microbiologytoday

microbiology today vol36|aug09 quarterly magazine of the society for general

microbiology vol 36 | aug 09

microbes in sport

community-acquired mrsa in sport

herpes gladiatorum – scrumpox

improving sports turf with microbes

swine ’flu update contents

vol36(3) regular features 122 News 164 Going Public 132 Microshorts 169 Addresses 150 Conferences 170 Hot off the Press 152 Schoolzone 173 Reviews 160 Gradline other items 159 Diphtheria and a death mask – Peter Wildy’s Story Michael Carlile

articles 134 Can I catch MRSA 144 Can microbes be used from playing sport? to produce ‘greener’ Jodi Lindsay sports turf? MRSA is a big problem in health care settings, but what Alan Gange threat does it pose in the community? Soil microbes are a different kind of player on the sports field.

138 Herpes Gladiatorum: a combative virus 176 Comment: Sw-H1N1-ng on disease about ’flu again Julia Colston & Judy Breuer Wendy Barclay Players of contact sports can sometimes end up How ready is the world to cope with the new swine ’flu with an unexpected virus after the game. ?

Cover image Rugby scrum. Bob Thomas / Getty Images The views expressed

Editor Dr Matt Hutchings––Editorial Board Dr Sue Assinder, Dr Paul Hoskisson, Professor Mark Harris Managing Editor Janet Hurst by contributors are not Editorial Assistant Yvonne Taylor––Design & Production Ian Atherton––Contributions are always welcome and should be addressed to the Editor c/o SGM HQ, Marlborough House, necessarily those of the Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Reading RG7 1AG–Tel. 0118 988 1809–Fax 0118 988 5656–email [email protected]–web www.sgm.ac.uk Society; nor can the Advertising David Lancaster, Ten Alps Publishing, Office, 10 Savoy Street, London WC2E 7HR–t 0207 878 2316–f 0207 379 7118–e [email protected] Regular feature images pp. 123 SGM; 151, 153, 173 Comstock / Jupiter Images; 161, 171 Stockbyte; 165, AbleStock; 169 Digital Vision / Getty claims of advertisers © 2009 The Society for General Microbiology––ISSN 1464-0570––Printed by Latimer Trend & Company Ltd, Plymouth, UK be guaranteed. news

Sir Howard Dalton Prize Free access to SGM Council and Fellowship H1N1 May meeting highlights Sir Howard Dalton, who was SGM President virus papers Within the next year an Advisory Council of 12 members 1997–2000 and who sadly died unexpectedly in Honorary membership Because of current public health will be formed. 2008, made a bequest of £2,000 to the Society. interest in swine influenza, SGM Council decided unanimously to support the President’s After careful deliberations, Council decided has made all papers on H1N1 nomination of Dr Julian Davies, Professor Emeritus of SGM finances that it would like use the money to support influenza viruses published in JGV Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Council accepted the 2008 Annual Accounts and attendance at an SGM meeting by a microbiology and JMM freely available online. Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, for Honorary Membership. authorized the Treasurer to sign the Letter of Representation student from The Gambia, where Sir Howard and Under normal circumstances, papers His scientific work focuses on all aspects of microbial to the auditors. They also noted that the commercial sales his wife Lady Kira were involved in educational published in these journals are ecology and he is a keen supporter of SGM; in the past tiered pricing project was underway. The general economic activities. Lady Kira was delighted to accede to under access controls for 12 months few months alone having written not only an article for recession has not left SGM untouched. However, at present this suggestion and the scheme will be put in after publication. See http://vir. Microbiology Today, but also been a keynote speaker at the its finances are stable. place. Council also decided to rename the Young sgmjournals.org/misc/news_060509 Harrogate conference. Microbiologist of the Year Competition, which Education activities fosters science communication in early career SGM Prizes The Education Officer Sue Assinder reported that in 2009 microbiologists, in honour of Sir Howard. Council members were requested to send nominations for SGM staff will continue to participate in the joint Science the 2010 SGM Prize Medal to the General Secretary in May, Swine ’flu talk at Careers stand with other bioscience organizations at the in readiness for the discussion at the July 2009 Council autumn conference Higher Education Conventions aimed at 6th-formers meeting when a decision will be made. Fred Griffith Prize Wendy Barclay, Professor of Influenza making university choices. She showed Council two new at , SGM meetings publications. Microbiologists make a difference, a stylish and Lecture will be giving delegates at the interesting guide to careers in microbiology for the 16 year- Council heard that the Spring 2009 meeting in Harrogate Professor Jeff Errington will deliver SGM conference in Edinburgh all old, describes 9 job profiles by young microbiologists and was a great success with good attendance at the scientific his prize lecture entitled From spores to the latest news and research findings contains advice on training routes and career opportunities sessions and particularly the prize lectures. This was the first antibiotics via the cell cycle, on Tuesday, on swine ‘flu. As Microbiology Today in microbiology. The good, the bad and the ugly – microbes, conference under the new system, which was considered to 8 September at the Society’s meeting went to press, the World Health a colourful 68-page book for key stage 3 and 4 pupils which have worked well. The arrangements will be reviewed by at Edinburgh Conference Centre, Organization declared the current includes a CD on microbiology, has been sent to all school the new Scientific Meetings Officer, Chris J. Hewitt, in Heriot-Watt University. The Fred outbreak an official pandemic. Wendy members of the SGM (now over 500!), and a marketing 2010. Griffith Prize is awarded in recognition has been in much demand by the campaign aimed at all UK and Ireland secondary schools is of long and distinguished service in media to provide information about European Society for Virology (ESV) underway. any area of microbiology. the virus and the infection it causes, The President attended the First General Assembly of Dual use of micro-organisms appearing on television as well as Jeff did a BSc in Genetics and the new ESV which took place in Rome on 24 April 2009. being interviewed on radio and by the Zoology at Newcastle University He reported that the ESV sees itself as the equivalent in In the light of the Parliamentary Office of Science and press. Her talk takes place at noon on (1977) and then a PhD in microbial Europe of the American Society for Virology (ASV). It Technology (POST) canvassing opinion on this issue from Wednesday 9 September. genetics at what is now the University will be responsible for organizing the triennial European some of the SGM Editors-in-Chief for one of their ‘POST of Greenwich. In 1981 he made a Wendy has also agreed to participate Congress of Virology. The next (4th) congress will take place Notes’, Council had a general discussion. In conclusion, career-defining move to Oxford to work with Prof Joel Mandelstam on in an event for the general public in Cernobbia, Lago di Como, Italy, in April 2010. Council it saw no cogent reason to change the Policy on Scientific spore formation in Bacillus subtilis. Captivated by the power of B. subtilis as during the Heriot-Watt meeting, under agreed that SGM should support the new society and Publication, Security and Censorship that they had agreed an experimental organism, he has continued to work on fundamental aspects the banner ’Flu and You: catch it, become a corporate member. Robin Weiss was elected the on 2 May 2003 (see www.sgm.ac.uk/pubs/policy.cfm). of its cell and molecular biology ever since. In 2006 he moved his lab to bin it, kill it. She will give a talk that Chair of the European Virology Award (EVA) Committee. Ulrich Desselberger, General Secretary Newcastle to take over as Director of the Institute for Cell and Molecular covers seasonal ’flu as well as swine Biosciences and realize a dream of building a research centre focused on ’flu and provide information on ’flu fundamental studies of model – the Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology – . The talk will be followed New member of Council which will be housed in a brand new building in 2010. Jeff has published nearly by an interactive demonstration on AGM 2009 150 full research papers, many in high ranking journals including Cell, Science hand hygiene by SGM staff using their Dr Karen Robinson, Associate Professor, Centre for The AGM of the Society will be held on Tuesday, 8 and Nature. His contributions have been honoured by election to Fellowship of exciting glowing gel to show how Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, has September 2009 at the Society Meeting at Edinburgh the Royal Society, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the American Academy of viruses are transmitted by touch. The been elected unopposed to serve on Council for a Conference Centre, Heriot-Watt University. Agenda papers, Microbiology and EMBO. Jeff embraces the idea that basic science can provide event will take place after the end period of 4 years from 8 September 2009. A profile of including reports from Officers and Group Conveners and opportunities for drug discovery and founded Prolysis Ltd, which now has several of scientific sessions on Tuesday 8 Dr Robinson will appear in a future issue of Microbiology the Accounts of the Society for 2008 are circulated with novel antibiotics in the development pipeline. September. Today. this issue of Microbiology Today.

122 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 123 New Officers Education & Public Affairs Officer – Professor Joanna Verran The transition process to the newly restructured Council begins with the AGM and the Jo is Professor of Microbiology in the School of Biology, Chemistry and Health Science at following will take over as officers of the Society from 8 September 2009. Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research has focused on interactions between micro-organisms and inert surfaces, with current interests diverging across dentures and President – Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott General Secretary – Dr David Blackbourn hygienic food contact surfaces! She has formed a strong interdisciplinary collaboration I have been a member of My PhD was in Microbial Genetics with Colin Harwood with surface engineers and polymer technologists, and the research was submitted within SGM since 1984 and have at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. I then turned the Metallurgy and Materials UoA. She is Director of the Graduate School in the Faculty been an Elected Officer, to virology as a postdoc in the US, working first on SIV of Science and Engineering, and also maintains a significant undergraduate teaching Group Convener, Council before joining Jay Levy’s HIV lab in San Francisco. Here, my commitment, incorporating several novel learning activities into the curriculum, which Member and Meetings interest in viruses and cancer flourished, in part through she disseminates at conferences, through her website, and via publications. She has been Officer at various times since the study of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), the most common involved in outreach activities with schools, teachers, the general public and the media. then. I am currently President malignancy of untreated AIDS patients. I established my Jo has been a member of the Education/Education & Training Group Committees for some of the International Society own group at the Institute of Virology, Glasgow in 1999 and time, being Chair for the past 5 years – plus one for good behaviour to help the transition for Microbial Ecology and a moved to my present position as Reader in the School of from Group to Division! She has worked closely with Marlborough House helping to promote and develop microbiology member of the International Cancer Sciences, University education, particularly for undergraduates. Education links with other microbiology societies are being developed through Board of the American of Birmingham in 2005. My FEMS, and relationships with ASM via their Board of Education and Training, and ASMCUE (Conference on Undergraduate Society for Microbiology. group’s interests include Education) are healthy. She looks forward to developing many of these initiatives further on Council. My day job, until recently, viral immune modulation was Professor of Environmental Microbiology at the and pathogenesis, which we Scientific Meetings Deputy University of Exeter. I am now Pro-Vice Chancellor study through KSHV, the (Research and Enterprise) at Bangor University. causal agent of KS. Officer – Professor Scientific Meetings Chris J. Hewitt Officer – These roles have provided insights into how learned I have served on the SGM Chris graduated with Evelyn Doyle societies are responding to the exciting developments Virus Group, have been an a first class honours in microbiology and meeting the professional needs of Elected Member of Council Evelyn is a Senior Lecturer degree in Biology from their members. The SGM has to meet various challenges: serving on the Treasurer’s in the School of Biology Royal Holloway College, microbiologists have to take into account the economic Committee since 2007, and and Environmental University of London in impact factors of their research as never before; there is Editor of SGM’s Journal of Science in University 1990. He then went on concern that ‘blue skies’ research may thus be put under General Virology since 2008. College Dublin. She to the Department of pressure; young researchers need encouragement for the began her career with a I look forward to working with Council, the new Chemical Engineering at future development of microbiology and learned societies BSc in Microbiology in President, Hilary Lappin-Scott, and the team at Marlborough Birmingham to study for have to survive in very difficult economic circumstances. the National University of House in my capacity as General Secretary. One of the his PhD in Industrial Microbiology where he worked on the Ireland, Galway and then came to UCD as a PhD student I am positive that the SGM is well placed to respond to challenges during my tenure will include helping to synthesis of a-amylase by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Chris working on high-maltose-producing amylases under the these pressures and develop new initiatives to promote ensure that equally diligent and talented people succeed stayed there for a further 13 years, as Lecturer then Senior supervision of Professors Liam Fogarty and Renee Kelly. the art and science of microbiology. I am honoured to be key members of the Marlborough House staff who have Lecturer, developing his research work at the life science/ After 4 years working as an industry-funded postdoc on elected President and look forward to working with Council ensured the seamless running of SGM and its conferences engineering interface, and studying the interaction of the the application of microbial carbohydrases , Evelyn joined and professional staff to meet these challenges. for many years. organism with the process engineering environment using the staff of the Department of Industrial Microbiology in such non-invasive techniques as flow cytometry, image UCD in 1990. She was Head of Department from 2002 Publications Officer – Professor Howard Jenkinson analysis and NIR spectroscopy. These techniques were used to 2005. Howard Jenkinson is Professor of Oral Microbiology at the University of Bristol and to improve understanding of how cells behave within such The main focus of Evelyn’s research is microbial is pleased to be taking up the new position of Publications Officer. He graduated diverse areas as microbial fermentation, bioremediation degradation of xenobiotics and bioremediation, with from Warwick University in Microbiology and Virology, completed his PhD in Applied and biotransformation for informed process development particular interest in linking specific microbial populations at the University of Nottingham, and worked as a postdoc in Oxford on the and subsequent scale-up. In October 2006, Chris moved to biodegradation in natural ecosystems. biochemistry and genetics of Bacillus subtilis sporulation. He then spent nearly 14 years to Loughborough University to take up a new chair in at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, before returning to the UK in 1997. Pharmaceutical Engineering and is now busy establishing Evelyn has been a member of the SGM since 1983 and Howard’s research interests lie primarily in studies of the molecular basis of Streptococcus Loughborough’s Centre for Biological Engineering, of which served on the Irish Branch committee from 1990 to colonization and virulence. He also works on adherence and colonization factors of Candida he is co-founder. Whilst his research is centred around 1994 and again in 1997 to 2000. During her time on the albicans and Treponema spp. Howard was SGM Meetings Officer 2000–2004. He sees this regenerative medicine bioprocessing, he is still an active committee she was involved in organizing a number of new job as an opportunity to help strengthen the position of SGM publications in the microbiologist and hopes through the role of Scientific symposia. She was Chair of the Irish Division on the SGM market, especially the electronic arena, and to develop a future strategy that will increase Meetings Officer to deliver exciting, ‘cutting edge’ from 2006 to 2009 and is looking forward to the challenge our competitiveness and elevate our profile in publications. programmes that meet the expectations of all members. of Deputy Scientific Meetings Officer.

124 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 125 New Division Chairs Prokaryotic Microbiology Following the restructuring of SGM meetings organization that started in 2007, the first chairs of the five divisions have Division reached the end of their terms of office. The chairs-elect who have been helping to introduce the new system will now take Dr Ian Henderson over the helm of their respective divisions. I graduated in Industrial Microbiology from University College Dublin. After a brief period working for Wellcome I pursued my Education and Training PhD studies at Trinity College Dublin. Division I performed my postdoctoral studies at the Center for Development, University Dr Sue Assinder of Maryland before becoming a lecturer Sue Assinder began her career with a at Queens University Belfast. Currently, I degree in Biological Sciences at Lancaster am a Senior Lecturer at the University of University. The highlight of this was her Birmingham where my group studies outer final year project in which she made membrane biogenesis, secretion her first contact with fungal genetics, an and . area in which she continued for her PhD I am looking forward to the next 2 years as Chair of the Prokaryotic Division as research. After postdoctoral positions at Irish Division we strive to build upon the success of the new meetings organization. I hope with Dalhousie University and the University Dr John McGrath my colleagues within the Prokaryotic Division to deliver a dynamic, robust and of St Andrews, she joined the School of I am a Senior Lecturer in the community-driven series of symposia. Biological Sciences at Bangor University School of Biological Sciences Furthermore, I will strive to adopt best practice from strategies previously utilized in 1986 as a postdoctoral fellow and at the Queen’s University by the Virology Division such that we deliver opportunities for younger members remained there for 21 years, the final Belfast. of the Society to present their work, thereby gaining exposure for themselves and 3 years as Head of School. In 2006, she was appointed as Eukaryotic Microbiology their research. Director of the newly formed Academic Development Unit Division I did my BSc in Molecular in the School of Education, where she had responsibility Biology at Queen’s before Professor Neil Gow FRSE FIBiol FAAM for delivering professional development in teaching and completing my PhD within the Virus Division learning for academic staff, and skills training for early I am a former British Mycological Society President, Queen’s University Science and career researchers. current Vice-President of ISHAM, former Editor of Technology Research (QUESTOR) Professor Mark Harris In 2008, she moved to the Liverpool School of Tropical Microbiology and current Editor-in-Chief of Fungal Centre. This focused on the Mark graduated with a first class honours Medicine as the first Director of Education and now Genetics and Biology. biodegradation of a group of degree in Biological Sciences from Plymouth runs a complex teaching effort that delivers postgraduate environmental pollutants known Polytechnic in 1983 and then undertook his My own research is focused on the growth, programmes not only in Liverpool but also in many as the organophosphonates, PhD at the Institute of Virology in Glasgow, morphogenesis and pathogenesis of the human fungal countries around the world, particularly Africa and the under the supervision of John working with Ron Hay on adenovirus DNA pathogen Candida albicans and other medically important Middle-East. Quinn, with whom I continue replication. After a postdoc at the NERC fungal species. In recent years my group has focused to enjoy a close working Institute of Virology in Oxford working on Outside of conventional teaching, Sue has for many years mainly on the genetics of glycosylation and the fungus– relationship. baculoviruses with Bob Possee, he moved pursued an interest in promoting public engagement with host interaction, and on chitin synthesis and hyphal back to Glasgow to the Department of science, producing resources for schools and participating orientation responses. My current research involves Veterinary Pathology, switched from DNA to in numerous science festivals and other public events. investigating microbial phosphorus RNA viruses, and began working on the Nef She has just completed a 6-year term as SGM Education Eukaryotic biology has always been supported by the cycling in the marine, freshwater protein of HIV-1 in the lab of Jim Neil. Officer and chairs the Education Committee of the SGM, and with the new division structure, we will and terrestrial environments. Biosciences Federation. Sue is delighted to be continuing put even more resources into this. My hope is that the This has important implications After 5 years as a postdoc he obtained an her association with the SGM as Chair of the Education and Eukaryotic Division will be able (with your help) to for environmental protection, MRC Senior AIDS Research Fellowship and subsequently moved to Leeds in 1997, Training Division and aims to deliver an exciting and diverse capture the most exciting and topical developments resource management and taking up a Lectureship post in what was then the Department of Microbiology. programme that will be attractive both to members whose in the field and will provide a home for those of you climate change. Whilst retaining an interest in HIV, Mark’s lab has moved over almost entirely to the who are invested in fungi, protozoans, algae and professional roles focus on teaching and also to those I have been a member of the study of hepatitis C virus. His research is focused both the molecular mechanisms of other protists. whose primary interests are in research. Society for General Microbiology virus replication as well as virus–host protein interactions. Sue is married with three grown-up children, who bring We have been guaranteed the resources to make a since 1992 and have served on the He has always been a strong supporter of the Society and is currently a member of her much pleasure and have even proved to have their difference and I hope that you will be active in sending Irish Branch committee (twice) and SGM Council and an Editor of the Journal of General Virology. As incoming Chair of uses on occasion as guinea pigs for her educational your ideas to the team of people who will be helping to the Environmental Microbiology the Virus Division, Mark welcomes the opportunity to make a further contribution activities. make the SGM even more eukaryotic in the future. Committee. by helping to organize programmes of meetings.

