaters)should evolve that refuse to contributeto the stalk withTuMV and TSWV, respectively. J GenVirol 8I, T839-1849. Iheplants were photographed after of Di ctyo ste Ii u m or the f ruiti n g structu res of myxobacte ri a. 49days. Thesestrains would, in effect, be parasiticon theirown COURTESYDENNISGONSALVES, species,The researchers pred ict that cheater strai ns of CORNELLUNIVERSIIY. NY.USA Dictyosteliumshouldonlyform spores, and ignore signals

27/pUGm ffiwrywwm#$wmwmwrew ffiwwm**ffi-ffi Whenviruses infect plants,theytake overthe plantto Thenativetrees of Hawaii makelarge amounts of thevirus, ratherthan the normal havetheir own unique fungi, componentsof a plantcell. Not surprisingly, many plants foundnowhere else in the havedeveloped ways to detectthisabnormal activity and world,Cletus Kurtzman eliminateit,The olant's defences can actatthe most andhis colleagues have fundamentallevel of geneactivity and specifically destroy nowdescribed one of them, anyinstructions for making viral components as soon thesing le-celled yeast asthey are synthesized. This process is called post- Pi c h i a haw aL'r'ensrs. lt was transcriptional gene silencing (PTG S). foundon rotting barkfrom Charpentieratreesin Althoughthe mechanism of PTGSis notfully understood, VolcanoesNational Park on biotechnologiststhink it can be exploited to developnew theisland of Hawaiiover 20 varietiesof virus-resistantplants and are exploring ways to yearsago, but itsidentity has dothis,Tomatospotted wiltvirus (TSW)and iurnipmosaic alwaysbeen uncertain. The virus(TuMV) are, despite their names, among the 1O most traditionalway of ideniifying importantvirusesthat cause disease in vegetables, They yeastsis to testtheir ability bothinfect a muchwidervariety of plantsthan their names to digesta largenumber of imply.Researchers atCornell University, USA, have been comoounds.This can work investigaiingwhethertransgenic plants can be protected verywell,butruns into fromboth these diseases simultaneously byPTGS. problemsin some closely Severalresearchgroups have protected plants byadding relatedsoecies, wholeviral genes to them,However, there are concerns that TheAmerican researchers fromoiher cells to participatein a stalk,They might even thismight produce altered forms of virus. Dennis Gonsalves haveapplied a new activelydrive wild-type cells into becoming the stalk. One andhis colleagues have now reported that only parts of a molecularbiological method newdifficulty for such strains might be an inabilityto form a viralgene are required, provided they are attached to to sortoui these difficulties. fruitingbody without wild-type cells. anothergene that tri g gers PTG S. They have p rod uced Thisrelies on technica. tobaccoplants containing the gene for aTuMV protein Butis there any evidence for cheaterstrains? There are improvementsso thatlarge joinedonto asmallpartof agenefromTS\WSome of these strainsof myxobacteriathatare very bad at makingspores oiecesofDNAcan nowbe paired plantswere res istant to bothvi ral d iseases, Interesti ng ly, ontheirown, butare efficientwhen witha normal isolatedand seouenced otherplants were only resistant to TUMVand the researchers partner,Myxobacterial spores are sticky and this may help routinely.Earlier research by hopethatthesemay helpthem discoverwhich arethe most cheatersto attachthemselves to anexploitable strain, There thisgroup had shown that, in effectivegene segments for plantprotection. isalso suggestive evidence from some wild slime moulds, mostascomycete yeasts, buttheColumbiagroup now have directevidence inthe Jan,F.-J., Fagoaga,C.,Pang, S.-2. & Gonsalves,D. (2000). oneregion of the gene for a (chtA).fhey formof a cheatermutant isolatedit byselecting A single chimeric transgene derived from two distinct viruses structuralcomponent of cellsof Dictyosteliumdiscoideumthat over many confers multi-virus resistancein transgenic plants through ' ribosomes(265 rDNA) was generationsalways ended up inspores.fhe chtAmutant homology-dependent gene sllencing.J G m Virol 8I, 2103-2109. sufficiently variable to cannotproduce spores unless it ismixed with afewwild- distinguishonefrom typecells, which always form the stalk. The final signalfor another,When they applied sporeproduction comes from the stalk,so the chfAmutant thismethod totheir relieson exploiting its law-abiding fellows.The mutation in Hawaiianisolates, it was thecheaters is in a proteinthat probably marks other obviousthatthey were proteinsout for destruction,The targets are not knownyet, differeni f romall currently butmight include ones that regulate the final steps in spore recognizedspecies, production,The group is in hot pursuit of the target proteins. althoughclosely related to Thisabilityto make an unfaircontribution to the next Pichiapopu I i and Williopsi s generationisnot confined to microbes.ln mostanimals, californicapopuli. allcellsapartfrom the gametes are genetically identical, Phaff,HJ., Starmer,V.T. & andthe cells that give rise to the gametesare themselves Kurtzman,C .P. (2O0O). Pi ch ia setapart early on inthe embryo.Onlythey have any bawaiiensissp. nov., occurring in possibilitytoacquire an unfairshare of thefuture. Despite decaying bark of Charpmtiaa thislimited potential for cheating, asystem call meiotic drive trees in the Hawaiian hasdeveloped that allows some gametes, particularly in archipelago. I nt J Sy st EuoI Drosophilaandin mice,to makeunequal contributions io Minobiol 5O. 1683-1686. offspring.Cheating must be defeated somehow orelse evolutionwould not occur. Dao,D.N., Kessin, R.H. & Ennis,H.L. (2000). Developmental cheating and the evolutionary biology ofD icty osteliurn and My xococcus. Microbi o I ogy 146, Li 0t -I, I 2.

