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uorterly
VOLUME24 PART2
FOR
PUBLiSHED
BYTHISO(IETY
MI(ROBIOLOGY
GENERAL
I
uorterly
Volume 24
Part2.May1997
Articles
The Deep Seas- Microbiology's
Final Frontier
Alan T. BUII
Antarctica - A Microbial Paradise
Nick RusseII
47
50
CryptosporidiumandCryptosporidiosis 52
Colin Frickerand Huw Smith
Vero Cytotoxin-producing Escherichiacoli
Ol57: Causefor Concern
54
Henry Smith
Regular
Features
Other ltems
Escherichia
coli Ol57: From Farm to Fork
and Beyond
BernardMackeyand GlennR. Gibson
|apan'sFunctional Food Industry
TomSalusbury
InternationalDevelopmentFund Report
I. Michael Thresh
'Plagues,
Pestilences
and People'- A
Student-centredElectiveUnit in an
UndergraduateBiology Course
Ioanna Verranand lohn Willcox
60
MicrobiologicalNews
Subscription Information
The SGM WebSite
StaffNews
SGM SymposiumVolumes
67
68
69
69
69
55
58
64
Editorial
Risk
46
Gradline
61
SGM Autumn Meeting 1997
63
SocietyNews:
Febru ary Council Meeting
Notices
Newsof Members
CoIworth PrizeLecturer
Grants6 Awards
66
66
66
66
67
Journal News
70
News from the Groups
72
Book Reviews
76
Diary
80
Letter to the Editor
59
Council 1996197
Scientist-SchoolLiaison
59
Inside Back Cover
Front coyer:The world's deepest-divingmanned
submersible,IAMSTEC's'Shinkai6500'.A crew of
three,a pilot, navigator and researcher,are encased
in a 2 m titanium sphere.A wide array of lights,
camerasand samplingequipmentcan be axached
to thefront end and controlled by the crew.See '
article on p. 47. Photo courtesyof the Promotional
Office,IAMSTEC.
Editor: SGM PublicationsOfficer,Dr DaveMcL. Roberts,Departmentof Zoology,
The Natural HistoryMuseum, Cromwell Road,London SW7 5BD
(TeI.01719388790;Fax0171938 8754;Emaild.roberts@nhm.ac.uk).
SGM Headquarters:Marlborough House,BasingstokeRoad,SpencersWood,
ReadingRG7 lAE (Tel.0118988 5577;Fax0118988 5656;
Email admin@socgenmicrobiol.org.uk).
org.uk
SGMWeb site: http://www.socgenmicrobiol.
AssistantEditor: JanetHurst
Production Editor: Ian Atherton
ProductionAssistantand Book ReviewsManager:JaniceMeekings
Contributions: Theseare alwayswelcomeand should be addressedto the Editor
(c/o SGM Headquarters).
ISSN:0142-7547
COPYDATES
Lastdatesfor receiptof copyat Marlborough
Houseare:
Issue
August
GeneralCopy
14 May
November 10 September
Advertisements
(camera-ready
copy)
1l June
8 October
Advertisements- all enquiriesshouldbesent
to loan Addison,NI4/H SalesLtd, CedarHouse,
CedarLane,Frimley,SurreyGU16 sHY
(Tel.01276685111;
Fax01276655011).
Rrsr
qualifyalmost
we instinctively
s scientists
everythingwe say,which puts a very
effectivebarrierbetweenus and'the public',
We tend to treat incominginformationrn
the samecautiouswayThisattitudemightbe
but for us it is a way of
describedas cynical,
life.Nothingis believedto be quiteas simpleas
it appears.Weenjoyteasingapartthe tangled
which modifiesthe behaviour
set of influences
of the systemwe are studying.lf it were not
so,we would not do it,Thisis a charac[eristic
by Aristotle's
encapsulated
of academics
that'the test andthe useof
observation
man'seducationis that he findspleasurein
of hismind'.
the exercise
articleson
In this issuethere are background
two topicswhich havegivenriseto substantial
publicinterestand mediacoverage:the
waterand E. coli
borne pathogenCryptosporidium
articlein the
O l57.ThesefollowJeffAlmond's
on prion diseases,These
May 1996Quorterly
issueshavecometo prominencebecausethey
all posesomeform of risk,realor perceived.
of
aroundthe possibility
Eventhe speculation
lifeon Marsand Europahasbeen reported in
the mediafrom the perspecliveof the riskof
that mightbe posedby
contamination
returnedsamoles.