126 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 127 People CaSE Classifying microbes – Congratulations to: The Campaign for Science new poster Professor Martin Buck, Imperial College London on his election to Fellowship of the Royal & Engineering (CaSE) is A new and huge poster showing examples of Society. the leading advocate for the main groups of micro-organisms in glorious science and engineering colour is now available from the External Dr Julian Parkhill, Head of Sequencing and Pathogen Genomics, Sanger in the UK. The strength of Relations Office. Institute on being elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences. their policy advocacy is due It has been produced and designed by Dariel to their political networks, Queen’s Birthday Honours 2009 Burdass, Education Manager. Why not brighten independent analysis, The following members have been made awards: up your lab or office walls? Copies are free by broad membership, and Professor David Charles Baulcombe, Professor of Botany and Royal Society Research emailing [email protected] Although a responsiveness. SGM has Professor, University of Cambridge, is to receive a knighthood for services to Science. copy of the poster has been sent to every UK been a corporate member and Ireland secondary school, any teachers Professor Diane Newell, lately Senior Scientific Consultant, Veterinary Laboratories Agency of CaSE for many years that you are know are also welcome to their is to receive an Order of the British Empire for services to Science. and a keen supporter of own copy. Help us spread the word about the its activities. CaSE meets amazing world of microbes! Staff News regularly with Lord Drayson, Congratulations to Faye Stokes, Public Affairs Administrator, on the birth of a baby girl the Minister for Science Elizabeth in May. and Innovation, and was Grants Welcome to Victoria Hurr, who took up a post as Staff Editor on the Society’s journals in at active in re-establishing the the end of June. Victoria did her PhD in Crop Genetics at the John Innes Centre, Norwich, Science and Technology Upcoming Seminar Speakers Fund Microbiology in SGM meeting each year. Schools Fund and has just returned to the UK after 7 years working as a postdoc in the Agronomy Committee, disbanded deadlines The Fund supports talks The award covers en-suite 2 years ago. This was Teachers working in accommodation and the Department at the University of Florida, USA where she has been carrying out projects on 25 September 2009 is on microbiological topics SGM member schools are Society dinner. transgenic . particularly important the deadline for receipt in departmental seminar invited to apply for grants Applications for grants to since a new Department of applications to the programmes. for Business Innovation of up to £1,000 to support attend the SGM meeting at International Development Applications will be dealt microbiology teaching Heriot-Watt University are Sense About Science campaign and Skills was created in Fund, Watanabe Book with on a first come, first initiatives and events. All now invited. A recent court case brought by the British Chiropractic the recent Government Fund, Elective and served basis during the topics in microbiology Association against the science writer Simon Singh has been re-shuffle, merging the old Trainee Support grants calendar year. Closing date: will be considered but highlighted by Sense About Science (SAS). SAS believes that Departments for Innovation, and President’s Fund for 4 September 2009. Education projects linked to climate the English laws of libel are a threat to scientists and writers Universities and Skills and Research Visits Technician Meeting Development Fund/ change, health and food are worldwide and wants them to be taken out of scientific debates. They assert that disputes for Business Enterprise and Grants Postgraduate Student PUS Awards particularly encouraged. about evidence should take place in peer-reviewed journals, public forums and the Regulatory Reform. With a These grants support Meeting Grants Grants are available to mainstream media, not the courts. SGM President Robin Weiss and Chief Executive Ron general election looming, Applications are considered attendance by eligible Applications for a grant to members for projects Fraser have both signed the statement at www.senseaboutscience.org/freedebate, along CaSE will play an important throughout the year but technicians at one SGM attend SGM’s Heriot-Watt intended to lead to an with many other high ranking scientists, journalists and celebrities. The journal Nature is role in disseminating details should be made no less meeting each year. meeting (7–10 September) improvement in the supporting the campaign and published a one page advertisement for it, listing the names of the science policy of the than 3 months before the Applications for grants to must be received by teaching of any aspect of the original signatories in the 25 June issue. Further signatories are welcome via the different political parties. planned activity. attend the SGM meeting at 4 September 2009. of microbiology relevant above url. Over 10,000 names have been received to date. Heriot-Watt University are CaSE Director Nick Dusic to education in the UK. Retired Member Conference Grants now invited. and Membership Officer Other schemes Funding is also available for Retired members may apply Closing date: David Hawksett recently in brief small projects to promote Microbiology in the News for a grant to attend one 4 September 2009. visited SGM to talk to Chief Scientific Meetings the public engagement with microbiology, such www.sgm.ac.uk/news/news.cfm Executive Ron Fraser and Travel Grants SGM has a wide range of grant schemes to support as workshops, talks, Every day, staff in the SGM External Relations Office check out the UK broadsheet External Relations staff The scheme supports early microbiology. See www.sgm.ac.uk/grants for details demonstrations, leaflets, and newspapers and other news services online, such as the BBC, for stories relating to about current initiatives. career microbiologists and closing dates. activities at science festivals. microbiology. These are collated and summaries of interesting items put on the Newsdesk Individuals can sign up wishing to present work at Enquiries should be made to the: Grants Office, SGM, of the SGM website. Links to the original reports are included for those who want to read free to receive the monthly a scientific meeting, either Applications will be Marlborough House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, the full story. Microbiology in the News not only provides a quick way of checking what’s e-bulletin, giving news of in the UK or abroad. See considered on a first come, Reading RG7 1AG (t 0118 988 1821; f 0118 988 5656; currently hitting the headlines, but it is also a useful resource for students. The archive goes CaSE activities at www. rules on the website for first served basis during the e [email protected]). back to 2002, so it is possible to track back particular topics. Why not bookmark it? savebritishscience.org.uk eligibility criteria. calendar year.

128 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 129 The Legacy of Fleming Fleming re-gilded The February 2009 issue of Fleming anniversaries. Des is MP memorabilia relating to their famous the Fleming anniversary and the The stone commemorating the birth MP Des Browne, and contributions Microbiology Today focussed on the for Kilmarnock and Loudon, the former pupil. We also thought that subsequent revolution in health care of Sir at Lochfield from the Loudoun Valley Trust and 80th anniversaries of the discovery constituency in Scotland that includes there should be some kind of event brought about by antibiotics, not Farm, near Darvel, Ayrshire, has been Galston Rotary Club. The stone was of in 1928 by Alexander Darvel, where Alexander Fleming focussing on microbiology for schools only in treating infections, but also in re-gilded thanks to the efforts of the unveiled on 29 May by Kevin Brown, Fleming and the publication in 1929 was born in 1881 at Lochfield Farm. around Darvel. On meeting with Des, complementing other developments current owners of the farm, Phil and Curator of the Alexander Fleming of his paper ‘On the antibacterial action As Fleming was the first President we found that our ideas chimed with such as cancer treatments, complex Heather Scott, with the advice of local Laboratory Museum. of cultures of a Penicillium’ in Br J of the SGM, this was too good an his own, and it was agreed that these surgery and transplantation. She noted Exp Pathol. Copies of the magazine opportunity to miss. I responded activities would be explored further. that new anti-infectives had come are regularly distributed to MPs and with the message that we would Des also said that he would be able on stream in recent years and that members of the House of Lords be delighted to explore ways of to secure an adjournment debate in research into them continues. She who have elected to receive it, but collaborating to celebrate Fleming’s the House of Commons as close as stressed that there was a need for every now and then, if we feel that a achievements. Soon after Ron Fraser possible to the anniversary of the date novel approaches and this was the particular issue would be of general and I found ourselves in Portcullis that Fleming’s paper was submitted big challenge for both Government interest to parliamentarians, we send House, sitting with Des and his to Br J Exp Pathol, 10 May 1929, in and the pharmaceutical industry. The it to all of them with an invitation to Researcher Shata Shetty over a cup of which he would deliver a speech on Medical Research Council’s annual a free subscription. This is part of the coffee discussing the various options. Fleming and penicillin, and raise issues budget for research into infection Society’s Microbiology Awareness Prior to the meeting, Ron and I had relating to antibiotics today. was running at £72 million and the Campaign, which aims to raise the UK clinical research collaboration chewed over the most appropriate As a result of these discussions, Des profile and understanding of microbial had invested £16.5 million in its ways in which the Society could be duly obtained an adjournment debate science to opinion-formers and translational infection research involved and we both agreed that as on Monday 11 May, the nearest date policymakers. initiative, helping to boost research promoting microbiology education possible to the actual anniversary, capacity and infrastructure and The Fleming issue seemed a good is a significant SGM activity, it would and Ron drafted a speech which establish new career development and one to provoke interest and so a be rather suitable for us to sponsor a Des personalized and delivered. It training programmes for scientists. copy was sent to everyone in both science trophy and prize at a school or covered the publication of Fleming’s The Technology Strategy Board’s houses of parliament. A surprising but schools near to Alexander Fleming’s paper and some of its content, noted m Kevin Brown with the re-gilded commemorative stone at Lochfield farm. Kevin Brown new detection and identification of pleasing outcome was an email from home. Fleming attended school in that while he discovered penicillin, infectious agents platform would make Des Browne, MP, who was seeking Darvel and then Kilmarnock Academy, its development for clinical use took which was described in Des’s speech. also be putting together a display to £55 million available to encourage a partner organization to mark the and the latter has a collection of place much later in World War II led Even Microbiology Today received a show what modern microbial science collaborative research into faster . Fleming’s birthplace at Lochfield Farm (left), and the memorial in Darvel (right). Kevin Brown by Florey and his group in Oxford, mention, with a quote from one of is all about. It has been decided that diagnostic tests. She also emphasized described briefly Alexander Fleming’s the articles in the Fleming issue. the new SGM trophies will be given that prevention was better than cure, humble beginnings and subsequent to two secondary schools: Kilmarnock and that investment in vaccines Plans are now well advanced for career and, in the light of current Academy and Loudon Academy was vital. In conclusion, she joined the event for local schools in Des problems with antibiotic resistance, to reward excellence in biological Des Browne in recognizing the Browne’s constituency. It will be held ended with a plea for continued science. It is hoped that there will be achievements of Fleming and on 13 November at Darvel Town Hall, research into the fundamental biology good media coverage of the event. reassured him that the Government which has recently been refurbished. of pathogens and their interactions was aware of its role in ensuring Parties of students will be bussed in In addition to hosting the event, SGM with the host, and the development funding for the great scientists who from nine secondary schools in East is also making a contribution to the of new drugs to combat infectious continue to build on his legacy. Ayrshire. The keynote speaker will refurbishment of the memorial to Sir diseases. Des said that the legacy of be Hugh Pennington, a well-known Alexander Fleming in Darvel, which Fleming and his successors was the The full proceedings are reported in expert on infectious diseases and, has become very worn and illegible. ‘Golden Age’ of antibiotics and the Hansard (www.publications.parliament. fittingly, also a former President of This is in partnership with the local saving of countless lives of people uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/ the SGM. Kevin Brown, Curator of authority, East Ayrshire Council. and animals, but the prospect of a cm090511/debtext/90511-0021. the Fleming Museum at St Mary’s post-antibiotic age, brought about by This is an exciting venture for SGM, htm#0905122000002). Not only Hospital and author of a biography of resistant ‘superbugs’ is terrifying. and one in which we are proud to be did the debate provide an excellent the great man, will be bringing along participating. We hope that it will raise The Minister of State at the medium for raising awareness of a historical display and collection of the profile of microbiology to a whole Department of Health, Dawn the need for research funding into Fleming artefacts. Paul Hoskisson, an range of audiences. Primarolo, responded at length, infectious diseases, it also gave elected member of SGM Council who recognizing the significance of considerable publicity to the SGM, is based at Strathclyde University, will Janet Hurst, External Relations, SGM

130 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 131 microshorts

Dariel Burdass and Jane Westwell have been checking Microbe Probiotics to protect frog the news for stories relating to micro-organisms power populations New sources of energy are Researchers in the US have reported some success in treating required for our power-hungry Mountain yellow-legged frogs with a probiotic to protect against world, and microbes could be infection by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) which Cholesterol- the environmentally friendly causes chytrid disease. busting fuel producers of the future. Twelve frogs were dipped in a bath of Janthinobacterium lividum, a Researchers at a recent ASM probiotic bacterium which grows on the skin of several bacterium symposium reported on their species. Six of the frogs were infected with Bd along with six findings into the potential A novel organism that can untreated control frogs. After 5 weeks, five of the untreated frogs of micro-organisms to make break down cholesterol has had died, but all of the treated frogs had survived and gained bioethanol, biodiesel and even been isolated from sewage weight. The probiotic had produced the antibiotic violectin which hydrogen from renewable sludge by scientists at the was present in the skin of the treated frogs. sources. Machine developed to eliminate viruses Universidad Complutense Researchers plan to test the treatment on captive bred Panamanian de Madrid in Spain. The Bioethanol is big business, golden frogs (a species now extinct in the wild). They hope from the blood findings were reported in and maize is the major eventually to use the probiotic to protect wild populations of frogs Specialists in the fields of infectious disease and biodefence have designed a machine that purifies the the International Journal of resource as the sugars in corn by treating them and the soil and water in their habitats. starch are readily available blood of infected patients by removing viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C. The haemopurifier works Systematic and Evolutionary www.newscientist.com/article/mg20227115.300-probiotic-bug-is-a-frog-lifesaver. like a dialysis machine, using a network of thin fibres coated with antibodies to selectively capture and Microbiology. for fermentation by micro- html organisms. This raises ethical eliminate viruses from the blood before cells and organs can be attacked. Aethion, the company in Cholesterol is a steroid issues – the ‘food versus fuel’ San Diego who developed the device, see larger versions being used to treat patients in hospital, with found in all body tissues and debate. Scientists are turning to a smaller version being taken to emergency situations where there has been an outbreak of a deadly it is used in the cosmetics and the cellulosic biomasses found disease like Ebola. It has the potential to protect populations from both bioterrorism threats pharmaceutical industries in wood residues and paper and emerging such as bird ’flu where drug treatment or vaccines are unavailable. as a stabilizer, emollient and waste or non-edible plant parts www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/0602-cleaning_infected_blood.htm water-binding agent, hence as an alternative, but the sugars its presence as a common needed for fermentation are contaminant of urban sewage trapped inside the cellulose. At Sunscreens residues. Oak Ridge National Laboratory from lichens The novel bacterium they are screening poplar tree has been named Gordonia samples to study their ability to Lichens are made up of two types cholesterolivorans and it comes release sugars. The researchers of microbe: a fungus and an alga, from a recently discovered are also exploring the potential that live closely together in a group of microbes that can of the hot-spring bacterium partnership where each benefits degrade a wide range of Aneurocellum, a consolidate the other. Lichens can survive environmental pollutants. bioprocessing microbe, that in hostile environments, and This novel species could can both break down cellulose scientists have found that those well be useful in cleaning and convert the sugars to growing on rocks in Antarctica up contamination. Studies acetate and ethanol. contain compounds that can are also underway to Selenium could be key to absorb harmful rays from the Researchers from Wisconsin produce genetically modified sun. One of the compounds, are looking to produce developing new antibiotics G. cholesterolivorans strains calycine, absorbs UVA radiation, m To p. Computer graphic of hydrogen from renewable that can synthesize new a major cause of skin cancer part of a cholesterol molecule. sources. They have been against difficile and industrially useful in humans. Researchers hope Pasieka / SPL studying the purple bacterium Selenium is found in several in both human and break down compounds of to extract the UV-blocking m Bottom. Petrol pump. Polka Rhodobacter sphaeroides that bacterial cells that are called selenoproteins. A recent study by cholesterol. and antioxidant compounds Dot Images / Jupiter Images uses photosynthesis to make US workers has shown that disrupting the way selenoproteins As some Gordonia species are made can stop the growth of some bacteria, including the produced by lichens and use b To p. HIV particles budding hydrogen from cellulosic them to develop new types of are pathogens, it is unlikely from the surface of a cell. biomass and sunlight. A superbug Clostridium difficile. The team is hoping that this could sunscreen to protect people that they could be used Dr Klaus Boller / SPL prototype ‘microbial battery’ lead to the development of narrow spectrum antibiotics able to combat bacteria like C. difficile that need selenium for growth. The from sunburn and cancers. directly to treat humans with b Bottom. Sun cream. has even been put together that high cholesterol levels in can produce enough electricity researchers were greatly encouraged to discover that the gold drug www.telegraph.co.uk/ Stockxpert / Jupiter Images their blood. to power a lap-top. Auranofin, used to treat arthritis, causes a chemical change in the scienceandtechnology/science/ c Panamanian golden frog selenium, preventing bacteria from using it to grow. sciencenews/5373523/Lichens-could- http://ijs.sgmjournals.org/cgi/ (Atelopus zeteki) in captivity in www.sciencedaily.com/ provide-new-sunscreens.html reprint/59/5/1011 St Louis Zoo. Tim Vickers releases/2009/05/090518101906.htm www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090601111936.htm