VOL27IAUGOOIE OPPOSITEPAGE (FAR RIGHT): EPECinteracting with microvillus- likeprocesses onH Ep-2 cells. Thebeaches of the White COURIESYROBERI FITI||ENRY GADI Seahave shallow lagoons FRANKELFABIENNE LA[/OUREUX AND containingmats of microbial AtANPHILLIPS communities,Many of the microbes are photosynthetic, THISPAGE (RIGHT): evenones that live on the Ascuba diver (Susanne [/enger surfaceof the sulphur-rich [/laxPlanck Institute forMarine mud,They have special intothe differences ffi#wwwffiffiffisffi m&mm# &ffiruw fummffi... [/licrobiologyBremen, Germany) pigmentsto exploit the dim betweenspecies, genera carryingoutfine-scaled rnsllu light anduse the orevenwhole kingdoms. Theprokaryotes now known as Archaeawere orrginally and effectively measurementsoftemperature detectedas the only living cells in extreme habitats such as pHat the hot water vent in sulphurcompounds in place As partof a collaborative suoer-heatedwater or concentrated brine, Taxonomists PalaeochoriBay(Milos Greece) ofwater in reactions that project,researchers at the inBmofwater convertlight into aform of Instituteof Microbiologyin havenow classif ied prokaryotes into two domains, the COURIESY WIEBKE ZIEBIS, energythatis usefulto a MoscowandInstitutfur ArchaeaandlheBacteria. lt madea nicestorythalArchaea, [/AXPLA[lCK INSTITUTE FOR[/ARINE livingcell, Thiocapsa litoralis Meereskundeat Kielin whichperhaps resembled the f irstlife on Earth,only survived [/ ICROBIOTOGYBRE[/EN, GERMANY isa newlydiscovered Germanystudied this inundesirable places that more advanced organisms had exampleof these bacteria. featurein a newlyisolated abandoned,However, itis becoming apparentthatthis is THISPAGE (BELOW): Itsnon-motile spherical cells strainf romthe White Sea farfromthetruth. ltalldepends on howyou go looking Ultrathinsection ofcells of staytogether in small f lat that lookedlike a Thiocaps a. forsignsof life, Thiocapsalitoralis BM5T from late- clusters,called platelets, Thestudy conf irmed that it Microbiologistshave known for a longtime that if you search exponentialgrowth phase showing surroundedby athick certain ly was a Thiocapsa, forbacteria bytheirabilityto grow in the laboratoryyou will atypical four-cell aggregate. The capsule.The cells are prnk butsuff iciently different formationofthick cell septa and a missones thatdo not like the growth conditions on offer. So, to rose-redin colourand fromall known species of mLlcotlscapsule keeps the cells theyhave a numberof otherwaysto detectbacteria. One of togetherCells are approximately containglobules of thisgenus to bea brandnew theseuses rRNA,which is partof the protein synthetic 1pm in diameter elementalsulphur, formed species, Th i ocapsa Iito ral t s. machineryof allcells. Cells need to makemany proteins, so asintermediates in PHOTOLL [/ITYUSHI[/A Puchkova, N.N., Imhoff, J.F. eachhas lots of rRNAmolecules. Another usef ulfeature of COURIESYJOHANNES F I[/HOFF, metabolism. & Gorlenko, V.M. (2000). rRNAis that it contains conserved parts that evolve very INSTITUTFUR[/EERESKUNDE KIEL nov., a new OER[/ANY Itsidentity, like that of allthe Thiocapsalitoralzi sp. slowlyover geologicaltime, as wellas parts that evolve at a Thiocapsa,is not determi ned purple sulphur bacterium from fasterrate. Microbiologists can therefore use this information microbial mats from the \White byappearance alone. to identifybacteria at species, family and even kingdom level, Sea.lntJ SystEuolMicrobiol 5O, Anotherimportant feature is 14411441. A groupof researchersatthe Max Planck Institute for thesequence of partof a MarineMicrobiology inBremen, Germany, have now structuralcomponent of its reportedtheirwork on the bacteria living around a ribosomes.These complex hydrothermalvent in a sandybay off the island of Milosin cellorganelles synthesize, Greece,This vent is another symptom of the geological proteinsand can only processesthat produce earthquakes and volcanoes in the tolerateIi m ited alterations region.Working in 8 m ofwater, scuba divers could collect withoutsuffering impaired sediment cores and s i m u ltaneously take thei r temperatu re. function.By caref ully Backin Germany, the researchers sliced up the cores and choosingwhich areas to extractedthe rRNA.Theythen measured how much examine, taxonom ists can therewas f romeitherA rchaeaor Bacteriaatdifferent seeevolutionary changes to temperatu res and depths, thismolecule that translate TherR NA sampli ng showed that almost al I the prokaryotic cellswere in the top 2 cmof sediment,with much more near tothe ventthan in the cooler regions only 2m away.The really s u rp ri s i n g resu lt wasthe propo rtion of Arch ae a. Thesewere always a minorpart of the microbial community, reachingonly 1 1 .9 % insediments at 82'C, Thismatches someearlier reporls from deep-seavents and terrestrial hotsprings,but is the firstfrom asystematic study of the microbesIiving along a thermalg rad ient. However, the factorsthat allow Bacteriato dominate in a hightemperature environmentthatwasonce believed to bethe realm of Archaearemain elusive.

Sievert, S.M., Ziebis,'W., Kuever,J. & Sahm, K. (2000). Relative abundance of ArchaeaandBacteria alongathermal gradient ofa shallow-water hydrothermal vent quantified by rRNA slot-blot hybridization . Microbiology 146, 1281 -1293.