LastMarchthe RoyalSocietyorganized
policyand risk
on Science,
a conference
html).This was
(http//th esis.newsint.co.u[</RS/rs.
a follow-uoto the 1992conferencewhich
failedto resolvethe distinctionbetweenreal
risk in the sensethat it is basedon slatislical
treatment of incidentrecords,and perceived
riskAs a childI usedto playcricketin the
streetwith a wicket chalkedon a lamp-post.I
would not dreamof lettingmy son playin
the roadsnow becauseI perceivethem as a
however;
dangerousplaceto be. Statistically,
there are fewer childreninjuredon the roads
now than when I was a boy despitethe
exoonentialincreasein the amountof traffic.
changes
The myriadwaysin which life-style
affectshow we reactto perceivedrisk and
thesechangesin turn, modifythe risk.The
affectedthe sales
new-variantCJD,for instance,
was in spiteof the
of beef profoundly.This
now
observationthat a changeof eating-habit
would not lessenthe riskof developmentof
the diseasebecausebeef is lesslikelyto be
contaminatednow than a few yearsbackat the
heightof the BSEepidemic,I havenot seenany
reports that the salesof cooked-meatproducls
havebeen comparablyaffectedby the O 157
outbreakwhich hasalreadykilledmore than
twice the numberof peoplewith new-variant
but it
may be a mediainfluence,
CJD.This
a
mightalsobe that O 157is food poisoning,
ohenomenonwith whichwe are familiarand
thus acceptthe riskmore readily,
The recent report on abattoirpracliceand
in the
the continuingproblemsof Solmonello
poultry industryrefleclchangesin our atlitude
to food,Theobjectiveof the food induslryis,
of course,profit.Profit is enhancedby having
longershelf-liftand by reducingproduction
cos[s,Theformer meansfindingwaysto control
microbialgroMh,whilethe
spoilage,
especially
latter meansfindingwaysto preparethe food
while stayingwithinthe
more economically
prescribedsafetystandards.
I can only guess
at how the tastelessmushroomson the
supermarketshelfare madeto lastas long
asthey do comparedwith the ephemeral
thingpickedfrom the field.Theconsumeralso
demandscheapfood;look at the realcosl
(inflationadjusted)of chickenthese daysand
were achieved,
speculatehow thesesavings
my yoghurtand my
Personally
I likemy cheese,
beer to havelife,Do not eventalk to me aboul
bread!| seeno particularproblemin cheese
that
havinga livingskincomposedof organisms
shouldbe there,However:it does meanthat
eachone tastesdifferent.Here is another
challengefor marketing.Nationalmarketing
levelsof
meansthat the cottage-industry
productionare hard pressedto deliverin
quantities
to the demandsof nationalbuyers.
with this
But what are the dsk associated
changeof praclice?Blandfood,to be sure,
but is it reallyso much safer?
The AdvisoryCommitteeon Dangerous
Pathogens
haspublishedan interim report
(HMSO,June I 996) becausethey were asked
of microto considerthe generalprinciples
riskassessment
and its application
to
biological
publicheatthissues,They
recommendcontinued
riskassessment
developmentof microbiological
(MRA) particularly
scientific,
to encompass
grounds,lt
economic,politicaland sociological
will be interesling
to seejust how thesevarious
factorsare balancedoff againsteachother:
needfor suitablemethods
There is a pressing
and
to judgeissuesover consumerlabelling
advertising.