132 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 133 Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are usually found in hospitals, and cause infections of immunocompromised and elderly patients. Jodi Lindsay asks why is MRSA a problem in sport?

b Coloured SEM of MRSA. CDC / Science Photo Library Can I catch MRSA from playing sport?

taphylococcus aureus are resistant S. aureus (MRSA), to which mobile genetic elements – pieces of DNA that can confer addi- diagnosed with MRSA bacteraemia (blood infection) – who bacteria that commonly athletes are particularly vulnerable. tional virulence or resistance properties, including SCCmec. may also have other underlying disease – is approximately live in the nose, and about MRSA are S. aureus cells that have 25%. 20% of us carry them acquired an extra piece of DNA, called MRSA in hospitals MRSA spread in hospitals is controlled by hygiene, all the time, with another a staphylococcal cassette chromosome All over the world, various types of SCCmec have moved especially hand-washing, prophylactic antibiotics and a 50% intermittently coloni- (SCCmec) that includes a gene called into different types of S. aureus to generate MRSA. Some of new screening strategy introduced by the UK Department Szed. We have all had an S. aureus mecA. The mecA gene encodes a these have been very successful in spreading in hospitals, of Health this year requiring all non-emergency patients to infection, usually an infected cut or penicillin-binding protein required probably because they are resistant to other antibiotics used be swabbed, followed by decolonization if testing positive wound that became inflamed and for cell-wall synthesis, enabling the in hospitals, such as fluoroquinolones. In the UK, we have for the bacteria. There is now recognition that MRSA nasal maybe produced some pus. Because bacterium to resist b-lactamase-resist- two major types of MRSA, called epidemic MRSA-15 and colonization rates are significant and/or increasing outside of of our healthy immune response, ant b-lactam antibiotics. This includes MRSA-16 (lineages CC22 and CC30), and they account for hospitals, especially in people with contact to the healthcare predominantly the production of our favourites for preventing and about 40% of all S. aureus. Other countries have different system (discharged patients, nursing homes, district nursing, neutrophils, we didn’t need anti- treating S. aureus infection, such as types and different MRSA colonization rates, and there veterinary). In the UK, these strains are predominantly biotics and the infection cleared flucloxacillin. is good evidence that strains are continuing to evolve and MRSA-15 and MRSA-16. itself. Very occasionally, a S. aureus Recently, it has been discovered that spread. infection can become more serious there are about ten major lineages Hospital MRSA cause infection in immunocompromised Community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) in a healthy person, but we don’t of S. aureus, each capable of causing patients, particularly those with a wound, surgical incision or In the USA, two novel strains of MRSA have evolved and really know why. However, in the disease in humans, and some addi- catheter that allows the bacteria to penetrate the skin barrier. caused a new type of problem. They did not evolve from USA there have recently been out- tional animal lineages. Each strain If the innate immune response fails to clear the infection, hospital MRSA strains, and are not multidrug-resistant. breaks of a new type of meticillin- within a lineage can also acquire antibiotics can help. Even so, the mortality rate of patients Firstly, there was USA400 in lineage CC1, reported in

134 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 135 CA-MRSA in sport in 0.6% of all wrestlers and 0.25% of be ineffective, delaying diagnosis and the South Pacific, where CA-MRSA Outbreaks in USA professional athletic teams such as the football players (gridiron). Volleyball, more appropriate antibiotics, so that is prevalent. And while non-contact St Louis Rams and in high-profile athletes have been well basketball, fencing, canoeing, weight- complications are more likely, there sports such as football (soccer) may documented. A recent report from 271 high schools in lifting and gyms have also seen out- is increased spread to team-mates, not have some of the common risk Nebraska identified a physician-diagnosed MRSA infection breaks. and performance in elite athletes is factors, an outbreak in a Dutch foot- The risk factors for athletes compromised. ball team in 2005 affected 9 out of developing infection appear to be: In the UK, participation in high- 35 players and caused lesions on legs, b Computer artwork of the molecular structure of the F subunit of the Panton–Valentine leucocidin (PVL) from the S. aureus. This exposure to CA-MRSA, cuts and risk sports, such as gridiron and arms and buttocks. The strain was the subunit combines with the S subunit to form the toxin. PVL targets abrasions such as ‘turf burns’, close wrestling, is low. But an outbreak European ST80 lineage, and a player white blood cells, making pores in the cell membrane, thus killing contact with other athletes in team in 1996 in a rugby team in the UK from an opposing team subsequently the cell. Dr Tim Evans / Science Photo Library sports, unhygienic practices such affected 5 out of the 20 players with developed a lesion on the leg due to . Members of the St Louis Rams American football team tackle a as sharing towels and razors, and large abscesses on the arms, back, neck this strain. Philadelphia Eagles player. This sort of contact in sport can lead inadequate cleaning of equipment, and face, and antibiotic treatment The UK does not currently have a to the transmission of CA-MRSA. A well documented outbreak of CA-MRSA occurred in the St Louis Rams team in 2003. G. Newman including whirlpools. The preferred was required. The team had recently serious problem with CA-MRSA in Lowrance/Getty Images treatment for a S. aureus infection may played against a team touring from sport, but this could change at any time with the introduction of strains from 1997, and then USA300 in lineage CC8 which is now the overseas or the evolution of home- predominant type. These strains all carry a mobile genetic grown varieties. In the meantime, element – a bacteriophage – encoding a toxin called Panton– when your mother told you not to pick Valentine leukocidin (PVL), which probably plays a role in your nose and to wash your hands killing neutrophils produced by the body’s immune system. frequently – she was probably on to In normal S. aureus, PVL is found in only 2% of isolates. A something. survey of healthy US citizens in 2003/4 estimated that 1.5% carry MRSA in their nose; 23% of these were CA-MRSA, and these numbers are increasing. Jodi Lindsay The major problem with CA-MRSA is that they cause Senior Lecturer, Department outbreaks of infection in people who are healthy, and of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, therefore the strains are probably more virulent. CA-MRSA St George’s, University of London, appears to spread in communities that are close-knit, London SW17 0RE (t 0208 725 particularly in prisons, the military, schools, homosexuals 0445; e [email protected];) and athletic teams. They usually cause severe skin and soft- tissue infections, often presenting as an ‘insect bite’ that becomes inflamed, or a deep-seated boil or abscess. If the Further reading patient presents to their GP with a skin lesion, they are likely Cohen, P.R. (2008). The skin in to be prescribed an oral antibiotic such as flucloxacillin, the gym: a comprehensive review which is effective against S. aureus but not MRSA. This will of the cutaneous manifestations of delay diagnosis and may lead to more severe symptoms. In community-acquired methicillin- some cases, the infection develops into something more resistant Staphylococcus aureus serious or life-threatening and fatalities occur. infection in athletes. Clin Dermatol The best treatment is usually surgical drainage of the 26, 16–26. lesion, and treatment with appropriate antibiotics, which Lindsay, J.A. (2008). S. aureus may include trimethoprim with or without sulfamethoxazole, evolution: lineages and mobile genetic clindamycin, doxycycline, rifampicin and/or fusidic acid in elements (MGEs). In Staphylococcus: various combinations, depending on severity of disease, age Molecular Genetics, pp. 45–69. of patient, resistance rates in the community, ability of S. Edited by J.A. Lindsay. Norwich: aureus to generate resistance, local guidelines and availability. Caister Academic Press. In the UK, USA300 and USA400 are sporadically reported, Nathwani, D., Morgan, M., but they do not appear to cause outbreaks like those seen Masterton, R.G. & others (2008). in the USA. In mainland Europe, a different CA-MRSA type Guidelines for UK practice for (lineage ST80) can cause similar disease, but does not seem the diagnosis and management of as prevalent. In Asia, CC59 is the dominant CA-MRSA, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus in the South Pacific it is CC30. The reasons for geographical aureus (MRSA) infections presenting variation and the delayed spread of strains of MRSA between in the community. J Antimicrob countries and continents are not known. Chemother 61, 976–994.

136 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 137 c False-coloured TEM of HSV particles. Hazel Appleton, Centre for Infections / Health Protection Agency / Science Photo Library Players of contact sports like wrestling and rugby can end up with a virus infection that could wreck not only their health, but their athletic career, according to Julia Colston and Judy Breuer. erpes Gladiatorum (HG) is an active herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection associated with close-contact traumatic sports, such as wrestling, rugby and martial arts. Other names for the condition include scrumpox in association with rugby, and matpox in wrestling.H It was first described in the literature in 1964, where five members of a small amateur wrestling group (and a further unfortunate gymnast who had volunteered themselves for a demonstration of the ‘crossface’ manoeuvre!) developed lesions within a close time frame of individual fighting episodes. All five of these cases could be linked and they presented with similar symptoms of general malaise and an atypical vesicular rash affecting the exposed areas, namely the face and arms. Several further reports closely followed Herpes in 1965. It seems that outbreaks of HG were occurring well before this, with many unpublished epidemics taking place amongst wrestling groups. HG might have been described much earlier, had it not been for the ambiguity of the lesions produced, superimposed infections and a lack of appreciation Gladiatorum: for the relevance of the disease. Early reports list a vast array of alternative diagnoses, such as staphylococcal infections, herpes zoster, rickettsialpox and contact dermatitis, to name just a few. In fact, there are reports of unspecified disease in wrestling groups dating back as far as the 1920’s. a combative HSV is a member of the alphaherpesvirinae subfamily. Like all herpes viruses, once an individual is affected, the virus will establish latency within the host. Active disease may reactivate at any time, in association with known triggers virus disease

138 138 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 139 m Wrestlers and rugby players are two groups of sports men and transmission from latently infected individuals who are Prevention and treatment sports described enables this. The other group were on antiviral medications. women who are particularly at risk from contracting HSV infections asymptomatically shedding virus, something that is well Measures to control HG began to be factor involved is the traumatic nature Serological tests showed a 29.8% because of the unavoidable close body contact that forms part of their sport. The infections in wrestling and rugby have become described for both HSV-1 and -2. Interestingly, although introduced in the 1990s. Despite this, of these sports, where broken skin is positive IgG anti-HSV-1 titre in total. known as matpox and scrumpox, respectively. Wrestlers – Donald the original report concluded that either four individuals high profile outbreaks continue to thought to potentiate active disease. At the end of the camp, none of the Miralle / Getty Images; rugby scrum – Stockxpert / Jupiter Images must have transmitted the virus or that some of the HG occur. A paper in 2003 highlights that Therefore, basic hygiene forms part of participants had a positive IgM anti- was actually due to reactivation, it has recently been understanding and correct diagnosis the recommendations for prevention HSV-1 or HSV-2 antibody. Compared (such as stress, UV, menstruation, immunocompromise). demonstrated that shedding of more than one strain of virus of HG were still not in place within of disease. Broken skin should be to previous years at this 28-day camp, HSV-1 is traditionally associated with cold sores and HSV- may occur simultaneously in a single individual. In the large wrestling groups, and that in parti- covered. This is of course relevant to the reduction of HG outbreaks was 2 with genital herpes. However, there is an increasing group of seven athletes where three different viruses were cular more was needed in terms of other diseases associated with contact said to be 87%. crossover, where both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be responsible found, an alternative explanation could be that the index guidance from the US Nation Federa- sports, such as tinea gladiatorum. For treatment of active disease, for either manifestation of the disease. With HG there is case transmitted different viruses to three athletes, with one tion of State High School Associations Hygiene standards should apply to acyclovir, valacyclovir or famcyclovir some discussion about the mode of HSV infection, whether of them spreading virus to another three. The possibility (NFHS). sporting equipment as well. are recommended. HG can produce these are primary infections or reactivation of latent disease. that some strains may be more transmissible than others is Two approaches are key, prophylactic The next measures are for the appro- quite severe facial disease, and due also mooted in the paper, and further evaluation of this is measures and treatment of people priate exclusion of athletes where active to the nature of skin to skin contact Transmission needed. with active infections. The literature disease is present. It has become clear in these various contact sports, often Since 1989, further reports appeared of another outbreak Irrespective of how it originates, HG is now recognized discusses the relevance of inanimate over the course of the past few decades atypical areas are affected. These of HG within 175 high-school wrestlers attending a 4-week as a serious hazard of contact sports especially in the light objects (such as mats and head gear) that merely attempting to cover lesions include the temples and tissues around intensive training course in Minnesota, USA. Unexpectedly, of estimates that 29% of wrestlers have a history of oro- and the role of these in transmission. is not acceptable. Screening checks are the eyes. Some of the more significant using restriction enzyme analysis, four distinct strains of labial HSV. Clinically, over 70% of lesions occur on the From the initial report in 1964, it was also recommended prior to sporting cases will involve eye complications, HSV-1 among 21 isolates were identified. The researchers face, with the remainder distributed more or less evenly noted that other classes were taking events. Where athletes have a known warranting prompt antiviral treatment. were able to show identity between 10 strains in one group between the trunk and limbs. The location of lesions has place in the same venue, using the history of HG, using prophylactic of athletes who practised together and between 5 of 7 in been shown to reflect the handedness of the wrestlers; in same mats as the wrestling group. antivirals to prevent possible outbreaks Conclusion another practice group. While serological analysis indicated one analysis 86% of contestants were right-handed and These individuals were not affected has been considered. A great deal of The major complications of HG can that most of the infections were primary, at least two re- 74% of lesions occurred on the right side. There is little in the same way as the wrestling research into HG in wrestlers has been involve the more serious manifestations infections are thought to have occurred. Whether the initial literature to support the role of HSV-2 in HG outbreaks. group and it was considered unlikely done by Anderson, and in particular of HSV. Given the distribution of cases had active lesions or were asymptomatically shedding However, it seems probable with the increasing role of that disease could be spread in this the usage of valacyclovir as prophylaxis. the lesions, eye problems are quite virus, which because of the nature of the physical contact HSV-2 in oro-labial disease that a significant proportion way. The classic transmission of Of 332 male wrestlers at a 28-day common, and can be serious. The was transmitted in this unusual fashion, is not clear. of HSV-2 is responsible for HG outbreaks. Whether this HSV involves mucocutaneous contact camp, 94 participated in serological morbidity associated with this disease The finding that outbreaks of HG occur even when has any bearing on the presentation of disease is also between the infected individual and testing and the usage of prophylactic is not to be underrated. Overall, the individuals with active lesions are excluded, would support unknown. the recipient, and the nature of the antivirals. Sixty-four members of this impact is not just upon the athletes’

140 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 141 health, but also their sporting career. Simple measures for identification of affected individuals and appropriate prophylaxis could prevent further significant outbreaks, if properly overseen. Whilst disease is rarely life-threatening, it does contribute to significant morbidity, and clearly is a very successful pathogen. Large sporting events of the type described in this article are a breeding ground for this virus, and appropriate measures should be met by sporting and/ or educational bodies in order to prevent its spread. Finally, the significance of HG also needs to be appreciated by health professionals, and where appropriate prophylaxis considered.

Julia Colston Academic Clinical Fellow in Medicine, Addenbrookes Hospital, Department of Medicine, Level 5, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ (e [email protected])

Judy Breuer the icc Professor of Virology, 4 Newark Street, Whitechapel, birmingham London E1 2AT (e [email protected]) 11th – 13th november 2009

Further reading Anderson, B.J. (1999). The effectiveness of valacyclovir in preventing reactivation of Herpes Gladiatorum in wrestlers. Clin J Sports Med 9, 86–90. Anderson, B.J. (2003). The epidemiology and clinical analysis of several outbreaks of Herpes Gladiatorum. Med Sci Sports Exerc 35, 1809–1814. Anderson, B.J. (2006). Prophylactic valacyclovir to prevent outbreaks of primary Herpes Gladiatorum at a 28-day wrestling camp. Jpn J Infect Dis 59, 6–9. Anderson, B.J. (2008). Managing Herpes Gladiatorum outbreaks in competitive wrestling: the 2007 Minnesota experience. Curr Sports Med Rep 7, 323–327. Belongia, E.A., Goodman, J.L., Holland, E.J. & others (1991). An outbreak of Herpes Gladiatorum at a high-school wrestling camp. N Engl J Med 325, 906–910. Gilbert, S., Corey, L., Cunningham, A. & others. (2007). An update on short-course intermittent and prevention therapies for herpes labialis. Herpes 14 Suppl. 1, 13A–18A. Koelle, D.M. & Wald, A. (2000). Herpes simplex virus: the importance of asymptomatic shedding. J Antimicrob Chemother 45 Suppl. T3, 1–8. Liljeqvist, J.A., Tunbäck, P. & Norberg, P. (2009). Asymptomatically shed recombinant herpes simplex virus type 1 strains detected in saliva. J Gen Virol 90, 559–566. Selling, B. & Kibrick, S. (1964). An outbreak of herpes simplex among wrestlers (Herpes Gladiatorum). N Engl J Med 270, m Top. Close-up of blisters around the lips of a 12-year-old girl 979–982. suffering from an HSV infection. Dr P. Marazzi / Science Photo Library Wheeler, C.E., Jr & Cabaniss, W.H., Jr (1965). Epidemic m Bottom. Cornea of an eye affected with a dendritic ulcer caused by cutaneous herpes simplex in wrestlers (Herpes Gladiatorum). HSV. Argentum / Science Photo Library JAMA 194, 993–997.