27/AUGm '*Ww Wwnffiffi,t*g'*"ffiffi'xnqx Diarrhoeais unpleasant at any age but strains of Escherichia colicalledEPEC are acommon cause of life-threatening diarrhoeaininfants in the developing world, EPEC change thesurface of iniestinalcells. The microvilli, which normally absorbnutrients f rom food, are destroyed and bacteria becomecradled in cup-shaped protrusions of the cell membrane.The EPEC strains force these changes onto theintestinal cells viathe proteins they secrete. One ofthese, Tir, ends up in the intestinal cell membrane and another,intimin, can attach to Tir. EspA forms a structure onthe surface of theEPEC cells that is needed to secrete EspBand Tir, as wellas bridging the gap between the bacterialand intestinal cells. The importance of eachof these,or other, proterns in the disease symptoms and exactlywhat they do are still unclear. However,a collaborative project between Alan Phillips attheRoyal Free Hospital in London and Jorg6 Giron at Benem6ritaUniversidad Autonoma de Puebla in Mexico, alongwith Gadi Frankelat lmperialCollege inLondon, have nowpinned down a secondrole for intimin. They compared classicEPEC strains with others that lacked the abilityto produceeither intimin, Tir, EspA or EspB. The researchers grewlayers of cellsin culture and then put the bacterial cells ontothem and took photographs overthe nextfew hours &,*e&*-€uwmffim$$;epw$w #wwww.e $:$wffiruwry wtrmffi€w fumw€ffitr#ffi anhourof adding EPEC withan electron microscope.Within Thenewest member of thisgenus were already wassig n if icantly d ifferent microvillus-likeprocesses (M LP) had appeared as bacteria, the genusPaen tbacill us knownfor their production fromthe 24 otherspecies. infectedcells that grewto enmesli tubes'onthe surface of canproduce an antifungal of enzymesthat degrade Aswell as differences in anotherhourthe MLP had andanchorthe bacteria,After compound,the first member naturalpolymers as well as rRNAsequence, ithad leavetypicallocalized adhering clusters degeneratedto of itsgenus found to doso. antibacterial com pou nds, ratherd ifferent n utritional Thesehad covered surroundedby cell debris, completely ResearchersinKorea butnone has shown requirements.Themost hours.The obtainedsimilar thecell surface after 6 scientists isolateditamong the antagonismto fungi before. interesti n g feature, however, theirbacterialstrains with samples resultswhen they used bacteriathat emerged f rom wasrts abilityto synthesize had removedf rom children, after Paenibacill us havelarge of realiniestine that been ricehusk and fisherywaste. anantifungal toxin. This andan ethical committee, rod-shapedcells that can theconsent of oarents Theyspreadthe diluted chemicalwas a smallcyclic sometimesswitch to growth wasteover laboratory media, peptidefrom the iturin Whenthey repeated theirexperiments with the strains withoutany need for oxygen, role intiminbecame withchitin as the sole source class,This means that thatlacked individual proteins, one of Likeall members of the MLP prod uction and of nutrition,The reason for Paen i b ac i | | u s koree n s i s, as obvious.ltwas essential to trigger f ami ly Bac i | | ace ae, the intimin,the M LP were few and shorl and thisrestricted dietwas that thenew isolate has now elongation,Without cellscan turn into survival layer.With it, chiiinis a majorpart of the beencalled, poisons fungi veryfewbacteria became attached to the cell structurescalled growto intimin-coatedlatex cellwallofmanyfungi. aswell as taking theircell MLPwouldeven envelop endosporesin adverse Anythingthatcould live on wallsapart, beads.This suggests that although Tir is one attachment environmentalcond itions. rtalone might also be able point,there must be at leastone other that is a normalpart of Thedistinguishrng feature Chung,Y.R.,Kim,C.H., proteinslike Tir EspBmay to destroyfungi,and the intestinalcells. Additionally, and of Paenibacil/usisthe size Hwang,I. & Chun,J.(2000). bacteriawere tested for berequired for MLP degeneration, since much larger, andsequence of one region P aenibaciI lus koreensis sp. nov., a were thisability. One isolate was new speciesthat produces an cage-likestructures appeared on cultured cells that of its1 65 rRNAmolecule. nslacki n g particularly im pressive at iturin-like antifungal incu bated with bacterial strai them. Whenthe researchers inhibitingfungal g rowth, compound. 1ztJ SystEuol Phillips,A.D., Girdn,J., Hicks, S., Dougan,G. &Frankel,G. checkedouttheir new strain, andit has turned outto be a Microbiol50, | 49r-1500. (2000). Intimin from enteropathoge nic Escberichiacoli mediates althoughit was def initely a Paenibacillus. Members of remodelling ofthe eukaryotic cell surface.Microbiology 146, member of PaenibacilI us,il 1333-r344.

ffitr$ffi,ffi#ffi$#tu€Fffiy roDAy voL27lAUG00 m lfyou would like llngredients aroundthe world, This collection plaque+elateddiseases, Thisis a lPrinciples of yourname to be UHandbook: ofover 40 articles includes veryuseful overview ofthe topic VUirology: Molecular Prebioticsand Probiotics previouslyunpublished data,as althoughit is to be hoped we shall Biology,Pathogenesis & addedto our Editedby G. Gibson &F. Angus wellas overviews ofseveral key nothave to wait quite as long for Gontrol databaseof book PublishedbyLeatherhead Food areas.The book, the fourth in the thenext instalment ofthis ByS.J. Flint, L,W. Enquist, reviewers,please ResearchAssociation (2000) seriesofmeetings, focuses ona fascinatingstory. R.M,Krug, V.R. Racaniello & completethe book LFRAMembers S85,00/ rangeof themesfrom adiversity lDonaldReid A,M,Skalka Non-membersS110.00, pp.206 ofbackgrounds, including paper TheRobertGordon PublishedbyASM Press (1999) reviewerinterests ISBN:0-9057-48-824 manufacturing,thefood industry University,Aberdeen US$89,95/$66.00,pp,800 formnow available andmedicine, The articles are laid ISBN:1-55581-127-2 onthe SG M WhileGM is currently harming outin a journalistic style so it is mostthe public perception of unlikelythat the book could be lmonograph of the Thisbook very successfully website, scienceinrelation tofood, the readfrom coverto cover. V0rytrichidae achievesitsaim in filling the gap upside is perhaps ourpotential However,it iswell indexed and, [EiI i oph ora, Hypotri chi al betweenbasic introductory texts abilityto exploit micro-organisms assuch, makes agood reference ByH, Berger andadvanced reviews. Unlike A classified 'natural'ways'improve' compendiumof in to the book.The bookwill beof PublishedbyKluwer Academic