142 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 143 Soil microbes may offer an alternative to the use of chemicals in sports turf. Alan Gange explains how these could affect your putting or maybe even who wins the FA Cup. Can microbes be used to produce ‘greener’ sports turf?

pril 2009: both Manchester United and and greens is of the utmost importance and are always to per year and many will experience well loss of the sward if untreated with of a build up in disease-suppressive Arsenal lose their FA Cup semi final matches blame when one’s approach shot hits the rough or that over 50,000. It is not hard to see that fungicide. soils. at Wembley Stadium. Afterwards, both critical putt is missed! the grass is under intense stress from Other important diseases of turf in Fine turf is also affected by other managers, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Sports turf is an unusual plant community, composed foliage loss and soil compaction. As the UK include anthracnose (causative microbial troubles. Fairy rings, mostly Wenger, blamed the state of the Wembley of just a few grass species. In British fairways and football a result, putting greens are prone to organism Colletotrichum graminicola), caused by the Basidiomycete fungus pitch, Ferguson describing it as ‘spongy and pitches, the predominant grass is Lolium perenne (perennial attack from a wide variety of diseases, red thread (Laetisaria fuciformis), Marasmius oreades cause unsightly Adead’. A few days later, the head groundsman was sacked and rye). In our golf tees and greens, the desirable grasses are the most important of which is pink dollar spot (Sclerotinia homeocarpa), darker rings in the sward and a the pitch re-laid at a cost approaching £100,000. This is the species of bents (Agrostis) and fescues (Festuca), with many snow mould or Fusarium patch brown patch (Rhizoctonia solani) and curious phenomenon known as dry sixth time that the pitch has been replaced since it was first cultivars of each species available. However, all turf systems (causative organism Microdochium take-all patch (Gaeumannomyces patch occurs when the soil becomes laid in 2006. become invaded by the weed grass Poa annua (annual nivale). As the colloquial name graminis var. avenae). The latter is hydrophobic. This condition is not Whether the pitch or the groundsman were in any way meadow grass). Poa is undesirable, because it is nutrient suggests, this is a low-temperature interesting because it is most prevalent exclusive to turf, and is thought to be to blame for the fact that Everton scored more times in the and water hungry, susceptible to disease and provides an pathogen, most prevalent in humid in turf 3–5 years old, subsequently caused by hydrophobic compounds penalty shoot-out than did United is, of course, debatable. inferior quality playing surface. The control of Poa is the key conditions in spring and autumn. This disappearing in a phase known as produced by decomposer fungi in However, these facts illustrate how important the quality of to successful sports turf management. fungus can be devastating and has ‘take-all decline’. This is caused by a the thatch layer of the sward. Finally, the playing surface is in sport and the vast sums of money probably caused more greenkeepers build up of fluorescent pseudomonads black layer is a condition that occurs that are spent to construct and maintain these surfaces. Turf troubles to lose their jobs than any other in the soil, which produce chemicals when soils become heavily compacted The highest quality turf surfaces are to be found on golf Putting greens in the UK are cut daily to a height of about microbe. It first appears as patches of antagonistic to the fungus. This and oxygen in the root zone becomes courses. There are over 2,500 golf courses in the UK and 4.5 mm in the summer, and at least weekly in the winter. An dead grass 2–5 cm in diameter which phenomenon has been observed in depleted. Anaerobic bacteria produce nearly 32,000 worldwide. The quality of the tees, fairways average course in the UK experiences about 25,000 rounds can rapidly coalesce to cause near total other soils too and is a classic example hydrogen sulfide which reacts with

144 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 145 2

iron to produce a black deposit of ferric Turf also receives large amounts of inorganic fertilizer, sulfide, toxic to plants. Many years ago, in particular nitrogen and phosphate. As phosphate is a when black layer was first observed, relatively immobile nutrient in soils, very high levels can greenkeepers were puzzled, because by build up. High phosphate levels are often correlated with the time they had returned the affected low AM fungal abundance, the theory being that when soil to their shed, the black layer had phosphate is abundant, plants no longer receive a benefit disappeared, as the deposit reacted from the mycorrhiza and the fungus is somehow reduced. with oxygen in the air. Microbial benefits to turf? Beneficial microbes in turf The majority of work with microbes in turf has concentrated In natural situations, there is an on whether AM fungi can be used to improve grass extensive soil microbial community, production, thereby reducing the reliance on pesticides which has been shown to affect the and fertilizers. Although the abundance of these fungi in structure and functioning of the putting greens and pitches is low, it has been found that 1 3 above-ground community, including their occurrence is negatively related to that of Poa and protection against pathogens. However, Microdochium. Poa is reputed to be non-mycorrhizal, but it appears that microbial communities the fungi in putting greens can colonize its roots, and, in in sports turf soils are remarkably laboratory trials, can reduce its growth. Antagonistic effects impoverished. A few studies have of AM fungi on plants are not new, indeed it is thought that measured the abundance of bacteria the benefit derived by plants from being mycorrhizal lies on and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi a continuum, from negative to positive. Laboratory trials in turf soils and found these to be at have shown that AM fungi are a potential biocontrol agent a fraction of the abundance of natural for Poa. However, field trials have been less successful and plant communities in which Agrostis, current research is directed at identifying the fungi in greens’ Festuca or Lolium predominate. soils and increasing their abundance. Hopefully, if AM fungal There are several reasons why sports abundance can be increased, then there will be a concomitant turf soils have a depauperate microbial reduction in Poa abundance and better quality turf surfaces. community. Bacteria in the rhizosphere are dependent on carbon compounds Biostimulating sports turf 5 that exude from roots, while AM fungi There are really two ways of increasing the abundance of depend upon plants for their carbon, beneficial microbes in turf. One is to add in the microbes sometimes extracting up to 20% of themselves and the second is to add a product that relieves the annual amount of photosynthate. one or more of the limiting factors to their abundance. These If grass plants are not allowed to methods are not mutually exclusive, though few attempts grow more than 4.5 mm tall, then the have been made to integrate the two. Products that seek to amount of leaf area for photosynthesis increase the biological content of soil and thereby improve is minimal and the amount of fixed the health and growth of plants are called ‘biostimulants’. carbon fed to the roots is small. Thus, These are products of biological origin and vary widely in from the soil microbe point of view, their content. Some aim to increase plant growth directly mowing is the worst thing that can (e.g. amino acids or plant hormones), while some attempt happen to turf. to feed the microbial population (e.g. simple sugars, seaweed As sports turf is susceptible to so mixtures and humic acids). many diseases, frequent doses of In the former approach, a number of products have fungicides are applied. All of these appeared on the market in recent years, containing mixtures chemicals are broad spectrum in of beneficial bacteria and/or fungi. The fact that many have 4 6 activity, but we have found that they do come and gone, along with the companies that marketed m 1. Anthracnose on a putting green. Jeff Sexton / www.forestryimages.org not seem to have as serious an effect on them, should tell you how successful they were. The fact is m Top. Poa annua in flower. Ohio State Weed Lab Archive, Ohio State 2. Anthracnose on creeping bent (Agrostis stolonifera). Several dark, spore-producing bodies called the non-target microbes as one might University / www.forestryimages.org that no one has yet identified the fungal and bacterial species acervuli can be seen at the base of the stem. Paul Bachi / www.forestryimages.org expect. Most modern-day chemicals that are able to live in the unusual conditions within sports 3. Colletotrichum sp. – one of the causative agents of anthracnose. Scimat / Science Photo Library have a relatively short persistence in Middle. Take-all root rot. William M. Brown Jr / www.forestryimages. turf soil. Although the content of most products is a closely 4. Pink snow mould. William M. Brown Jr / www.forestryimages.org the soil and a population of chemical- org guarded secret, it is highly likely that they contain ‘off the 5. Dollar spot on St Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum). Division of Plant Industry Archive, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services / www.forestryimages.org decomposer organisms seems to be Bottom. Turf showing signs of infection with brown patch. William shelf’ microbes such as Bacillus subtilis and Glomus species. It 6. Fairy rings in turf. Lester E. Dickens / www.forestryimages.org present. M. Brown Jr / www.forestryimages.org is quite possible that the only thing that happens when such

146 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 147 m Could microbes have been to blame? Probably not! captain David Beckham misses his penalty kick on 24 June 2004 during the European Nations Championship quarter-final football match between Portugal and England. England lost 6–5! Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images a product is applied is death of the introduced organisms, cycling and disease protection. Sports turf will then be followed by a burst of grass growth, from released nutrients. greener, in more ways than one. However, microbes cannot When we have followed microbial community abundance guarantee that you will hole that crucial putt, or that no one after inoculation, we have found in all cases that any increase will miss a penalty at Wembley! is transient. Such effects are almost certainly due to the fact that Alan Gange the main limiting factor, carbon availability, has not been School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University alleviated. Thus, a more recent and successful approach of London, Egham TW20 0EX (e [email protected]) has been to apply products rich in carbon to the soil. Those containing simple sugars or seaweed extracts have shown promising results, though timing of application is critical. In Further reading one instance, such a product was applied late in the season Bartlett, M.D., James, I.T., Harris, J.A. & Ritz, K. (2008). Size and resulted in an astonishing outbreak of pink snow mould. and phenotypic structure of microbial communities within soil profiles in relation to different playing areas on a UK golf course. ‘Greener’ sports turf? Eur J Soil Sci 59, 835–841. There is no doubt that the industry must embrace a more Bary, F., Gange, A.C., Crane, M. & Hagley, K.J. (2005). sustainable approach to turf management. Many of the Fungicide levels and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in golf putting pesticides in current use are likely to disappear and without greens. J Appl Ecol 42, 171–180. these, golf or football could not be played to the standards Gange, A.C., Lindsay, D.E. & Ellis, L.S. (1999). Can arbuscular demanded. Soil microbes offer a potential alternative to mycorrhizal fungi be used to control the undesirable grass Poa chemicals. If we can increase the availability of carbon in annua on golf courses? J Appl Ecol 36, 909–919. the rhizosphere, then we should be able to increase the Miller, A.R. & Gange, A.C. (2003). A survey of biostimulant abundance of beneficial bacteria and fungi, thus improving use on football turf and effect on rootzone microbial populations. the processes of weed management, decomposition, nutrient J Turfgrass Sports Surface Sci 79, 50–60.

148 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 149 conferences

Autumn09 Edinburgh Conference Centre Spring10 Edinburgh International Meetings Committee Scientific Meetings Officer Heriot-Watt University Conference Centre Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott (e [email protected]) 7–10 September 2009 www.sgmheriot-watt2009.org.uk 29 March–1 April 2010 Deputy Scientific Meetings Officer www.sgmeicc2010.org.uk Professor Chris J. Hewitt Putting microbes to work – (e [email protected]) Education Division the latest in translational and applied microbial science Systems microbiology Professor Joanna Verran (e [email protected]) Top international speakers will consider current j Putting microbes to work (environmental microbiology) Eukaryotic Microbiology Division challenges and developments in translational j Microbial polysaccharides j Microbial factories Professor Geoff Gadd microbiology. Sessions will cover wide-ranging j Alternative models to study mammalian pathogens Autumn10 University of applications of micro-organisms in food and drug (e [email protected]) j Cultivating and sensing microbes in micro-scale devices production, disease diagnosis and prevention, Irish Division (industry session) Nottingham environmental clean-up, as microbial factories and Dr Evelyn Doyle j Glycoengineering j Conjugate vaccines as model organisms. (e [email protected]) j Microbial stress and food production: coping with the work 6–9 September 2010 Prokaryotic Microbiology Division Programme Booklet environment j Bioenergy fuel sources Professor Petra Oyston A booklet giving full details of the programme is j Meningitis (clinical microbiology) j Bacterial cell walls Metals and Microbes (e [email protected]) enclosed with this issue of Microbiology Today. Any j Contribution of the global N cycle to global processes Virology Division changes will be posted on the SGM website. Polar microbiology Professor Stuart Siddell Who should attend? (e [email protected]) A special session to mark Polar Year OtherEvents IrishDivision Anyone who wants to keep up to date with Suggestions for topics for future modern microbial science, no matter what their Darwin’s Tree of Life ASM/SGM Joint Meeting Spring 2010 symposia are always welcome. field or stage of their career. The conference will A symposium on microbial evolution to commemorate the 200th Meetings Administrator Aix-en-Provence, France University of Cork, Ireland also provide a great opportunity for networking. anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin Mrs Josiane Dunn 5–9 October 2009 Where is it? Recombinant protein synthesis (t 0118 988 1805; f 0118 988 Special Lectures 3rd International Conference on Organizer Gerard Wall 5656; e [email protected]). Located on a pleasant rural campus on the outskirts Fred Griffith Prize Lecture Salmonella (e [email protected]) of Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh Conference From spores to antibiotics via the cell cycle – Jeff Errington (Newcastle) www.asm.org/meetings Abstracts Centre has excellent facilities, including the Hot Topic Lecture Titles and abstracts for all purpose-designed James Watt Centre. High quality Autumn 2010 Update on swine ’flu –Professor Wendy Barclay (UCL) presentations must be submitted en-suite overnight accommodation is available on- Federation of Infection University of Maynooth, Ireland through the SGM website by site. Situated next to the city bypass and central to Microbial Genomics workshop Joint meeting with Irish Society for the advertised deadlines. For Scotland’s motorway network, the Centre is only Societies Meeting – A beginner’s guide to exploring sequences and their comparisons on Clinical Microbiology further information contact the ten minutes from Edinburgh’s International Airport Infection 2009 free software (and everything you wanted to know but haven’t yet Administrator. and has good public transport links. ICC, Birmingham Organizer Kevin Kavanagh asked) – Dr Nick Thomson (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute) (e [email protected]) www.sgm.ac.uk/meetings Grants 11–13 November 2009 Other highlights Supported by Society for General Conference grants are available to SGM For details of all Irish Division Sir Howard Dalton Young Microbiologist of the Year Competition Microbiology Postgraduate Student Associate Members. activities, contact Evelyn Doyle CV workshop Gala dinner Trade exhibition www.infection2009.com (e [email protected]). Deadline Evening poster sessions with wine Earlybird registration 7 August 2009

150 150 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 151 schoolzone

Schools Membership costs only £10 a year. Benefits include For athletes, environmental factors such as travel and Immune response – natural killer (NK) cells accommodation also contribute to the risk of infection. Microbiology Today, advance copies of new teaching resources NK cells are a type of that plays an Researchers have found a link between moderate regular important role in the host’s defence against virally infected and discounted fees on SGM INSET courses. To join see exercise and reduced frequency of URTIs compared with a cells. NK cells are cytotoxic and recognize and kill host cells sedentary state and excessive amounts of exercise and an that have become infected with virus. NK cells are known www.sgm.ac.uk/membership. Enquiries: [email protected] increased risk of URTIs. An epidemiological study carried as natural killers because they don’t need to react to specific or go to www.microbiologyonline.org.uk for full details of out by Matthews et al. in 2002 on moderate to vigorous antigens, they just need to recognize that a cell is foreign. activity and risk of URTI showed that regular moderate They form part of the innate immune system. When NK resources and activities. exercise per day was associated with a 29% reduction in the cells come into close contact with an infected cell they risk of getting a URTI compared to individuals that had a release granules of protein called perforin and proteolytic sedentary lifestyle. Professor Nieman of Appalachian State University, USA showed that when moderate exercise is repeated on a near daily basis there is a cumulative effect that leads to a long-term improvement in immune response. Couch His research showed that those who walk at 70–75% of their V (volume of oxygen that can be utilized while O2 max exercising at maximum capacity for 1 minute) for 40 potato or minutes a day have half as many sick days due to colds or sore throats as those who don’t exercise. Conversely, other studies have reported a 100–500 % increase in risk in developing an URTI in the weeks following marathons elite athlete? and ultra marathons. Following strenuous exercise, athletes enter a brief period of ‘open window’ time in which they experience weakened immune resistance and are more susceptible to viral and bacterial infections, in particular Finding of the respiratory tract. Evidence of URTIs collected for this research is not usually based on detection of the virus in isolates but taken from medical records or via an individual’s response to the happy questionnaires, so some of the reported sore throats may not be due to infectious agents but to non-infectious airway inflammation caused by allergies or inhalation of pollutants. A ‘J’-shaped model (see diagram below) has been used to Stockxpert / Jupiter Images Dot Images / Jupiter Polka medium describe the relationship between the amount of physical activity that is undertaken and risk of URTI. There is some m False-coloured scanning electron micrograph of a human . NK evidence that this increased susceptibility to infection is cells are a type of white blood cell known as T-lymphocytes. NK cells have the ability to destroy virus-infected cells and tumour cells. On contact with the As we focus on microbes and sport in this issue of Microbiology Today, Dariel due to a depression in immune system function of the surface of a foreign cell, the NK cell recognizes certain proteins called antigens, individual. Recent studies have shown that exercise causes which activate its cell-killing mechanism. Eye Of Science / Science Photo Library Burdass explores the impact of exercise on our ability to fight infections. physiological changes in the immune system. enzymes called granzymes from their cytoplasm. Perforin forms pores in the cell membrane of the infected cell, Infections of the nose, throat, windpipe (trachea) or the nutrition, lack of sleep, the normal aging process, lack High allowing the granzymes to enter and cause apoptosis. The two airways that branch from the trachea as it reaches the of exercise or overtraining. These factors can suppress infected cell breaks up into membrane-bound fragments lungs (bronchi) are common. These upper respiratory tract the immune system making a person more vulnerable to that are then removed by . An advantage of infections (URTIs) include the common cold, sinusitis and infection. killing infected cells by apoptosis is that the cell’s contents,

tonsillitis, and most are due to a viral infection. The average Average including virus particles are not released as they are during adult has two to three URTIs each year. We are constantly Exercise and its effect on the immune system cell lysis, thus preventing their spread into uninfected cells. exposed to the viruses that cause these infections, but Exercise can have both a positive and negative effect NK cell activity can be modulated by many different agents. Risk of infection some people seem more susceptible to catching URTIs than on immune function and can influence an individual’s The cytolytic activity of NK cells is enhanced by cytokines others. Every day our immune system protects us from vulnerability to infection. The underlying reasons for such as interferon and interleukin, signalling molecules an army of pathogenic microbes that bombard the body. this variability are multifactorial and include infectious, Low that are released by the host cell in response to infection by Immune function is influenced by an individual’s genetic neuroendocrine and metabolic factors, with the diet Sedentary Moderate High the virus particle. Conversely, prostaglandins and immune make-up as well other external factors such as stress, poor and training regime of the individual also playing a role. Training intensity complexes downregulate NK cells.

152 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 153 NK cells are highly influenced Cortisol is known as a stress by physical exercise. The possible hormone as it is secreted at higher important mechanisms behind levels in response to stressful 2009 MiSAC Competition Review exercise-induced changes in NK cell situations. SAW Showcase: Science from the John Innes function are cytokines and stress Elite athletes are exposed to the Microbes and climate change Centre and Institute of Food research presented by hormones. psychological stress of competition children from schools in and around Norfolk SGM sponsored the 21st MiSAC During moderate activity, NK cell (worry/anxiety). During endurance competition for UK and Ireland Edited by A. Osbourn activity is enhanced. Studies show that events and over-training, the body is secondary schools. This year’s topic Published by John Innes Centre (2009) NK cells are recruited to peripheral exposed to the physiological stress of was chosen because climate change is pp. 159, ISBN 978-0-9550180-2-2 blood during exercise and that the prolonged exercise, and taking part a global problem that is very likely to cells recruited respond to interleukin. in extreme environments – heat, cold This book, showcasing the Science, Art and Writing have an impact on this generation of Intense activity experienced by elite and altitude can also put stress on (SAW) initiative, is an anthology of work from 7- to students. To enter the ongoing public athletes involved in training and the body. Repeated bouts of intensive 11-year-olds. Scientists from fields including microbiology debate and make informed decisions competing in endurance events such exercise can cause the elevation and food science took images, and a wealth of knowledge they need to understand the causes of as marathons and ultra-marathons of stress hormones, particularly and experience, into schools to inspire children to develop climate change and be able to evaluate has been shown to downregulate NK glucocorticoids, which may suppress science-based art and literature. current research. The students were cell activity. This immunodepression the immune system. The initiative aims to break down barriers between asked to produce an illustrated A3 is thought to be caused in part by science and the arts. There is concern that innate curiosity Corticosteroids have been shown poster to inform their peer group prostaglandins. about the natural world is hammered out of children by to inhibit NK cell activity in vitro and about one important aspect of the role 11–14 age group winner the constraints of a dull and compartmentalized science Hormones also in vivo when measured more of microbes in climate change, such as than 24 hours after administration curriculum. Scientists too are often so specialized that they Adrenaline soil microbes, biogas or landfill. of the synthetic corticoid drug begin to lose the ability to communicate effectively with Over 60 schools took part in the Adrenaline, often known as the methylprednisolone. However, other different audiences. So scientists and children are brought competition, and in excess of 350 ‘flight or fight’ hormone, is produced studies have shown that NK cell together in a cross-disciplinary approach. The outcome posters were submitted. A panel of by the adrenal gland in response activity increases 4 hours after is charming; from sculptures of pollen grains to collages microbiology education experts made to physical activity. It is constantly cortisol is given. and haiku poems. It seems that everyone involved enjoyed produced in small amounts to up of MISAC members and SGM themselves immensely; after all, who can fail to be inspired Whilst it is known that during maintain normal blood pressure. staff carried out the judging. They by fractals or electron micrographs of Salmonella? intense physical exertion stress were impressed by the high quality During exercise, larger amounts of Now I am all in favour of creative work in science lessons, hormones temporarily lower of the entries and it was extremely the hormone are released into the but as a science teacher I have my concerns. This project immunity, further research is needed difficult to select the winning bloodstream where it prepares the certainly demonstrates that science is both fascinating and to determine how such exercise posters. Adjudication took account body for increased physical activity beautiful and as an inspirational tool it appears to have might influence NK cell activity. of originality, scientific content by speeding up the heart rate, been successful. It brought a drop of science into the Art and accuracy, presentation and the diverting blood flow to the muscles, Get a move on… and English curricul,a but I fear it did little to enhance the effectiveness of the poster as a means GCSE group winner widening the airways, dilating the The message from current research learning and understanding of scientific concepts. Maybe of communicating with peers. pupils and raising the blood sugar seems to be that moderate exercise Each school entering the competition received a pack of this was because some of the topics were too difficult for the Feedback from the teachers was level. does have a positive effect on the microbiology teaching resources, including the new SGM age group: your average 8-year-old will be none the wiser positive and many said how pleased Increased NK cell activity during immune system. So to keep colds at book The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Microbes which has about topoisomerases or the regulatory genes controlling they were to have an environmentally exercise may relate to adrenaline bay we should all go out for a brisk, been specifically written to engage this age group. Every meristems (just two of the themes). To illustrate my point based competition. As one teacher levels, since it has been shown that daily walk. student also received a certificate of entry. here is a poem written by a 9-year-old about DNA. declared, ‘most of the students think of the increase in activity occurs within Telephone wires tangling together, disease when I mention microbes’. Next year’s competition will be sponsored by the Society 15–30 minutes after subcutaneous Dariel Burdass for Applied Microbiology and an entry form will be Springs bouncing out of place, The winner of the 11–14 age range administration of adrenaline to SGM Education Manager downloadable from the MiSAC website (see above) in Spaghetti from a different galaxy, was Sophie Hill from Edgbaston healthy individuals. September. MiSAC wishes to express its sincere thanks to Spaghetti is crawling down your settee, High School, West Midlands, and Spaghetti is like telephone wires, Corticosteroids Further reading SGM for sponsorship of the competition. the winners of the GCSE age range Eat it in the car and your mum will go haywire. (Joe Evans, 9) Corticosteroids are a class of hormones Gleeson, M. (2007). Immune function were Eadie Shaw, Rosie Stewart The winning posters will be displayed at the SGM Nice poem, but where is the science? But there is a nagging with a wide range of physiological in sport and exercise. J Appl Physiol 103, and Sara Spiers, from St Nicholas autumn meeting at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh feeling in the back of my mind: maybe I am missing the functions that are produced in 693–699. School, Fleet, Hampshire. Further (7–10 September) where many members of the point. Maybe I am even part of the problem. the adrenal cortex. They include Gleeson, M. Maximising your immune details of the winners are available on microbiology community both from the UK and overseas glucocorticoids – the most important system and preventing infections. www. the SGM education website (www. will be able to view them. For more information visit www.sawtrust.org of which in humans is cortisol. abcc.co.uk/articles/immune1.html microbiologyonline.org.uk/misac). Dariel Burdass, SGM Education Manager Gemma Sims, Leighton Park School

154 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 155 As the Microbiology in Schools Advisory Committee reaches its 40th birthday Chairman John Grainger reflects on how it began and what the organization has achieved. MiSAC: a brief history

Origins have stood the test of time though Sponsorship was received from In the late 1960s as part of a with changes in emphasis according to Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), movement among the major UK current needs. Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) biological societies to establish means and Federation of of discussing problems arising from Organization Culture Collections (UKFCC) for the teaching of specialist aspects of The range of organizations limited periods, but financial support biology, the SGM held a symposium represented on MiSAC was promptly from SfAM and SGM continued Teaching microbiology in schools. enlarged to include the Association and became enhanced by regular Convened by Derek Smith (University for Science Education (ASE), sponsorship from BMS, CLEAPSS, of Birmingham) and chaired by John Association of Training Colleges Institute of Biology (IoB), National Norris (Shell Research Ltd), the and Departments of Education, Centre for Biotechnology Education outcome was a resolution to establish Department of Education and Science (NCBE) and Scottish Schools a joint committee of representatives of (DES), Public Health Laboratory Equipment Research Centre (SSERC). SGM, Society for Applied Bacteriology Service and Schools Council. Schools The present membership of MiSAC (SAB) and the British Mycological representation from DES through consists of a representative from m MiSAC 40th birthday celebrations. From left to right: John Schollar (NCBE), Sue Hunt (Kew), Brian Spooner (Kew), John Grainger (Chairman), Society (BMS) to promote and help HM Inspectorate of Schools was an each of these sponsors and others John Tranter (partially hidden), Margaret Whalley (BMS) and Janet Hurst (SGM). microbiology teaching in schools. unusual and invaluable link which appointed for their particular expertise in microbiology education. Elizabeth College, London, John Wray Invitations to advise on government professional organizations developed Thus began MiSAC in July 1969. began with a decidedly equivocal (Chelsea College, London) and Geoff booklets on the use of micro- their own career support activities. The aims were to publicize the reaction to MiSAC’s aspirations, Among those who guided MiSAC Holt (Polytechnic of Central London). organisms in schools published in relevance of microbiology in school but prospered until 1992 when through its early development, Links with these early years are 1977, 1985 and 1990, led to MiSAC Courses and conferences syllabuses, encourage practical work, HM Inspectorate was reduced in three people took on particularly maintained through present members becoming a recognized authority on Soon after MiSAC was established, promote the safe use of micro- numbers and its role changed. demanding roles, rotating the Peter Fry and John Grainger who safety in school microbiology, a status attention turned to providing training organisms, support teacher and Initially, basic administrative costs positions of Chairman and Secretary subsequently held various positions, maintained through involvement with for teachers in practical microbiology technician training, and promote were met by grants of £50 each between them for the first 10 years including that of Chairman. the current published authority, Topics and several well-attended, one-day career opportunities. These aims from SAB (later SfAM) and SGM. or so: Brian Bainbridge (Queen For the first decade, the administration in Safety (ASE, 2001). As MiSAC’s courses were organized in London was carried out by the officers, but this profile rose, the number of direct and Birmingham in the mid-1970s. arrangement was not sustainable. The enquiries from schools increased However, these became difficult MiSAC secretariat has since been IoB, and expanded from safety issues to to sustain and were replaced by a NCBE and, currently, SGM. MiSAC questions on the educational use of small grants scheme to encourage became a registered charity in 1984. micro-organisms, and collaborations microbiologists to give courses locally; developed with publishers, schools 15 such awards were made in the Advisory work suppliers, examination boards and 1980s. Training provision continued In 1973 a national network of MiSAC industry. a decade later when MiSAC chairman local advisers was created, consisting MiSAC members also helped to John Grainger and John Schollar, of members of BMS, SfAM and SGM promote microbiology as a career by Director of NCBE, were commissioned willing to provide advice to nearby writing articles for education, science by SGM to deliver courses in basic schools. The initiative prospered, and careers magazines, advising on practical microbiology for teachers but was disbanded in 2000, as the CRAC degree course guides on and technicians: 9 years on, these information became available on the a regular basis, and contributing to continue. web. MiSAC became a member of the 1985 and 1990 editions of the Eventually MiSAC felt that a more the Royal Society’s working group on SGM’s Careers in Microbiology. Need effective use of its members’ limited biotechnology education in 1982. for work in this area declined as other time would be to take part in

156 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 157 conferences rather than organize them. MiSAC factsheets was a new venture t was January 1979, and the SGM was meeting in Cardiff. In 1985 MiSAC had its first exhibition in 1998 resulting in 17 titles. Copies Microbiology The Society Dinner had gone well, with good food stand at the ASE Annual Conference. were produced in-house by SGM and pleasant conversation. The time had come for the This became a regular and rewarding for free distribution and also put on Society`s President, Peter Wildy, to rise and thank the commitment which expanded to joint the MiSAC website. In 2005, they in Schools meeting`s organizers, local hosts and speakers. Peter did sponsorship with SGM of talks in the progressed to being professionally this, commenting on the various parallel sessions. He Biology in the Real World programme, designed and printed, and re- Fund Ihad been unable to attend the Ecology Group’s session on and in 2009 to organizing a hands-on designated as MiSAC activities, MiSAC the Biosphere; a pity, because he was sure that he would have practical workshop as part of MiSAC’s briefings, MiSAC helps and MiSAC Teachers working in SGM member learnt a lot, as there was only one bio-sphere that he knew 40th anniversary year activities; matters. Preparing new titles in these schools are invited to apply for anything about. This, he said, had recently received adequate taking part in the annual IoB Scottish series is now a major activity. grants of up to £1,000 to support attention, and he described with his hand a generous curve Teachers Conference became another Looking back – and ahead microbiology teaching initiatives and in front of the abdomen. The Pathology Group’s session he regular feature. However, as costs to events. All topics in microbiology will had found of great interest, and had reflected on how many kitchen, “‘Ere Ma’am, I’ve found this ‘ere thing in the bonfire.” That MiSAC has reached its 40th exhibitors have escalated in recent be considered, but projects linked to once deadly diseases were now rare owing to progress in A few weeks later a second attempt at disposal was made. year is a tribute to the succession of years, MiSAC now takes a selective climate change, health and food are microbiology. And this, he said led to a story – a true story, A corner of the garden rarely visited by the gardener was officers and other committee members approach to attending such events. particularly encouraged. because he had no skill in the invention of after-dinner selected, a deep hole was dug, and the death mask reverently who have willingly given their time stories. buried at a depth that the gardener`s shallow probing was Projects and publications Applications are considered and expertise. Their commitment ‘There was once,’ said Peter, ‘a very good little boy. He unlikely to reach. However, a large and lively puppy had throughout the year, but should be In its early years, MiSAC published and the unfailing generosity of the was all that a good Victorian boy should be – neat, polite, recently been bought, and he too turned up in the kitchen, made no less than 3 months before book reviews and lists of audio-visual sponsoring organizations have enabled obedient and respectful to his elders. He ate his greens, proudly displaying his fascinating find.’ the planned activity. materials and drew up analyses of MiSAC to flourish, despite some took his cod liver oil, and learnt his Latin grammar without ‘My father and mother were keen sailors, and one day they school syllabuses, but the first major difficult periods, and remain key to its complaint. The little boy was clearly too good for this wrapped up the death mask, took it on their yacht into deep project undertaken was the production continuing endeavours in sustaining world, and in due course a nasty microbe, Corynebacterium water off the Isle of Wight, and cast it overboard. “At last”, my of slide-sets on 7 microbiological and extending the encouragingly diphtheriae, rectified matters. The paragon succumbed to mother said with relief, “and now for lunch”. She turned to her topics through Camera Talks in the sound position of microbiology in diphtheria, and his parents grieved. They had a death mask second package and opened it. There was the death mask. mid-1970s. school and college education. prepared. The years passed, and in due course the parents After these three unsuccessful attempts my parents gave up In 1984–85, SGM funded a project died, and the death mask passed to the little boy’s sister, my their attempts to dispose of the mask. It is now on top of my to develop a series of practical John Grainger mother. She said to my father, “I can’t bear this horrible thing. wardrobe, and the problem of disposal is mine. A pity,’ Peter activities for secondary schools under Chairman, Microbiology in Schools It must be disposed of, but that must be done reverently.” They concluded, ‘that microbiology was not more advanced in the the management of a MiSAC group. Advisory Committee (t 0118 926 put the object deep in a bonfire that was being prepared by 19th century’. Teacher Paul Wymer was seconded 7204; e j.m.grainger@reading. their jobbing gardener who, like many jobbing gardeners, to work with John Grainger at the ac.uk) was very good at making and watching bonfires, if little else. Michael J. Carlile University of Reading, resulting in The gardener was not quite satisfied with his preparations, SGM Meetings Secretary, 1977–1980 Practical Microbiology and Biotechnology and made rearrangements. As a result he turned up in the (e [email protected]) for Schools published by Macdonald Further reading Educational. An immediate Anon. (2001). Microbiology and consequence was funding through biotechnology. In: Topics in Safety, 3rd the Department of Trade and Industry edn, pp. 87–98, Hatfield: Assocation for (DTI) for them to found the National Science Education. After-dinner Centre for School Biotechnology Bainbridge, B.W. (1972). Microbiology (later re-named NCBE) at Reading in in Schools Advisory Committee. J Biol Edu 6, 207–210. speeches at SGM Diphtheria 1985. MiSAC later compiled Practical Microbiology for Secondary Schools, Grainger, J. & Hurst, J. (editors) (2002, published by SGM in 2002, as a 2005, 2007, 2009). Practical Microbiology meetings were successor to the Macdonald resource. for Secondary Schools Reading: SGM. Society for General Microbiology and a death The MiSAC Competition, begun in rather different in 1985, aims to reach students directly. (1972). Teaching microbiology in Each year it attracts up to 2,000 schools. J Biol Edu 2, 187–195. entries from the KS3 and KS4 (GCSE) Wymer, P. & Grainger, J. (1987). the ‘old days’, as age groups. Special sponsorship, Practical Microbiology and Biotechnology for mask – Peter currently from BMS, SfAM and SGM Schools. London: Macdonald Educational Michael Carlile in turn, provides money prizes for (out of print). students and their schools. www.microbiologyonline.org.uk/misac BananStock / Jupiter Images describes. Wildy’s Story