manyother virology texts, basic gutflora. Human preoccupation particularinterest topeople who Publishers(1999) celland molecular biology are bookreviews from withbowel health invites science arealready involved inbiofilm N1G880.00/ US$528.00/S308.00, describedindetail, allowing a 1996 to the andfaddism tomeet, and enlarge research,especially when pp,1,079 greaterunderstanding ofthe presentis also themarket for pre- and probiotics. combinedwith the contributions ISBN:0-i923-5795-7 waysinwhich viruses use and Thispublication shows how. fromthe previous three meetings, subvertthe biochemical pathways availableon the - EditorGlenn Gibson's helpful Jlonathan Pratten 0xytrichidaeaspecies-rich, ofthe host. The figures are clear website, introductionreminds the reader EastmanDental well-known,yethighly confusing andinformative, Inaddition - tothe that'pre'isnutrients,'pro' isbugs, lnstitute,London familyofciliates has always mainbody of text there are helpful Thenutrients, carbohydrates attractedtheinterest of insetboxes giving background degradableonlyby bacteria, get protozoologistsworking inthe informationanddetailed mostattention, Perhaps this l0entalPlaque fieldsof ecology, taxonomy and discussionofspecific topics. reflectsignorance, inlight of the UReuisited.0ral cellbiology. This upto-date Appendicesgiving concise details incrediblecomplexity ofthe gut Biofilmsin Healthand bookprovides comprehensive ofviral structures, replication flora,as to which ones are really Disease informationonboth historical cyclesand genome organization beneficial,The material comes in EditedbyH.N, Newman & andrecent research, including a andexpression areparticularly aring file, suggesting it might lie M.Wilson carefullydefined synonymy list useful.The book will be a valuable onthe factory worktop for ready PublishedbyBioline (1999) foreach species, discussion (and textfor students aswell as referenceshould one wish to stir ConferenceDelegates &Biofilm corrections)ofnomenclatural researcherswhoare new to a ina tonne ortwo of inulin or ClubMembers: S45.00 (UK)/ problems,detailed morphological particularfield.Thebook is lactulose.Inthat context I'm S50.00(Europe)/S55.00 (R0W) andtaxonomical descriptions detailedand yet very readable. ()thers: sureitwill be valuable. $65.00(UK)/$70.00 withalmost all published faunistic Thehigh price, however, islikely lCharlesPenn (Europe)/$75.00(R0W) records,aswell as tables torestrict purchase ofthis book to Universityof pp.599 providingcomplete morphometric institutions, Birmingham I ISBN:0-9520432-7-0 dataavailable, Asanother lChristopherRing conspicuousfeature, almost all GlaxoWellcomeR&D, Thelasttime such acollection ecological,physiological and Stevenage lBiofitms: ofpapers dealing with dental faunisticinformation oneach VThe Good,The Bad plaqueswaspublished occurred speciesscattered inthe literature andThe Ugly some30 years ago and so the inthe last 300 years is mentioned, lGarbohydrate EditedbyJ.Wimpenny, P,Gilbert, appearanceofthis volume is whichenables theuser to VBiotechnology J.Walker, M.Brading &R. Bayston certainlytobe welcomed, The determinespecies without Protocols.Methods in PublishedbyBioline forthe volumedeals with bacterial refeningback to the original Biotechnology,Uol. 10 BiofilmClub (1999) biofilms- areally useful literature.Thus, this book isnot EditedbyC. Bucke Members:$22.00 (UK only)/ collectionofup-to-date reviews onlya super field guide, but also a PublishedbyHumana Pres (1999) '0ral S23.00(Europe)/S25.00 (R0W) onthe topic ingeneral; must-getreference book both for U5$89,50,pp.337 Non-members:$32.00 (U K only)/ bacterialbiofilmsi anaccessible thenovice and experienced ISBN:0-89603-563-8 S33,00(Europe)/$35,00 (R0W) overviewofthe oral biofilm taxonomistsalike and should be pp.371 phenomenon;'Plaqueinhealth onthe shelves ofevery ciliatology Thisrelatively inexpensive volume ISBN:0-9520432-6-2 anddiseaselwhich tellsyou laboratory, representsarather eclectic mix of everythingyou hope will never go lWeiboSong topicsranging from microbial 'Medical Sincethe inaugural meeting in wrongwith your mouth; TheNaturalHistory polysaccharidestomaltodextrins only1993, the Biofilm Club has implicationsoforal biofilmsl with Museum,London andcyclodextrins, sugar nowbecome one of the primary aninteresting paper on halitosis nucleotidesandenzymic 'citation arenasfor researchers interested (perhapsafuture transglycosylation.ltbrings inthis important area of classic'useful for those awkward togetherandprovides more detail microbiology,bothin the UK and conversationsaboutoral onmethods which have appeared hygiene!); and concludes with an inthe literature overthe years. overviewofthe treatment of Accordingtothe Introduction it is aimedat newcomers tothe field, yetmany will find the layout and presentvolume means that some lDUn Recombinationessentiallyanoverview ofsepsis controlprogrammes and descriptionsdaunting and even ofthe material isout of date, lt Vand Repair. ingeneral and'Pneumonia, managementsystems, The aim of confusing.Each chapterfollows a maybe useful forthe sponsors of Frontiersin Molecular tuberculosisandurinary tract thebook isto review current similarformatbutthe result leads theprogramme tohave its output Biology,N0.22 infectionsofpregnancy'is as knowledgeandexperience and toa complex sequence of collected,butfor anyone who has Editedby P.J. Smith & C,Jones bizarreatitle as I couldfind in the packageit with a view to pollution headings,often refening to accesstoPlant and Soil,l can see PublishedbyOxford University series.Reviews are often but not management:itsucceeds and materialelsewhere, anda lack of noreason tospend afurther $69 Press(1999) exclusivelybiased toa US formsavery useful reference clarity,Greater editorial control onthis volume, $31.95,pp.224 perspective(e,9,'Managed health book. overthecontributions might have I,lanetSprent ISBN:0-19-963706-7 care:outcomes andupdates'), lRogerPickup achievedasimplerand more UniversityofDundee reflectingthe authorship, lnthis CEH-Windermere uniformstyle, improved diagrams Thisbook covers various aspects contextit is disappointing that, andremoved some ofthe ofDNA recombination inbacteria althoughareasonable account is grammaticalerrors such as 'is the I Post-translational andlower and higher eukaryotes given,aUS author has been lUeterinary Uirology, bacteria'andfactual enors such VProcessing: andwill appeal tomolecular chosentowrite achapter on UThird Edition asthe 'several million