158 158 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 159 gradline

Gradline aims to inform and entertain members in the early poster format to a panel of judges. I was the lucky winner economic recession, the scientific world is still active and of the second prize this year with a poster entitled A threat vibrant and there are groups of passionate people working stages of their career in microbiology. If you have any news to our conkers? Characterization of the horse chestnut bleeding hard to highlight and communicate the work of young canker pathogen, a research project supervised by Dr Robert researchers and give them these great opportunities. or stories, or would like to see any topics featured, contact Jackson (my PhD tutor at Reading). This prestigious prize Organizations such as the BBSRC and societies like the SGM brought a lot of publicity and attention to our research. really do offer postgraduates the opportunity to do more Jane Westwell (e [email protected]). At the House of Commons I had the opportunity to speak than just research; they offer us tools to realize our goals to Reading’s MP Robert Wilson, who communicated and reach our dreams. Personally I hope that my scientific my research to the local media. Being in the House of contribution will allow me give something back to this Commons and being able to discuss the research done in country that has already given me so much. the University of Reading was an amazing experience! I hope I have communicated how important these Federico Dorati The island of experiences were for me. Even if we are in a period of (e [email protected]) opportunity In the melting pot As a PhD student from overseas, Federico Dorati shares out of 73 that made it through to the national finals in London. Our Crucible (www.nesta.org.uk/crucible), organized by National Endowment about how various organizations work. with readers his experiences of some UK schemes that proposal for a hypothetical company Scheme for Science Technology and Arts, brings together early- and mid- It was refreshing to talk about science called Ovega and its revolutionary with people outside of my subject have been a great boost to his personal development. career researchers in three weekend workshops to explore issues such new product which aims to produce area and to find areas of common vegetarian Omega-3 oil from food as creativity, policy-making, communication and public engagement. interest. By the end of the weekend I am Italian, and in 2007 I moved to commercialization of bioscience industry waste impressed the judges. Participants, who come from the arts, humanities, technology and sciences, I was buzzing with new ideas and Reading to do a PhD in Microbiology. ideas among postgraduates/postdocs. We won! We received a prize of had made an exciting group of new Two exciting years have already flown Participation is free; you just need an have the opportunity to explore ideas outside their own discipline and £1,000 and a trip to Houston, Texas. friends. We have continued to get to by and I have been very lucky during idea which is scientifically ‘possible’ Whilst there we presented our develop new collaborations. SGM member Mark Clements, senior lecturer know each other through an online this period, both professionally and (whether or not it’s real) that could company at the RICE Business Plan in biotechnology at University of Westminster and part of the 2009 cohort network forum which has facilitated personally, because here in England potentially be sold to industry. The Competition, the biggest business/ the sharing of ideas emerging from I have had the opportunity to find a preliminary phase is based on a 3-day shares his impressions of the first weekend workshop. science-based competition in the the first camp. Crucible has exceeded system of serious institutions and great workshop where the participating world, where all the companies that I first heard about Crucible through The first session involved each my expectations and I am really people that allow me to express myself teams have the opportunity to learn were participating were real. I can’t my Dean of School, but my interest participant presenting a poster looking forward to the next weekend and which can help me transform my about business and acquire the describe how exciting and interesting really grew after watching a video about themself, including personal where we are going to explore ways to research into something more. I would knowledge to build a real company it was to be there; the organization is about the programme via the NESTA and professional interests, to break develop cross-disciplinary ideas. particularly like to tell you about two around their idea. During the meeting extraordinary and so are the people website. It looked like a fun way to the ice. Initially, I wondered what a competitions, Biotechnology YES and I met people from the BBSRC (the Mark Clements and the professional experience. It meet fellow scientists from a wide palaeontologist, sociologist, chemist, SET for Britain; participating in these organizers of the event) and I had the (e [email protected]) truly made me realize how many range of disciplines. The application physicist, archaeologist and myself has literally changed my life. By writing opportunity to talk with scientists that opportunities there are in life and process was straightforward, and I was could have in common, but it was this I hope to be able to communicate started their own business. I learnt a what a pity it would be to miss them, very excited when I heard I had been clear we all had a passion for our not just my gratitude to the scientific lot about communicating science to just because we are intimidated and selected for the programme. subjects and an open-minded desire community and the organizers of these a wide audience (many businessmen think that what we are doing is not I went to first innovation camp to breakdown conventional discipline wonderful events, but also to convince are not scientists) and realized that ‘good enough’. weekend with trepidation as I was not boundaries to generate new ideas. young scientists like me to participate research is not only successful if it’s sure what to expect, and I was going We explored ways of engaging the too. Science doesn’t finish on the published, as its potential can be SET for Britain to spend a long weekend with 30 public with our research as well as bench – it can go much further… exploited in different ways. SET for Britain (www.setforbritain. people I had never met before. Upon how to get involved with the media I was part of a team of bioscientists org.uk/) is a scientific poster-based arrival, however, my reservations and other communication-based Biotechnology YES from the University of Reading competition, organized to encourage soon evaporated due to the well- organizations. We also examined our Biotechnology YES (Young (Nadia Abed, Joao Lopes, Cristina and promote early-stage career designed programme and the expert role in influencing government policy Entrepreneurs Scheme – www. Fante, Abby Thompson and myself, research scientists.The 1-day-long facilitation of writer and broadcaster and the mechanisms by which we biotechnologyyes.co.uk/index.html) mentored by Samantha Decombel). competition is held in the House of Vivienne Parry (former Tomorrow’s can do this. Each session was led by is a science/business competition We were lucky enough (and worked Commons. After abstract selection, World presenter) who made the whole a panel of experts who shared their developed to raise awareness of the hard enough!) to be one of 14 teams the best 60 works are presented in weekend stimulating and fun. experiences and gave practical tips

160 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 161 Profile I had been anticipating a possible literature and techniques in the and non-teaching days. I teach faculty position opening for about new research area, but I was able 2 days a week, and the bulk of the Present occupation A job in… 2 years, considering the steady to overcome this over time, by time on those days is spent on Assistant Professor in Molecular growth in the scope of the nutrition extensive reading and the help of lecture preparation and delivery. and Cellular Nutrition, Texas State programme in the department. I met my colleagues and faculty mentor. University Research in the USA On ‘non-teaching’ days, my time the department chair informally to In the current research environment is spent on research-related activities Previous employment express my interest in any positions I have found my multidisciplinary such as meeting graduate students, If you are planning your next career move, you might be considering a New York University Medical that might open up. I applied for training to be an asset rather than following up on research progress, Center, 2004–2007 period of postdoctoral research in the USA. Although the current economic this post and underwent a two- a drawback. analysing data, planning new I worked on an NIH-funded study climate is having an impact on recruitment in the USA, there are still some stage interview process; a telephone experiments, review of manuscripts, aimed at understanding how dietary opportunities. Catherine Armstrong outlines the current situation on the interview followed by an on-site What workplace cultural catching up on literature and writing oils exert their beneficial lipid- jobs.ac.uk website. interview which was a gruelling Q differences have you noticed up research for publication. lowering effects. One way fish oils all-day process. It included a in the countries you have studied At this stage of my career, I are able to do so is by reducing teaching presentation and research Vatsala Maitin’s profile shows how a combination of careful planning, and worked in? How easy was it spend a lot of time on identifying the output of very low density presentation, including a research to adapt? networking and planned happenstance (covered in the last issue of Gradline) and applying for funding. I do not lipoproteins (VLDL) by the liver. proposal for my own lab if hired. My transition to PhD research was teach in summer, so I use this block These lipoproteins are the precursor can lead to achieving career goals. I was interviewed by two different fairly smooth as the Indian education of time to focus on research, writing to ‘bad’ LDL-cholesterol and also committees, the college dean and is closely modelled on the UK system. associated with raised plasma and idea-development. In addition, What influenced your choice of the department chair. Following I also benefited from the prior triglycerides. My project investigated I have to spend a few hours each PhD project? negotiations on the lab start-up experiences of my father who also the effect of fish oils on the various Q month on commitee work and It was governed by a combination package, equipment needs and got his PhD in the UK. A feature of stages of VLDL assembly in liver cells administrative duties. salary, an informal offer was the UK system was the emphasis on in order to elucidate the molecular of factors, including my research interests, prior exposure to published extended to me via email outlining the ability to work independently to mechanism of reduced VLDL output. the conditions of employment. This What is rewarding about research from the supervisor’s lab and drive a project. This was hard to your job? being awarded a Felix scholarship was followed by a formal letter in adapt to at first, but has really Q University of Reading, 2003–2004 Aside from the joy and stimulation Short-term contract on a BBSRC- and Overseas Research Student the mail. helped me in my career. of driving new research ideas, the funded study aimed at understanding award to support my PhD studies You have worked in Compared to the UK, I have found most rewarding part of my job is how different dietary fats influence at the University of Reading. As an different research fields – the work environment in the USA to be able to really engage some lipoprotein composition and the undergraduate and master’s student, Q was this planned? to be considerably more demanding, students and get them excited about progression of atherosclerosis. I had a keen interest in microbial competitive and regimented, The course of my research has a career in research. When I am able biotechnology and also gained some especially in big cities with multiple Education certainly been very varied, spanning to spark that kind of interest, it research experience in the area of premier institutions. There is an PhD, Food Biotechnology, biotechnology, enzymology and is really satisfying. I also enjoy microbial enzymes. Fortunately, the expectation to consistently perform University of Reading, 2003 basic cell biology. For the most part, contributing to students’ career project matched my interests well at the highest level and one cannot My project was aimed at synthesizing this was circumstantial rather than development. and had considerable prophylactic rest on one’s laurels. While it does ‘anti-adhesive’ oligosaccharides planned. My foray into lipoprotein potential, making it an attractive lead to high productivity it can be a with defined structures to mimic research happened due to the How do you see your subject for a PhD . little stressful at times. The academic the biological receptors of certain departure of the assigned postdoc future? tenure process is much longer and Q gut pathogens. The goal was to use How did you go about one year before the end of the Over the next few years, I hope these sugars as decoys for pathogen uncertain compared to the UK, Q finding your postdoc in America? project, which coincided with to establish a well-funded and well- attachment, thus preventing bacterial lasting about 6–7 years. I took two different approaches: publication output, was in a renowned the completion of my PhD. This published research laboratory and attachment to their real receptors in On the plus side, networking and sending open applications to a faculty institution and offered good potential serendipitous occurrence not only carve a niche for myself in my the gut and subsequent infection. I collaborations are easier since most whose research I was interested in, for collaboration and networking. I allowed me to work on a very research area. developed enhanced enzyme-based and responding to advertised positions accepted this position after conferring exciting project, but also helped professors are very approachable techniques for the synthesis of these of interest. As an international with both my mentors at Reading who lay the foundation to my postdoc and helpful. Funding opportunities decoy sugars at higher yields and position in New York and my and salaries are also slightly better Further information purity. applicant, I also needed faculty supported my decision. support for a visa to work in the USA. present faculty position. than elsewhere www.jobs.ac.uk/careers/articles/ MSc, Food Technology, Central Food I obtained the postdoc by responding How did you obtain your 1250/Staffing_Crisis_the_US Technological Research Institute, to an advert in New Scientist. The Q faculty position? It sounds quite Can you describe a typical Staffing Crisis: the US by Dr Catherine Mysore, India, 1999 principal investigator in offered me I heard about this post through my Q challenging Q day? Armstrong BSc Microbiology, Mount Carmel a 3-year contract along with a secure spouse, who was already a faculty The main challenge I faced was During semesters, my week is www.txstate.edu College, Bangalore, India, 1997 visa status. The lab had a good member in my current department. lacking in-depth knowledge of usually organized into teaching Texas State University

162 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 163 goingpublic

SGM aims to promote microbiology to a wide range of audiences. b Joanna Heaton with a pupil at an outreach workshop. J. Heaton In this issue we react swiftly to the worldwide ’flu outbreak, find out . Bug. J. Heaton how carrying out public engagement activities changed the lives of Joanna Heaton, both an undergraduate and postgraduate student of microbiology, first winner of the listen in to a podcast on STIs, and explore the Greenland ice. new Education Division Dariel Burdass is taking over the SGM half of the joint Outreach Award, podcasting activity with Lucy Harper of Society for Applied Swine ’flu sponsored by Yakult, Microbiology. She describes the latest broadcast. Why not check briefing it out, download the file and listen in? tells us how her involvement in public In response to the current outbreak of swine ’flu, which Micropodonline returns engagement led to a shows no sign of abating, the SGM External Relations Office, www.micropodonline.com new career. with the help of ’flu expert Wendy Safe sex – for rashes or blisters because many Barclay, put together a one page who needs to be educated? people have no symptoms but are still information sheet about the infectious. infection. Micropodonline, the microbiology podcast is back. Dariel and Lucy talk In this episode of Micropodonline, to Prize-winning outreach about sex, relaying the news that be released soon, Lucy discusses STIs people over 45 are putting themselves in general, how they are transmitted at risk of sexually transmitted infections and how we can protect ourselves, with As a postgrad, my first outreach I then successfully applied for Don’t miss Jo’s talk at the SGM autumn (STIs) by not taking precautions. A Dr David White, a consultant Genito- workshop involved smelly sewage funding from The Wellcome Trust to meeting – on Tuesday, 8 September survey by the Royal Pharmaceutical Urinary Medicine clinician based biofilms, swearing sixth formers run a series of workshops, Superhero at Heriot-Watt University. It’s called Society of Great Britain found that of at Birmingham Heartlands and a promise to myself never to Superbug and having this on my CV Schools, Spiderman and Superbugs; the 2,000 adults they surveyed about Hospital. She also talks bother with that again! But after secured me a knowledge transfer Communicating Microbiology at their sexual practices, nearly a fifth of to David about finding out that the group had loved position at the University of Central Primary Level and she hopes to inspire those between 45 and 54 years old his speciality – it, and had actually learnt something Lancashire, straight from my PhD. the audience to get out and promote admitted to having unprotected sex vaginal too, I didn’t hesitate in offering more microbes to little people. with someone other than their long- thrush. workshops when the opportunity I’m now Educational Liaison Co- term partner. And with the number of came up. It was great experience ordinator at the University of Central diagnoses of STIs among under 16s in during my PhD, improving my Lancashire (UCLan), developing England rising 58% from 2,474 cases communication skills and constantly outreach workshops across the in 2003 to 3,913 in 2007, it is obvious reminding me of my own passion Faculty of Science and Technology that we all need to take on board the for microbiology. and sourcing external funding. I’m still running plenty of microbiology important message that safe sex pays. I spent the second summer of my workshops, and my fifth summer Any individual who engages in PhD co-ordinating a 2-week summer school, but also get to build rockets, unprotected intimate sexual contact is school course, Disease Detectives, understand the maths behind putting themselves at risk of catching covering both microbiology and hovercrafts and investigate crime an STI. STIs don’t care if you are young molecular biology. This included a scenes too. This has been distributed to all or old, male or female, straight, gay mock food-poisoning outbreak and UK secondary schools and also or lesbian – they don’t discriminate. murder, plus a trip to a sewage works, to parliamentarians and other You don’t have to be promiscuous – the microbiology rap, lab macarena Joanna Heaton policymakers in the UK. having unprotected sex just once with and countless ‘wow’ moments. I Educational Liaison Coordinator, Copies are freely available. an infected individual puts you at came back to the bench with renewed Faculty of Science and Technology, Contact [email protected] if you risk. And you can’t tell if someone is enthusiasm and not a sign of those University of Central Lancashire

would like one. infected by just looking at their genitals Stockxpert / Jupiter Images second-year blues. (e [email protected])