Daltons' A PracticalApproach biologistsworking inthis field. prions(a U K subject if ever there ByF.A. Murphy, E,PJ. Gibbs, massascribed toxanthan. N0.203 Ratherthandealing with basic wasone!), The book is well priced M,C,Horzinek& M.J.Studdert Thereare now several excellent EditedbyS,J, Higgins & mechanisms,thebook, published andworthy of a place on library PublishedbyAcademic Press 'cookbooks'coverin gthis general B.D.Hames in1999, has eight diverse shelvesaspart of the Current (1ses) areaand unfortunately there is no Publishedby0xford University chapters,each dealing with a CIi n ic a I To p ic s series. S56.95,pp,629 attempttocorrelate the methods Press(1999) specificarea of recombination in lMarkWilcox ISBN:0-1 2-511 340-4 withthose presented in $31,95,pp,352 somedetail, Asthe individual UniversityofLeeds GlycobiologyorMethods in ISBN:0-19-963795-4 chaptersare written by scientists Asone might expectfrom Ca rb o hy d rate C h e m istry, eIc, cunentlyresearching inthis area, authorsofthis calibre, this is an llan Sutherland lhePractical Approacf books are thereis a great deal of emphasis lAssessmentand impressivecompilation ofthe full Universityof Edinbu rg h wellknown fortheir descriptions onan experimental approach to VGontrolof Nonpoint rangeof cunent knowledge on ofmethodologies required to understandingthemechanisms SourcePollution of virusesand viral diseases of carryout specific assays and involved,Research datais AquaticEeosystems: veterinaryimportance, Iwas lMolecular proceduresina variety of fields. lt accompaniedbydiagrams (which A PracticalApproach. particularlyimpressed byPart l, V MicrobialEcology issometimes difficult to know the wouldhave benefited from Manand the Biosphere whichdeals with the principles of ofthe Soil. Deuelopments natureof the readership atwhich colour)to clarify the principles Series,Uol. 23 veterinaryvirology ina readable inPlant and Soil thesebooks are targeted, Inthis involved.Thisbookwould bea Editedby J.AThornton, W Rast, concisemanner without losing Sciences,Uol. 83 volumesome protocols are too goodcompanion forthe specialist M,M.Holland, G.Jolankai& anyof the latest scientific EditedbyG, Hardarson & generalized(e.9.for that on butwouldnot be as useful forthe S,-0.Ryding informationemanating from WJ,Broughton phosphorylationofproteins rh casualreader asthe individual PublishedbyThe Parthenon veterinaryand other virological PublishedbyKluwer Academic vitrooneistempted toask, which topicsare covered inconsiderable PublishingGroup (1999) research,Both this and Part || (leee) proteinsandwhich kinase?); depthand presuppose agood $52,00/US$89.00,pp.460 (presentedbyindividual virus 969,00/N1G195,00/ US$117,00, conversely,othermethods are workingknowledge of ISBN:1-85070-384-1 families)are well illustrated with pp.164 highlyspecialized andwill be of recombination,lfthis is your appropriateexamples from ISBN:0-7923-5252-1 interesttoonly afew readers. researcharea, it would be a useful Sometimesyoucan be put off by veterinaryand widerfields. The Thereare some omissions, e,g," additiontothe laboratory library. thetitleofa book, aslwaswith bookwill be of value tothe FA0/IEAEhavecarried out nomention ofthe use of lAnneGlover this,and lwasn'tfilled withthe veterinaryclinician orpathologist excellentwork training scientists phosphorimageranalysisfor UniversityofAberdeen wildestenthusiasm when asked whowants an approachable fromdeveloping countries. This quantificationoflabelled toread it,but lwas very much treatiseon virology, and equally to volumecovers work in soil phosphorylatedproteins, An mistaken,This book, part of the thevirology specialist who seeks microbialecology, with a strong otherwisethorough chapter on lGurrent Glinical UNESC0Man and the Biosphere insightsinto viruses and virus biastowards rhizobia nodulating proteindegradation in UTopics in Intectious series,provides avery diseasesbeyond his/her own Ph as eo Iu s vu Ig a ri s.Ihese mammaliancells has nothing on Diseases,Uol. I I comprehensivecoverage of specialism,ltwillbecome an accountfor 1 4 of the 18 papers proleolysisinapoptotic cells or EditedbyJ,S, Remington & nonpointsource ofpollution ofthe essentialreference work for andform auseful and thecaspase enzymes which M,N.Swartz aquaticenvironment, veterinaryvirologists and authoritativesummary ofrecent mediatethis, Nevertheless, this PublishedbyBlackwell Science Nonpointsources are defined as students,and should find a place work,However, thesame papers, bookis a valuable addition tothe (1see) areas,such as the catchments, or inallveterinary libraries and local plusone on rhizobia asplant- literatureand should find its way S59,50,pp.360 ona smaller scale, urban virologydepartmental collections, growth-promotingbacteria, were onto several laboratory benches, ISBN:0-632-04402-0 developmentsoreven fields lSteveEdwards publishedinPlantand Soilin lMikeClemens ratherthan pipes orchimneys, Veteri n a ry Laborato ri es 1998,So what is the point of this StGeorge'sHospital The19th book inan established fromwhich avariety of pollutants Agency,NewHaw, volume?There are introductory MedicalSchool,London seriesrepresents aneclectic enteraquatic ecosystems, Addlestone andconcluding papers, and one collectionofreviews byexpert Thebook describes types of onrepPCR fingerprinting of authors,Most chapters are well pollutioningreat detailand it is Azospirillum,butnoindex. writtenand helpful, inparticular wellreferenced, Thechapters 'Emerging Inevitably,thetime between the nosocomialinfections coverpollution measurement and originalpublication andthe andantimicrobial resistance' and monitoring,hydrological cycle 'Currentconcepts onanimal bitesi andwater quality, modelling, Sometitles are odd and less well focused,e.g.'Sepsis inobstetric andgynaecologic patients' is

sw$1i#:ffid$ffi&#tu#ffiYTODAY VOL27IAUG 00 lH llnduced Plant ofsome DNAviruses. Howeverthe understandthemain mechanisms title,this book covers allaspects reassortment. V DefensesAgainst contributionsarevery ofbacterial gene regulation and to ofcarbohyd rate-modifying Alsocovered arepathogenesis, Pathogensand comprehensive(giving atotal of appreciatetheir history, breadth enzymes,3Dstructures, immunologicalmethods, inrifra Herbiuores:Biochemistry, over'l200 references) anddo anddetail, read this book. mechanisms,domains (catalytic, studyof immunity, evaluation of Ecology,and Agriculture providethereaderwith a lMigelL.Brown binding,stability, etc.) vaccinesandmethods of Editedby A,A, Agrawal, S.Tuzun & fascinatinginsight into the Un ive rsityof Birm i ngh a m phylogenetic classif ications, site- typing/detection.Manyof the E,Bent molecularshenanigans ofviruses directedmutagenesis and techniquesdescribed, e.g.ELISA, PublishedbyThe American asdiverse ashepadna, papilloma enzymesfrom extreme immunostainingandRT-PCR, are PhytopathologicalSociety (1999) andcytomegalovirus. Tothe non- lPracticalstatistics environments. generallyapplicable toother US$55.00,pp,403 specialistitis particularly Vfor Experimental Thisbook isa multi-author virusesand the rotavirologist ISBN:0-89054-242-2 revealinghow much progress can Biologists.Second Edition publicationofthe papers orally mightpreferto read specific bemade without the facility of a ByA.C.Wardlaw presentedatthe 3rd researcharticles for details ofthe Thisbook provides aninterface permissivetissue culture system, PublishedbyJohn Wiley a Sons CarbohydrateBioengineering work.The book's focus on betweenthe molecularworld and Herpesviruses are well covered Limited(2000) meeting,April 1999, Assuch it rotaviruseswillattract only a very the'realworld' ofthe whole with4 chapters onHSV EBV and H/B$50.00; P/B S'18.99, pp,249 isan accurate and up-to-date limitedaudience. Nevertheless, I -98821-9; organisminthe environment. The KSVaswellasCMV.In allof these ISBN:H/ B 0-471 reflectionofthe research inthis thinkthis book at$89.50 is bookcompiles information ona chapters,and especially thetwo P/B0-471-98822-7 area.Some chapters are written reasonablevalue and an essential multitudeofpests, catalogues the onadenoviruses, theparallel asreviews, others as research referenceforany laboratory typesof response they elicit, and unravellingofcellularand host Thisbook assumes it'snot papers,Microbiologists mayfind undertakingrotavirus research, discusseshowthese responses regulatorymechanisms isa key worthteaching students the thecatalytic chemistry ofsome llanN.Clarke impacton plants' ability to survive feature.This book will be very mathematicalprinciples of chapterstechnically demanding, Southampton attackin the field, Finally, accounts usefulfor researchers whowant statisticaltests(verytrue in my butthroughout, thetext is well arepresented ofhowthese tobe wellinformed onboth experience)andthat the presentedandnumerous responsesmight be manipulated cellularand virus regulatory computerstats package MlN ITAB diagramsaidthe reader, Ittuman Uirology:A toimprove crop fitness. mechanismsassociated with isvery widely available (rather lwouldrecommend thisbook Utextforstudents of Asa molecular biologist infectionand latency, lessso). With humour and toanyone interested in medicine,dentistry and concernedwithplant defence lWillie Russell patience,thereader istaken carbohydrate-modifyingenzymes microbiology.Second responses,I found the book very Un ive rsity of St And rews throughthe use of M I NITAB to andtheir potential in Edition usefulinthe way in which these canyout the common statistical bioengineering,topostgraduate ByL. Collier& J.0xford respttnseswerecorrelated with analysesofmeasurement, count students,researchers andfor Publishedby0xford University performance,Thereare a few lProkaryotic Gene andproportion data, plus institutionalpurchase. This book Press(2000) thingswhich detract from the VExpression: correlationanddose+esponse, containsmuch of general interest S24,95,pp.224 volume'simpact, such as a Frontiersin Molecular withemphasis onpractical butis too technically written for ISBN:0-19-262820-8 seeminglyrandom orderforthe Biology,Uol. 2l assumptionsandlimitations ofthe thegeneral reader. chaptersineach section and EditedbyS, Baumberg tests.The package doesn't doall lMichael Stratford Thisbook is a revised and updated repetitionofsome information, Publishedby0xford University ofthe tests properly, leading to UnileverResearch, versionofthe edition published in Despitethis, the text was up-to- Press(1999) someawkwardness in Sharnbrook 1993and its contents reflect the dateand broad-ranging inits S32.95,pp,346 presentation,andno other stats expansioninour knowledge since coverage,andwould be a useful ISBN:0-19-963603-6 packageisusefully covered. then,ltserves asa very good pointof reference forstudents or However,theexamples and tests lFotauiruses: introductionforthose requiring a researchersinthe area of plant Thisbook covers the main arenearly allrelevant to UMethods and basicknowledge ofmedical defence, areasofits subjectfrom a microbiologistsandthe book Protocols.Methods in virology.The book covers both the lMikeRoberts researchperspective, with couldusefully be used as a self- MolecularMedieine, scientificand clinical aspects of UniversityofYork chapterswritten - sometimes learningstatistics application Uol.34 thesubject. The text is clear and elegantly- by experts inthe field. course,Even without MINITAB, EditedbyJ, Gray & concise,However, itis Itis a book that should beread there'salot that the uncertain U.Desselberger unfortunatethat the term 'grown' lDNAUirus andnot merely used for userof statistics can easily learn PublishedbyHumana Press (1999) appearsinthe bookwhere 'replicate'would UReplication. reference.Aproblem with books fromthe very readable approach, US$89,50,pp,288 befar more Frontiersin Molecular called'Frontiersrn. . .' is that lRonBishop ISBN:0-89603-736-3 accurate,Most of the figures are Biology,Uol. 26 frontiersmove in the time before UniversityofUlster clear.Those showing genome EditedbyA.J. Cann publication,This is no exception, Thishigh quality compendium organizationandexpression Publishedby0xford University andfor some chapters this time comprises12concise chapters, strategies,however, may well be Press(2000) hasbeen too long (from July 1995 lRecentAdvances eachpresented inthe same easy- confusingtothose new to S29.95,pp.232 inone case). The volume could Uin Carbohydrate to{ollowlayout. The protocols are molecularbiology and these ISBN:0-19-96371 2-1 havedone with more rigorous Bioengineering step-by-stepinstructions and figureswould benefit from a editing:achapter onDNA Editedby H.J. Gilbert, G,J, Davies, generallyup-to-date. Highlights greateruse of colour. Thetitle of this book israther topologywithout asingle B,Henrissat &B, Svensson area superbly illustrated review Unfortunately,thebook lacks misleadingsince it suggeststhat explanatorydiagram should not PublishedbyRoyal Society of ofrotavirus structure andthe referencestodirect readers to thecontents would be an bepermitted ina civilized