164 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 165 With over 11,000 hits on ‘Google’ life angle and the revival aspect. The The point of issuing press releases SGM press releases and numerous articles in newspapers most extreme headline for the former such as these is, that if taken up by The full text of the press release The SGM issues press releases from research papers in ranging from the Independent to the seen so far was in the Metro which the media, they reach wide audiences www.sgm.ac.uk/news/releases/IJS.0609.JLC.cfm its journals and also from presentations at Society meetings. Sun, research findings published in shouted ‘Bug could hold key to alien and help to spread the word about No releases are produced without the authors’ consent. the June issue of the International life’, but which went on to report the the exciting world of micro-organisms Authors are consulted at all stages of the process and do A tiny frozen microbe may hold clues to Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary story responsibly, despite the opening and the research that is being carried not go out until approved, embargoed as necessary. We extraterrestrial life Microbiology attracted attention all words ‘In an experiment that could out into these fascinating life-forms. do not aim to sensationalize, but we do have to make around the world. Microbiologists come straight from a science fiction Authors who are approached by A novel bacterium that has been trapped more than the story interesting and relevant. SGM press releases are Jennifer Loveland-Curtze, Vanya film, scientists have awoken a tiny bug the SGM for permission to produce 3 km under glacial ice in Greenland for over 120,000 produced either in-house by a staff press officer, or media I. Miteva and Jean E. Brenchley of found deep under the Greenland ice a media release about their work years, may hold clues as to what life forms might exist consultants such as Dianne Stilwell, who was responsible Pennsylvania State University isolated a from a 120,000-year sleep’. The Sun, should not be scared. In practice, on other planets. for the Greenland story covered here. If you think your novel species of bacteria from deep in often vilified for its stories, also got most articles repeat the words of the Dr Jennifer Loveland-Curtze and a team of scientists research is worthy of publicity, let us know by emailing the glacial ice in Greenland. It took the the science right, even though they release to a greater or lesser extent, from Pennsylvania State University report finding the [email protected] scientists nearly a year of incubation at described ‘boffins bringing a bug back and so if crafted carefully by a media novel microbe, which they have called Herminiimonas low temperatures to coax the dormant to life’. They gave the full name of professional, as SGM ones are, can Janet Hurst glaciei, in the current issue of the International Journal microbes back to life, after being the novel species correctly and added only provide good publicity for a External Relations Manager of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. The team trapped for an estimated 120,000 an interesting quote from a scientist scientist and their lab. When trying showed great patience in coaxing the dormant microbe years. The bacteria are very small involved in the Mars Express mission to disseminate your findings, how do Reference back to life; first incubating their samples at 2°C for 7 and purple-brown in colour. They who thinks that alien microbes are 11,000 hits on Google compare with months and then at 5°C for a further 4.5 months, after Loveland-Curtze, J., Miteva, V.I. & Brenchley, J.E. (2009). have been named a tongue-twisting lying dormant in ice on Mars and the fact that a published scientific Herminiimonas glaciei sp. nov., a novel ultramicrobacterium from which colonies of very small purple-brown bacteria Herminiimonas glacei. wants to blast a crater in the area to paper is read only four times on 3042 m deep Greenland glacial ice. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 59, were seen. H. glacei is 50 times smaller than take samples to test. average? 1272–1277. H. glaciei is small even by bacterial standards – it is Escherichia coli and is known as an 10 to 50 times smaller than E. coli. Its small size probably ultramicrobacterium. It can pass helped it to survive in the liquid veins among ice crystals through a 0.2 micron filter, the pore and the thin liquid film on their surfaces. Small cell size is size used to sterilize laboratory fluids, considered to be advantageous for more efficient nutrient but it is not harmful to humans. uptake, protection against predators and occupation of The tiny size is believed to be key Greenland micro-niches and it has been shown that ultramicrobacteria to the survival of the bacteria in are dominant in many soil and marine environments. the liquid veins among ice crystals Most life on our planet has always consisted of micro- and the thin films on their surfaces. organisms, so it is reasonable to consider that this might Ultramicrobacteria can survive on low ice bacteria be true on other planets as well. Studying micro-organisms levels of nutrients and oxygen. living under extreme conditions on Earth may provide Although this story is intrinsically insight into what sorts of life forms could survive elsewhere interesting, and the bacterium was in the solar system. dubbed the ‘Resurrection bug’ by hit the ‘These extremely cold environments are the best analogues New Scientist, it probably caught of possible extraterrestrial habitats’, said Dr Loveland- the eye of the press because of the Curtze. ‘The exceptionally low temperatures can preserve potential link between the habitat cells and nucleic acids for even millions of years. H. glaciei of the newly described bacteria and headlines is one of just a handful of officially described ultra-small extraterrestrial environments. The species and the only one so far from the Greenland ice sheet; researchers speculated that the ability studying these bacteria can provide insights into how cells of the microbes to survive in a glacier can survive and even grow under extremely harsh conditions, for so long means that similar life- The SGM policy to promote microbiology and such as temperatures down to –56°C, little oxygen, low forms could have evolved and survived nutrients, high pressure and limited space.’ in extreme environments on planets its journals through regular media releases on ‘H. glaciei isn’t a pathogen and is not harmful to humans’, such as Mars or Europa, an ice-covered Dr Loveland-Curtze added, ‘but it can pass through a moon of Jupiter. They believe that selected papers works well, but recently a story 0.2 micron filter, which is the filter pore size commonly used cells and DNA can be preserved at in sterilization of fluids in laboratories and hospitals. If there exceptionally low temperatures for really went global. are other ultra-small bacteria that are pathogens, then they even millions of years. could be present in solutions presumed to be sterile. In a The headlines for the story were clear solution very tiny cells might grow but not create the polarized between the extraterrestrial density sufficient to make the solution cloudy’.

166 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 167 addresses

Recent UEA graduate Jaeger Hamilton council08–09 helped with an SGM-funded project to set up Officers Members an online photographic resource about fungi. President – Prof. Robin Weiss Prof. Mike R. Barer Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Jane Westwell asked him how he got involved 46 Cleveland Street, London W1T 4JF Medical Sciences Building, PO Box 138, University Road, t–0207 679 9554;–f–0207 679 9555;–e–[email protected] Leicester LE1 9HN and what he gained from the experience. t–0116 252 2933;–f–0116 252 5030;–e–[email protected] Treasurer – Prof. Colin R. Harwood School of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University Dr David J. Blackbourn of Newcastle Medical School, Framlington Place, University of Birmingham, Cancer Research UK Institute for Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH Cancer Studies, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT t–0191 222 7708;–f–0191 222 7736 t–0121 415 8804;–f–0121 414 4486 Fungi for e–[email protected] e–[email protected] General Secretary – Dr Ulrich Desselberger Prof. Neil A. R. Gow Dept of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Level 5, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD t–01223 763403;–e–[email protected] or t–01224 555879;–f–01224 555844;–e–[email protected] [email protected] everyone Dr Richard M. Hall Scientific Meetings Officer – Prof. Hilary M. Lappin-Scott GlaxoSmithKline Biopharm R&D, Gunnels Wood Road, I noticed you worked with Kay preconditions to make it possible, but What have you liked most Room 11, Main Arts Building, Bangor University, College Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY QYeoman on a public engagement once underway the learning activity Qabout being a student? Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG t–01438 762735; e–[email protected] project. How did you get involved? had a logic of its own. e–[email protected] I think my experience of everything Dr Kim R. Hardie I have been involved with a couple has been enhanced by studying What was the most challenging International Secretary – Prof. George P. C. Salmond University of Nottingham, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, of Kay’s outreach events, most microbiology. I think that science has a Qaspect? Dept of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD recently as part of a module in certain austere beauty that appeals to Road, Building O, Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 1QW t–0115 846 7958;–f–0115 586 7950 Trying to understand the learning science communication. I was asked me. It has certainly permeated many t–01223 333650;–f–01223 766108 e–[email protected] needs of others in a very small frame to organize a science-learning event areas of my thoughts. e–[email protected] as part of the National Science and of time. I tried to be attentive to Prof. Mark Harris What are your plans for the Engineering Week held at the Norwich the individual needs of the learner, Education Officer – Dr Susan J. Assinder Institute of Molecular & Cellular Microbiology, Faculty future? Castle Museum. My event was based whether that was subjective reflection, Q Director of Education, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds on having fun with microscopes and or theoretical information, or simply I’m starting a Wellcome Trust Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA LS2 9JT observing micro-organisms such as to have the space to contemplate. I PhD at the University of Dundee t–0151 705 2515;–e–[email protected] t–0113 343 5632;–e–[email protected] was very aware of tailoring my event in September. I’m looking forward the water mould Saprolegnia and a Editor, Microbiology Today – Dr Matt Hutchings Dr Paul A. Hoskisson myriad of other beautiful creatures to different learning styles (using to learning lots of new techniques, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, David A. Kolb’s ‘experential’ learning meeting new people and pushing my that associate with it, such as rotifers, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ University of Strathclyde, 204 George Street, Glasgow model): activists learn by doing, so understanding further. Vorticella and Paramecia. t–01603 592257;–e–[email protected] G1 1XW the event had to involve activity; What did you enjoy most about t–0141 548 2819;–e–[email protected] theorists like to incorporate their Editor-in-Chief, Microbiology – Prof. Charles J. Dorman Qthis? Jane Westwell experiences into general schemes, so External Relations Office Dept of Microbiology, Moyne Institute, Trinity College, Dr Catherine O’Reilly My objective was to facilitate an I had to ensure there was something Dublin 2, Ireland Dept of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute open learning process; it had as much of a theoretical framework behind the t–+353 1 608 2013;–f–+353 1 679 9294;–e–[email protected] of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford, Ireland to do with what the learner brought to A report of Kay Yeoman and Jaeger event; pragmatic learners would want t–+353 51 302858;–f–+353 51 378292;–e–[email protected] the table as it did my own experience. Hamilton’s ‘joy of fungi’ project Editor-in-Chief, JGV – Prof. Richard M. Elliott to know how this knowledge could So above all I enjoyed the sense of appeared in the February 2009 issue of Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Biology, University Prof. Petra C. F. Oyston be applied, and reflective learners creating something new with someone Microbiology Today (pp. 54–57). You of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST TL Molecular Bacteriology, Dstl, B07A Microbiology, would need lots to contemplate from else. can visit the website at http://biobis. t–01334 463396;–e–[email protected] Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ a distance without being embroiled in bio.uea.ac.uk/fungi/index.html t–01980 613641;–f–01980 614307;–e–[email protected] Did anything surprise the action. So shaping an event that Editor-in-Chief, JMM – Prof. Charles W. Penn you? Q would appeal to different learners Up to £5,000 is available for School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Dr Gary Rowley I was surprised by the extent to was the most challenging aspect – but projects from the SGM’s Education Birmingham B15 2TT School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, which I was swept up in other peoples’ this was part of what made the whole Development Fund. See www.sgm. t–0121 414 6562;–f–0121 414 5925 Norwich NR4 7TJ learning. It was as though I set the experience rewarding. ac.uk/grants/dtf.cfm for details e–[email protected] t–01603 592889;–e–[email protected]

168 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 169 hotoffthepress

Science writer Meriel Jones takes a look at some recent Spore wars papers in SGM journals which highlight new and exciting Cote, C.K., Bozue, J., Twenhafel, N. & Welkos, S.L. (2009). Effects of altering the germination potential of Bacillus anthracis spores by exogenous means in a mouse developments in microbiological research. model. J Med Microbiol 58, 816–825 The disease anthrax is caused by the was any effect after the spores had been bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It is a soaked in the chemicals before they Warts and all highly infectious animal disease, usually were inhaled by mice. AAC reduced caught as a skin infection by humans the lethality of the infections, suggesting Waterboer, T., Neale, R., Michael, K.M., Sehr, P., de Koning, from handling infected animals. If that the germination process itself affects M.N.C., Weißenborn, S.J., Sampogna, F., Abeni, D., Green, untreated, about one-fifth of patients the severity of the disease. However, the A.C., Bouwes Bavinck, J.N., Pawlita, M. and the EPI-HPV- die. There are 20,000–100,000 cases effects of soaking in d-alanine, a potent UV-CA Group (2009). Antibody responses to 26 skin human of anthrax each year around the world, germination inhibitor, did not make papillomavirus types in the Netherlands, Italy and Australia. most of which are skin infections. the spores any less lethal, and might J Gen Virol 90, 1986–1998. However, some infections are caused actually have made it more intense. Researchers have characterized over 100 different types of by breathing in bacterial spores from In real life, any therapy will have human papillomaviruses (HPV) and there are certainly many animal products like untreated wool and to begin once the spores are in the more. They infect the surfaces of the body, including skin skins. This is almost always fatal unless lungs, so the researchers tested the and the linings of the mouth and genitals. Some types are treated promptly, and as few as 8,000 consequences of inhaling the chemicals unfortunately well known because they cause cervical cancer, spores can set up a lethal infection. after the B. anthracis spores. To their while others are associated with harmless skin warts. The The tiny spores have an amazing ability surprise, this time AAC intensified the role, if any, of other HPVs in human cancer remains to be to survive adverse circumstances infection and reduced the time the mice identified. and remain viable for decades. These survived while d-alanine had a small properties are the reason why anthrax Ultraviolet (UV) light is the main cause of skin cancer. There beneficial effect in the early stages of was developed from the 1940s to 1969 are several types of skin cancer and one of them, cutaneous infection. for biological warfare by many countries, squamous cell carcinoma, has been associated with the beta including the USA and UK. Since this The outcome from these experiments types of HPV. However, this occurs in a small number of time, research has continued to develop is that the researchers were unable to people who either suffer from a rare genetic complaint or are better protection strategies for both do anything to give a more favourable receiving immunosuppressive treatment because they have civilians and military personnel. disease outcome. Germinating spores been given an organ transplant. A big question for researchers are clearly less likely to cause a fatal is whether beta HPV types have any role in development of Antibiotics are a very effective therapy infection than inactive ones, because this cancer among the vast majority of people who have a against anthrax, but the bacterial spores they become vulnerable to the body’s fully functioning immune system. Surprisingly, little is known are immune until they germinate. Once immune system. However, once the about HPV infections in otherwise healthy adults and an inhaled, the spores remain deep within spores are in the body, they will release international collaboration of scientists has set out to remedy the lungs or can be taken up by cells soon after they germinate, this. of the immune system and distributed whether this happens naturally or is around the body. The big problem is induced by chemicals like AAC. A Research groups in Germany, Australia, the Netherlands and that they release toxins that damage Italy collaborated to carry out the biggest study so far into the germination inhibitor like d-alanine m Light micrograph of cells infected with HPV. Biomedical Imaging the surrounding tissue as soon as they may actually protect the pathogen natural history of HPV. The German researchers had a method Unit, Southampton General Hospital / Science Photo Library germinate, thus starting the fatal disease. to rapidly identify antibodies to 26 different HPV types and from the body’s defences by forcing it Researchers know that the germination to stay in a protected, inactive state. they analysed 807 samples from healthy Italians, Australians the sun than the other volunteers, probably due to increased of B. anthracis spores is slowed or During this time, the spores can be and people from the Netherlands. The results made it very public awareness of the risk of skin cancer from sun exposure. accelerated by several chemicals. carried around the body and deposited clear that the three countries were very similar in the levels Using all this information, the researchers calculated that the The amino acid d-alanine inhibits in several organs. Unfortunately, the of HPV infections and the viral types that caused them. The differences in amount of and exposure to UV light did not germination, while a mixture of inhibition will eventually wear off gender of each person made a much bigger difference, with explain any differences in HPV infection. l-alanine, adenosine and Casamino and the spores will then germinate to men more likely to be infected than women. The results of this large survey show that the distribution of acids (AAC) initiates germination. initiate infection all round the body An obvious difference between the three countries was the beta HPV types in people of European descent is probably These are effective in the laboratory and resulting in a more virulent disease. The amount, and intensity, of sunshine and the UV light within similar all round the world. Most healthy people carry at researchers in the USA have now tested researchers will have to think further for it. The researchers estimated that 1 hour of sun exposure in least one type of the virus and some have antibodies to HPV, whether there is an effect on spores an effective strategy that aids treatment Italy was about twice as intense as in the Netherlands and indicating that their immune system has recognized it. If HPV within lungs. They first checked that the for inhalation anthrax. about half that of Australia. All the volunteers had filled in has any role at all in skin cancer, it must be acting together chemicals themselves did not have an with other factors such as UV exposure or an individual’s adverse effect when breathed as aerosols questionnaires about topics such as how much they went c Electron micrograph of Bacillus anthracis out in the sun and whether they had had painful sunburns. genetic characteristics, with the latter being probably much or dripped into the nose in a solution. spores. Scott Camazine / Science Photo Interestingly, the Australians reported spending less time in more important. The next step was to see whether there Library