society, Chemistry(1999) methodsused (cryo-EM and X- moredetailed texts, The purchase examinationofthe strategies andcomplex figures would have $09.50,pp,3'12 raycrystallography) ;a priceislikelyto make itvery whichDNAviruses adoptto benefitedfrom colour. ISBN:0-85404-774-3 descriptionoftwo assays ofvirus attractivetostudents, the target furthertheir replication, Rather, Theseare minor quibbles inan entry,mechanisms ofwhich are audienceforthis book. itturnsoutto be a mixed bag of excellentbookwhich willbe Thisisa book about enzymes, notfully characterized; andan JChristopherRing eightreviews covering specific compulsoryreading formy inparticular carbohydrate- excellentlysummary ofthe GlaxoWellcomeR&D aspectsofthe molecular biology graduatestudents. lf you want to modifyingenzymes, Despite the geneticanalysis ofrotavirus by lE effi*#sry#ffi e#tu#ffiilarODAYVOL27 / AUGC0 DDltelephonenumbers emailaddresses +44(q118988+ *@sgm.ac.uk admin MainSwitchboard 1800 . MainFax 5656

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PROTEINIECHNIQUTS _ 4OTHICAAC FRONTIERSOICELTULAR ATWO DAY LABORAIORY COURSE Toronto,Canada I\/ICROBIOLOGYANDCELL BIOLOGY: SOCIrTyrO n LOW TE[i PFRATU RE Hatfield,Herts 17-20September 2000 EUROCONFERENCEONSIGNALING BIOLOGYANNUAL SCIENIIFIC [/EETING 4-5or11-12 September 2000 ANDCYTOSKELTTON PTASTICITY TI[/ E TRAVEL FORG EN ES (O RGAN IIED C0NTACT: AS[,/l[/eetings Depanmenr C0NTACT:ProfJohnWalker Deptof 1/52NStreet NW, Washinqton DC Giens,Toulon, France JOINTLYWITHUK FEDFRATION OF g+ZSZ+A, 7-120ctober 2000 CULTURFCOLLECIIONS) BiosciencesUniversity ofHerfiordshire 20036USA(Tel +1202 CollegeLane |-Iatfield Herts ALl0 9AB Fax+1202942 9340; http://www C0NTACI:DrJ Hendekovic European Ambleside,Cumbria (Tel01/0/ 284546; Fax01/07 284510; asmusaorg/mtgsrc/mtgs htm) quai -2 ScienceFoundation 1 Lezay- 1 September2000 emarljmwalkerloherls acuk: [/arnesia67080 Strasbourg Cedex, http://www.herts acuk/natsci/STC) ruTTR[]RIIO[]RLCONTERENCI ON +33 C0NTACT:DrGlyn Stacey NIBSC IVlEASU REMENT, ANALYSIS AND France(Tel3BB /6 /1 35; Fax +33 BlancheLane, South [iimms Herts ENO SIXIHTUROPFAN WORKSHOP ON CONIROLINBIOPROCESS 3BB36 69 B/: enarl euresco@esf org: 3QG(emailg$acey@nibsc acuk) VIRUSEVOLUTION AND[/OLECULAR TTCHNOLOG JES: CU RRENI STATUS http://www esforg/eu resco) Itturroglilffi20005TH TPIDE[iIOLOGY ANDFUTURE PROSPECIS CF|RRRCTTRISRTIONOIPLANT INTERNATIONALSYMPOSIU[/ON THE Leuven,Belgium RobinsonCollege, Cambridge PATHOGENICBACTERIA BIO LOGY OFAT IN IIO B ACIER 4-9Septemher 2000 24-26September 2000 CABIBioscience UKCentre, Noordwijkerhout,The C0NIACT:Anne-[/lieke Vandamme C0NTACT:Societyof Chemical Indu$ry Egham,9-20 0ctober 2000 Netherlands RegaInstitule andUnrversrly Hospitals 14115Belgrave Square London SW1X C0NTACT;MrsStephanie Groundwater 3-6September 2000 AlDS Reference Laboratory BPS(Tel 020 7598 1500; Fax 020 (asabove) Minderbroedersstraat10-12 8-3000 7235 11 43,e mai Ijacq uim @ che min d : C0NTACT:DrL Dijkshoorn Deptof (Tel [/edical[/icrobiology Leiden University LeuvenBelgium +32 16 332180; demonco.uk; http :i/sci mond org) Fax+32 16 332131; emailannemie [iedical CenterL4 P2300 RC Leiden INIERNAiONAL CONFIRENCE ON TheNaherlands(Tel+31/1 5263931; [email protected]; http://www kuleuven BACTTRIALANDVIRAL VJRULTNCE [/ETALS&CELLSSEBAGM Fax+31 71 5248148; email acbe/aidslab/ FACTORS(ICBVVF) dijkshoorn@rullf2medfac leidenuniv nl) vemehtm) Canterbury,2-6April 2001 SmoleniceCastle, rxtnrNop|-|tLtszcoc HIUCLTICACIDTECHNIQUFS _ C0NTACT:DrPamela Robinson (email ATHREE.DAY LABORATORY COURSE nearBratislava, Slovakia pamela 3RDINTERNATIONAL CONGRESSON 24-28September 2000 robinson@nclacuk; EXTREMOPHILES Hatfield,Herts http://www ncl ac uk/sbg/robinson/ 6-8or 13-1 5September 2000 C0NTACT:emailuzaelabu@savba sk; metalcellhtmi) Hamburg,Germany http://nic savba sk/sav/in$/uzae/l CB 3-7Septemher 2000 C0NTACT:DrVirginia Bugeja (asabove) VVFSrteiintro 01html tn,tnftvt n'lfrnn C0NTACT:TUHH-Technologie GmbH IiVIULIVI U 'UULJ, MsGerlinde Loebkens Schellerdamm 5THINTERNATIONAL I\iEETING ON rammrnHtRrnrunL coNenrss tr 4,21019 Hamburg Germany (Tel,+49 BACTERIALEPIDEIV IOLOGICA HUMANGENETICS 407661801 2;Fax +49 40 76618018; [/ARKERS [email protected]; Vienna,Austria, 15-19 May 2001 http://extremophiles2000 de Noordwijkerhout, TheNetherlands C0NTACT:ICHG0ffice c/o Vienna gt0ircF|NoLtey2000rHE w0RLD 6-9September 2000 [iedical Academy Alser Strasse 4 CONGRFSSONBIOTECHNOLOGY A-1090Vienna Au$ria(Tel +431 405 C0NTACT: [/eeting Secretariat Recife,Brazil 11TH INTTRNATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 1-4 0ctoher 2000 1383 33; Fax +43 1 4018214, SYMPOSIUMANDEXHIBITION WITH CongressCareMuntelbolwerk 1 5201 emailoffice@ichg2001 org) AK's-HertogenboschTheNetherlands C0NTACT:Professor JoseLuiz de 4THCONGRESS ON[/lOLECULAR (Iel MEDICINE,2l\]DEUROPEAN CONGRESS +31736831238;Fax+31 73690 LimaFilho BI0TFC 2000 Secretariat ONAPPLIED GENOME RESEARCH 1ST 1 417; email info@congresscare com) Universidade Federalde Pernambuco l.;i,..i,,: EUROPEANCONGRESS ONAGRI ISOLATIONANDIDENTIFICATIO|\l OF Av ProfessorMoraes Rego,S/NCidade UniversitariaCEP50761 901 Recife ZHIIIMNPTNN CTLLS &I/AIERIALS BIOIECHNOLOGYAND1BTH DECHEMA FUNGIFROM NATURAL HABITATS [/EETI NG ANNUAL[/EETINS ONBIOTECHI\]OLOGY PernambucoBrazil(Tel +55B1 CABIBioscience UKCentre, 211B4B4,Fax+5581 2718485; Davos,Switzerland Berlin,Germany Egham,11-15 Septemher 2000 emailbiotec2000@lika ufpe.br; 25-28June 2001 3-8September 2000 http:/iwwwlikaufpe br/B|0TEC2000) C0NTACT:MrsStephanie Groundwater C0NTACT:Conference Secretary: Sonia C0NTACT:DECHEMA eV. Congress CABIBioscience UKCentre, Barenam TRANSMISSIBLE SPON GIFORIV Wahl(email sonia wahl@ao-asif ch; 0fficeP0.B 1501 04,60061 Frankfurt LaneEgham, Surrey TW20 9TY (tel ENCEPHALOPATH IES http://www ao-asif ch/events/other/ amMain Germany(Fax +4969 /564 01784470111; Fax 01491 829100; ecm/indexhtml) 1/6;email biotechnology2000@ [email protected]; http:// Alexandria, Virginia, USA dechemade;http://dechema de/ wwwcabi org/bioscience/trainin ghtm) 2-3 0ctober 2000 biotechnolo9y2000htm) UHIITNS.l-NruIIHIGTHEUSE OF I\iASS C0NTACT:Cambridge Healthtech MlcruslofoeyTTcHNtQUFS - SPECTRO[/TTRYINPROTEOMICS _ In$itute 1037 Che$nut Street Newton UpperFalls, MA 02464 USA (Iel +1 ESCV01PROGRESS INCLINICAL ATWO DAY LABORATORY COURSE AONE DAY LICTURE WORKSHOP VIROLOGYVII COURSEINCONJUNCTION WITH 617630 1300, Fax +1 617 630 1325; Hatfield,Herts http://www.healthtech com) [ahti,Finland 4-5September 2000 PROTEINWORKS gIOC0NTAI\,IINNNTSAN DB IOLOG ICAL 2-5September 2001 C0NTACT:DrVirginia Bugeja Dept of Hatfield,Herts 20September 2000 PRODUCTIONISSUES C0NTACT:0rganizing Secretariat & BiosciencesUniversity ofHerffordshire Congress0ffice University ofHelsinki CollegeLane, Hatfield Herts ALl 0 9AB C0NTACT:[/rsVera Jones, Science Alexandria,Virginia, USA 3-40ctober 2000 LahtiResearch andTraining Centre (Tel01107 284590; Fax01707 TrainingCentre Univ ofHertfordshire Kirkkokatu16FIN 15140 Lahti Finland 286137;emailvbugeja@herts acuk; CollegeLane Hatfield Herts AL10 9AB C0NTACT:Cambridge Healthtech (Tel+358 3892 20514; Fax +358 3 http://www herts ac.uk/natsci/STC) (Tel01707 284590; Fax01707 In$itute(asabove) 89220219t email irmeli paasikivi@ 286137;emailvg.jones@ hertsac uk; helsinkifj;antti vaheri@helsinki fi; hftp://wwwhertsac uk i natsci/STC) virpitiilikainen@helsinki fi) Gomment

Grossingthe Grcat Divide: the aciademial tndustry i nterface

Ten yearsago I left behind a tenured lectureship easy,and requires real effort. So what are the ingredients and a well-funded researchprogramme at Cambridge for a successfulpartnership? University and joined a fledgling biotechnology company From the outset the twoparties must understand and operating from aglorified garagenext to Cambridge respect each other's needs.From the industrialviewpoint, airport with enough in the bank to pay me for 6 months at it helps grearly if the academic is able to comprehend and most. I'm relieved to say that things worked out. Cantab accept the constraints that apply in industry, the need to has prospered, with nearly 150 staff, partnerships with deliver investorvalue, protect intellectual property and major pharmaceutical companies and severalvaccine confidentiality, stick to an agreed work plan and provide products in clinical trials. proper documentation for future use. Suspicion of the It has been anamazingadventure and a remarkable profit motive is not helpful, since it is fundamental to learning experience.The major change for me was the businessoperations. On the other hand the industrial need to focus single-mindedly on adding tangible value partner needsto understand that academic drivers are for our investors. Like most not-yet profitable biotech different, requiring freedom of action and communicarion, companies, we spend other people's money with the timely publication ofresults and understanding ofthe promise ofa generous future financial return and we must peculiar careersituations ofresearcherson short-term do our best to deliver. This is avety different goal from contracts. These needsoccasionally conflict, but with academic researchaimed at advancing knowledge. Yet for good will on both sides,a satisfacwy compromise can companies like mine, maintaining a close relationship usually be found. with the academic community is ofgreat importance. Second, eachparty must care about and value the work The value comes in many forms. No matter how bright that the other is doing. Relationships simply basedon or large your own team, it is frankly naive to think you transfer of cashwill not work nearly aswell asthose where canaffordto ignore the vast repository ofknowledge and there is genuine interest in the work being done and respect experience in the academic community. Some ofCantab's for the ability ofthose involved. Commonly, a collaboration product ideaswere home-grown, but most came from may be established with every good intention, but elsewhere.\We also benefit from academic expertise to priorities change along the way for one of the partners and provide important information relevant to ourprojects unless both sidesagree to a changed programme, and to review our work independently. frustration can result. At the outset, therefore, each side has to commit to a programme ofwork recognizing that I firmly believe, however, that it is a two-way street. it may not necessarilysuit them down the line. That said, Academic groups can benefit greatly from relationships it is generally saferto avoid situations where one party is with industry, and not just through cash,though this is entirely dependent on the other to make progress. important. Researcherscan seetheir ideas turned into real products of benefit to the community and can learn about Finally, communication is absolutely crucial. At the very how industry works, which may prove valuable for them least this means regular informal meetings betweenall and for their institutions in future. Although the parties, but time spent in eachother's laboratories, regular commercializationofscience is not the job of the academic email contact and occasionalsocial events all help greatly. researchcommunity, all academicsshould encourage the \Wehave found it beneficial to invite our collaborators to application oftheir ideas and advancesfor ends useful to join us for project reviews, not only to hear about progress, society. The whole justification for medical researchis but also to learn about technical and commercial problems to improve human health and in practice this can't be encountered, and contribute to finding solutions. done effectivelywithout industry. The interface between This hasproved an excellent way to provide mutual academiaand industry is therefore ofcrucial importance. encoufagement and createa real feeling ofco-operation.

This interface is often represented asa kind of barrier \7ith theseelements in place, the chancesare that a which requires special measuresto circumvent. In reality productive partnership will be built and sustained. it simply boils down topersonal interactions between Successwill lead to further and wider interactions, and academic and industrial scientists like you and me. will encourage others to participate. Multiply one O Pleasenote that \Thether or not they work depends on individuals, successfulcollaboration by a hundred or a thousand and viewsexpressed in not on the actions oftechnology transfer organizations, you have a recipe for successon a national and Commentdonot or on government initiatives. In my experience these i nternational scale. necessarilyreflect interactions can be extremely effective, and I like to O Dr Stephen lnglis is Research Director at officialpolicy of the think that this view is shared by our academic partners. Ca nta b Ph a rm a ceutica ls, 3 | O Ca m brid ge Scie n ce SGMCouncil. However, building good relationships isn't necessarily Pa rk, M ilton Road, Ca m b ridg e C 84 0WG.