170 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 171 reviews

Mining novel species If you would like your name to be added to our database of Doerfert, S.N., Reichlen, M., Iyer, book reviewers, please complete the book reviewer interests P., Wang, M. & Ferry, J.G. (2009). Methanolobus zinderi sp. nov., a form at www.sgm.ac.uk. A classified compendium of reviews methylotrophic methanogen isolated from 1996 to the present is also available on the website. from a deep subsurface coal seam. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 59, 1064– 1069. Gene and Cell Therapy: are still very much in their infancy. The strategies are related and in some Bacteria will live anywhere on this Therapeutic Mechanisms cases, there is distinct overlap in the planet where they can find a source of and Strategies, 3rd edn technologies. As these approaches are nutrients. Access to adequate carbon Edited by N. Smyth Templeton still relatively new ones, the emphasis is essential and coal is, of course, solid Published by CRC Press / of this book, and of others in the area, m carbon, but does not usually spring to Cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. David Scharf / Science Photo Library Taylor & Francis Group (2008) is the development of the technology in mind as a good material for bacteria US$229.95 pp. 1,160 vitro and pre-clinical studies. to feed on. One of the hazards of coal Starvation stress in yeast ISBN 0-84938-768-5 mining is explosive gases, including This book, now in its third edition, In very simplistic terms, disease Zhang, N., Wu, J. & Oliver, S.G. (2009). Gis1 is required for transcriptional methane, and it is known that some attempts to present the latest results from cellular malfunction. reprogramming of carbon metabolism and the stress response during transition of this gas is of biological origin. developments in the field. The first Even when the body is infected with into stationary phase in yeast. Microbiology 155, 1690–1698 edition was published in 2000 and I’m James Ferry and his colleagues in the a bacterium or virus, for example, sure, with the speed at which progress is surprising considering the efficiency The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, respond appropriately once all USA have therefore been searching symptoms often result from effects of being made, that it will not be too long with which viruses transfer genes used for producing beer and bread, the carbon runs out. The Gis1 protein for bacterial life in coal mines. They the agent on normal processes of the before someone is reviewing edition between cells. It is a little surprising, was the first eukaryote to have its functions as a transcription factor, have discovered that there are many cell. Conventional treatments rely on number 4! Although there has been however, that there is little mention of genome completely sequenced. This was meaning that it can interact with both novel species in these deep subsurface the delivery of small molecule drugs much more progress with gene-based the use of viruses to deliver shRNAs finished in 1996, although researchers DNA and protein in the nucleus to alter environments, but most can only be to the site of action, with a view to strategies, it is disappointing that so for down-regulating the expression continue to update the information usage of genes. It switches some genes recovered as traces of DNA, rather modifying the disease process, often by little of the text is devoted to cell-based of pathology-associated genes or weekly. One consequence is that there on and others off, recognizing them than living cells. There is substantial interacting with cellular proteins within, approaches – so little, I would say, that indeed vaccines (both prophylactic is now immense knowledge about how through a DNA sequence near to each interest in the USA in enhancing the or on the plasma membrane. Gene- and it is difficult to justify its mention in the and therapeutic ones). Moreover, this single-celled organism works, but gene that it regulates. A second protein, biological production of methane cell-based approaches are much more book title! Indeed, I have yet to come considering the level of detail on important features are still unknown. Rim15p, is also required, probably by from coal as a future fuel source. fundamental. A gene-based approach across a single book that adequately technical issues such as vector design For example, when yeast grows in its relaying signals when nutrient stress is Studying the bacteria that carry out acts by manipulating the genes so that covers both of these approaches. One and production, perhaps areas such as typical environment with glucose as becoming serious. this conversion is necessary to different proteins are expressed in chapter describes the use of embryonic safety and intellectual property could a source of nutrition, it grows rapidly, optimize the process. have been described in greater detail. The researchers had already discovered the cell or are expressed in different stem cells in regenerative medicine producing ethanol as a waste product. that a set of 17 genes was always This team have now reported the amounts, in an attempt to bring about a and tissue engineering, but this does A collection of colour plates, The carbon atoms from the glucose activated when yeast cells were starved culture of a strain of bacteria called therapeutic effect. A cell-based approach not do justice to the vast potential corresponding to some of the black are essential for constructing new of any of the major nutrients such as SD1T from the Wilcox coal beds in takes things a step further, by replacing of such an approach. The book also and white figures, is included in one yeast cells. Eventually, when all the carbon, and called them the UES genes Louisiana. It can produce methane and malfunctioning cells by fully competent misses the opportunity to highlight the section of the book, between two of the glucose has gone, the yeast consumes since they were universally expressed has to be kept in strictly oxygen-free ones. A number of specialized textbooks great progress made in the area of the chapters. It is a shame that these colour the ethanol and finally enters a resting at starvation. The Gis1 protein worked conditions. The cells can use several can be criticized for lacking a general treatment of cardiac, kidney, pancreas figures could not have appeared in the form when that in turn has been used with Rim15p to activate them once carbon sources, including methanol introduction, and I believe that this and skin pathology. If you are looking appropriate chapter, to save flicking up and no carbon is available. The cells the situation changed from merely a and trimethylamine. To identify what book is one of them. It would have for a comprehensive text on cell-based between book sections. As expected, can survive quiescently for a time even limited amount of nutrient to complete sort of bacterium SD1T might be, benefited from a comparison of gene- strategies, this is probably not the book the references at the end of each chapter under this severe starvation. Researchers starvation. Researchers can bring molecular biological methods were and cell-based strategies with more for you. point the reader to further sources of know that at least a quarter of the yeast’s information like this together with data used to provide the sequence of the conventional treatments, emphasizing Having said that, all of the major information. 6,607 genes are involved in making from other studies to build up a picture 16S rRNA gene. This sequence showed their potential advantages and gene-based approaches are covered in these major life-style changes. However, The book is a very comprehensive of the networks of interacting proteins that SD1T is related to Methanolobus disadvantages. the book, by authors who are experts in having a list of genes is a long way reference text, suited both to students that make a cell function. This is a big species, but is sufficiently different Furthermore, the book title indicates their field. The book is comprehensive from knowing how the processes are and experienced researchers. The price, challenge, but for an economically to be considered a novel species. The that the emphasis of the text is on and easy to read – so much so that I orchestrated. however, is definitely going to restrict important species like yeast, the end researchers have named it Methanolobus the treatment of disease and it is my found it hard to put down, despite its purchase to institutions. Despite my Researchers at the Universities of result could have a commercial benefit. zinderi after Stephen H. Zinder, opinion that a bit more of an in-depth its weight! Readers of Microbiology concerns regarding the coverage of cell- Manchester and Cambridge in the UK Another valuable use is that parts of the an American microbiologist from description of the disease mechanism Today are most likely to be interested based approaches, I would recommend have focused on the protein produced network will turn out to be similar in Cornell University who has made would be helpful. The theory of in the first section of the book which this book to all those interesting in gene from the GIS1 gene, which turns out to other species, including ourselves, and an outstanding contribution to the gene- and cell-based therapies has describes the different viral-based therapy. be essential for yeast cells to organize may give an insight into how our own microbiology and ecology of biological been discussed for a number of years. delivery systems. A large proportion of changes in carbon metabolism and to cells react under stress. methane production. However, in practice these approaches this section is devoted to viruses, not Christopher Ring, Middlesex

172 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 173 Manual of Diagnostic issues of being the sixth edition is While it functions wonderfully as a discussed are zoonoses which could and thimerosal, a mercury-containing sciences, and, last but not least, Tests and Vaccines that the format and a large portion manual, it also a reference book in attract a wider audience. However, this disinfectant added to many vaccines, members of the wider public. of the content have been road-tested which you can very quickly find very publication is a useful source of the was accused as another possible culprit. Ulrich Desselberger, Cambridge for Terrestrial Animals previously and the challenge is to recent information on the important thoughts of a range of scientists around The discussions became increasingly (mammals, birds and make the latest edition as current as is diseases affecting the animals on the the world and provides a source of heated and political, and again years bees), 6th edn, Vols 1 possible. The Editors have ensured that global farm. That the global farm references for further reading. It makes passed before the results of large Reviews on the web the manual has been brought bang up also has room for bees is an added a convincing case that priority should epidemiological studies abrogated this and 2 Reviews of the following books are to date and, for example, the chapter on bonus. be given to preparing for changes in hypothesis. The observation that within available on the website at www.sgm. By B. Vallat leptospiral infections has been revised the epidemiology of animal diseases, a period of 6 years when thimerosal Although it has a primary purpose ac.uk/pubs/micro_today/reviews.cfm Published by Office International to include 20 more references detailing whether those changes are due to had been removed from vaccines in for those laboratories linked to des Epizooties (OIE) (2008) new molecular techniques applied to climate change or not. several countries, the numbers of SUMO Protocols surveillance and diagnosis because of €140.00 pp. 1,343 these bacterial pathogens. local cases of autism did not drop, its comprehensive content, I thoroughly Janice Bridger, Berkshire Paleomicrobiology Past Human ISBN 9-29044-718-4 but rather increased, was the final I found this an easy manual to read recommend this book for all veterinary Infections In recent years the public awareness of counterargument. The book contains which I imagine reflects the tight teaching faculties and all research animal diseases has been heightened an impressive chapter in which the Giardia & Cryptosporidium – from editorial control which has ensured laboratories, commercial and academic, Autism’s False Molecules to Disease by outbreaks of foot-and-mouth proceedings of a court case on MMR consistent layout and formatting of concerned about the health of Prophets: Bad Science, disease, bluetongue virus, BSE and the vaccine as a possible cause of autism Host–Pathogen Interactions: each chapter. It is also helped by the livestock. potential for pandemics in humans Risky Medicine & The with all its ramifications (personal Methods and Protocols fact that this manual is a companion arising from avian or porcine influenza William Donachie, Moredun Research Search For A Cure tragedy, heated accusations and replies, text to the OIE Terrestrial Animal Lactobacillus Molecular Biology From strains. However, it is unlikely that Institute cross-examination of witnesses, etc.) Health Code which details the health By P.A. Offit Genomics to Probiotics the public, and for that case many are described. Furthermore, many measures to be used by the veterinary Published by John Wiley & microbiologists, are aware that there is therapies of autism were found to Structure and Function in Cell authorities of importing and exporting Sons Ltd (2008) Signalling a well-developed and controlled set of Climate change: be ‘diverse, expensive, and unproven’. countries to avoid the transfer of £17.95 pp. 298 requirements and regulations in place to impact on the Doctors using them were accused of Potassium Channels, Methods and infectious diseases, in ways which do ISBN 0-23114-636-4 prevent animal diseases from crossing working up parents who were ‘hooked Protocols not provide artificially barriers to trade. epidemiology and international borders. The OIE, the This book reaches far beyond on hope’. As you might expect the two books control of animal Hepatitis C Methods and Protocols, World Organization for Animal Health, microbiology. It reviews aspects of the match up very closely. diseases, Vol. 27, The book discusses interrelationships 2nd edn is responsible for this set of activities distressing story of autistic children, between science and the media, science and this manual contains all the tests No. 2 their emotionally and financially Microbiology and Aging: Clinical The introductory chapters cover and society and the difficulties of Manifestations that it prescribes and more that it general information relating to By S. de la Rocque, S. Morand exhausted, totally desperate parents, achieving a public understanding of Understanding Bioanalytical Chemistry: recommends. diagnostic tests and vaccines and & G. Hendrickx and of interest groups trying to pinpoint science in matters which are loaded an external cause of autism and to Principles and Applications The main stated aim of this manual is should be compulsory reading for every Published by Office International with emotions. Whilst the stories of pursue class-action lawsuits. Autism is a to facilitate international trade in student engaged in microbiological des Epizooties (OIE) (2008) claims of and objections to theories of Clinical Virology, 3rd edn severe impairment of social interaction animals and animal products and to research as they give very clear €55.00 pp. 318 the cause of autism and the description abilities of young children who develop Bacteriophages Methods and Protocols. contribute to the improvement of guidance on the procedures associated ISBN 9-29044-697-2 of various cures offered to treat autism Volume 1: Isolation, Characterization, aggressive behaviour or ‘walk as if in a animal health services worldwide. with diagnosis, from organizing make fascinating reading, I felt that the and Interactions This publication usefully brings shadow, and live in a world of their own These two volumes provide not only sampling to recording of results, and evaluation of credible causes of autism together the sciences of climatology and where they cannot be reached’. Much Study and Communication Skills for an authoritative compendium of the also the regulatory requirements for (chapter 11) was not comprehensive. infectious diseases, but with the main work has gone into researching the the Biosciences diagnostic tests that are internationally the development and preparation of focus on the latter. The main messages, cause(s) of this devastating condition. Paul Offit is very perceptive on recognized, but also the latest vaccines. A chapter describing the use RNA Viruses: Host Gene Responses to repeated in many of the chapters, are: In the late 1990s, some doctors in the issues at the interface of medicine, developments in diagnostic techniques of modern molecular biological Infections that climate change is only one of a UK came up with the theory that the science, public health and the law. and vaccines for the livestock diseases methods in diagnostics and vaccine Computational Methods for number of factors which are likely to measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine He is determined to mediate mutual that are a constraint on international development covers all the tests that a Understanding Bacterial & Archaeal affect future disease distribution; and may be one of the causes of autism, understanding among representatives of trade. It does this by describing clearly scientist needs to understand to follow Genomes the importance of assessing which and vigorous publication of this claim different perspectives by describing the what needs to be done and how to do the manual. The section in this chapter diseases may be a future problem and led to a significant decrease in vaccine backgrounds and basis on which people Textbook of Structural Biology it. Very rarely do you encounter a book dealing with vaccines gives a good establishing surveillance capacity for uptake and to small outbreaks of operate and act. Dr Offit’s great abilities where the stated aims are so evidently introduction to the various vaccine Bacterial Secreted Proteins: Secretory them. The final section of the book measles, a vaccine-preventable disease, in this respect were already obvious in achieved. This is such a book. approaches currently in production, Mechanisms & Role in Pathogenesis highlights the worrying variability including a few deaths. It took many his engaging books The Cutter Incident but also includes information on the Communication Skills for the Biosciences: The manual has been updated from the in surveillance capacity of different large epidemiological studies before and Vaccinated. potential for those in developmental A Graduate Guide fifth edition (2004) with the addition of stages such as nucleic acid vaccines. countries and continents. Diseases the theory was finally repudiated. The It is highly desirable that this book gains chapters on camel pox, Aethina tumida caused by a wide range of micro- discovery of the vested interests of a wide readership among health care Exploring Proteins: A student’s guide to (small hive beetle infestation), turkey The major part of the manual is organisms are covered, including those the researchers involved did not help workers of all specialties, scientists in experimental skills and methods rhinopneumonitis and Mycoplasma concerned with the individual diseases of the honey bee, but more focus on their case. But the damage was done. academia, government and industry, Microbial Limit and Bioburden Tests: synoviae, and new diagnostic procedures and is more directed towards the diseases which just infect animals Parents, mistrusting vaccinations, public health opinion leaders, lawyers, Validation Approaches and Global such as real-time PCR. One of the specialist. was expected. Many of the diseases were looking for other possible causes, interested students of the biomedical Requirements, 2nd edn

174 microbiology today aug 09 microbiology today aug 09 175 Hot on the heels of bird ‘flu

comes a novel influenza A

H1N1 strain to cause fears

of a worldwide pandemic.

Influenza virologist Wendy

Barclay ponders on how

effectively we are prepared to comment cope if disaster strikes.. titleSw-HINI-ng on about ’flu again In the spring of 2009 we have once a circulating seasonal strain. The our ability to deal with this new event? again had a pertinent reminder of the nature of such swH1N1 derivatives Ten years ago we would not aleatoric behaviour of influenza virus is unknown at present, but is of be considering a ‘pre-pandemic’ evolution. As if pulling the handle of significant consequence to those vaccine because we did not believe the reassortment slot machine, Nature involved in planning appropriate that there would be adequate cross has rung up a viral genetic constellation public health measures. Does this protection with related but non- that is an octagenic ‘jackpot’ in terms virus, like currently circulating strains identical strains. Now we know that of posing the latest pandemic threat of human H1N1, have the capacity by using different formulations for to man. Swine-origin influenza H1N1 to tolerate that render it influenza immunization such as has crossed a species barrier in Mexico resistant to Tamiflu? If the virus incorporating new adjuvants, these from pigs to people and then spread acquires a set of polymerase genes issues can be overcome. Nonetheless, beyond, stealing across the border by reassorting with seasonal human vaccine manufacturers still lack to the US and hitching on air travel H3N2 or H1N1 subtype , capacity to deal with the increased routes to new continents. Causing a will its replication and transmissibility demand that results from a pandemic mild upper respiratory illness with in humans increase? Such questions threat, and difficult decisions case fatality of around 0.1%, why could be addressed in advance about interrupting seasonal vaccine should we be worried about swine by employing the technique of manufacture and prioritizing target ’flu? At least this is not the dreaded reverse genetics to create these viral groups for the monovalent (pre-) H5N1 bird ’flu pandemic that influenza possibilities inside high containment pandemic vaccines will be necessary. virologists have been wittering on laboratories so we can study their The realization that we still cannot about for a decade! behaviour before nature throws them supply sufficient vaccine to immunize If the events of the recent months at us. This type of approach was the world’s population may prompt reinforce any one thing about influenza, employed last year by workers at a re-look at live-attenuated ’flu vaccines that is its unpredictability. If the virus the CDC in Atlanta USA to assess as a 21st century strategy to deal survives the unfavourable summer whether the highly pathogenic avian with the inevitable but unpredictable climate, and our Lilliputian attempts to influenza virus H5N1 had the potential influenza pandemics of the future. restrain its circulation by administering to recombine with a circulating human the Tamiflu to cases strain of virus. The same technique Wendy S. Barclay and their contacts, it may infect many can also allow the rapid generation Chair of Influenza Virology more of us during the winter months. of a tailor-made swine ’flu vaccine at Imperial College London Moreover, every additional human and the development of important (e [email protected]) infection increases the potential for the diagnostic reagents that will help to virus to gain mutations that enhance differentiate between infections Further reading its replicative capacity in human with swine ’flu and other human Chen, L.M., Davis, C.T., Zhou, H., cells. This might be achieved by the circulating strains in the coming Cox, N.J. & Donis, R.O. (2008). accumulation of point mutations in months. Genetic compatibility and virulence of swH1N1 viral genes, or by acquiring The swine ’flu zoonosis has reassortants derived from contemporary whole gene segments from a human served as a timely dress rehearsal of avian H5N1 and human H3N2 influenza influenza virus by reassortment with pandemic plans under a situation that A viruses. PLoS Pathog 4(5), e1000072. could not have been kinder. Has the doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1000072 m Coloured TEM of H1N1 virus particles from the April 2009 outbreak. AMI Images intense research focus on H5N1 avian Please note that views expressed in Comment do not / Science Photo Library influenza virus been worth anything in necessarily reflect official policy of the SGM Council. Please note that views expressed in Comment do not necessarily reflect official policy of the SGM Council.

176 microbiology today aug 09