Juslhow clearshouldlabelsbe and
how muchshouldthey tell you?Mr Justice
judgementin the lB90s
Hawkins,
delivering
over advertisedclaimsfor a patentmedicine
said,'ltmustbe rememberedthat such
do not appealso muchto the
adverlisements
wiseandthoughtfulasto the crcdulousandweak
portion of the community',
Peoplecertainly
faclorpriceinto their own riskassessments,
Makeyour meat-piescheapenoughand
peoplewill buythem,E. colinotwithstanding,
Surelywhat is neededis a senseof proportion
in theserisk.Thereis no doubt that familiarity
with a riskgeneratesa degreeof toleranceand
of
acceptance
of it,Thegreatkillerdiseases
are now a dis[ant
our grandparents'generation
memory so that we havefewer benchmark
whichto judgeemergentdisease(AlDS,
against
ebola,O 157,etc.)andthus seemto react
with alarmto what hasbecomean unknown,
unquantified
threat.Over dinnerrecentlya fellow
guestwas recounting
with obvioushorror a
scenefrom aTV show about animalswhere
someonepressedtheir handonto an agarplate
and time-lapsephotographyrevealedthe
hand-print.The
developmentof the subsequent
washyour handsafter
message
was clear;always
most peoplemicrobesonly
handlinganimals.To
representa threatand one that is not underslood,
I cannotfinishwithout mentioningthe
brouhahathat hasattendedthe announcement
generalarguments
of Dollythe clonedsheep.The
that havefollowed havetended to focuson the
ethicalissuesand muchhasbeensaidaboul the
affrontto humandignitybeingposedby these
sciencein
genetictechniquesand by extension,
general.Theaffrontsmadeto humandignityby
poverty,hunger;
violentcrime and war
disease,
besideDolly...
seemto paleinto insignificance
Dave Roberts
In this
,ssue ..o
MrcRonror.ocvalways
seemsto be in the headlines.
Cryptosporidium and E. coli
0157 havebeenhot topics
of public concern recently
and articles on these
organismsappearon
pp.52-57.
Meanwhile, in fapan,
claims are being made that
immunityto diseasecan be
enhancedby eating certain
foods(p.58).
Some of our members have
been exploring microbiolo gy
in more exotic locations
than the supermarket or
kitchen.Alan Bull (pp.
4749) tells readersof life
in the ocean deeps,whilst
Nick Russellescapesto the
irywastes ofAntarctica
(pp.sG-s2).
Backin the lecture theatre,
JoVerran has some ideas
for enlivening the ways of
teaching microbiology
(pp.6,1-6s).
Thesearticlesappearin
addition to all the regular
featuresand reports of
Societv activities.
Pleaserrotethat viewsexpressed
in the Editorial do not rrecessarily
re.flecto.fficialpolicy o.fthe SGM
Courtcil.
An excitrngrangeof microbesis being
found in the ocean depths.Their
biological diversity and metabolic
activities show great promise for
exploitationby scientists.
||
o those who regard the existenceof life on Mars as beyond
I reasonabledoubt, the notion of the deep seasas microbiology's
final frontier may seem to be an exaggeratedclaim. Yet despitethe
fact that almost 60 o/oof the Earth'ssurfaceis coveredby seasgreater
than 2,000 m deep, wherein all life must be able to tolerate a
minimum pressureof 200 atmospheres,our knowledgeof deep-sea
microbes is very meagre.This is not to undervalue the pioneering
work of ZoBell, Morita, Kriss and their like; simply it reflects
the daunting scaleand immense logistical difficulties of exploring
the microbiology of the abyssaldepths. Such exploration carries
with it the burdens of 'big science'- high technology and huge
costs.Not surprising, therefore, that only a handful of countries
have invested in very deep-sea research and that international
collaboration is vital for pushing back this particular frontier.
Nevertheless,knowledge of bacteria occurring in the sedimentsof
some of the deepestoceans has been known for over a century.
Reportsof the Thlismanand Humbolt Expeditions,which appeared
in 1884 and 1894,include descriptionsof bacteria cultivated from
depthsgreaterthan 5,000m, while half a century or so later,research
from the GalatheaExpedition revealedlargebacterialpopulations at
the bottom of the Philippine Trench where the pressureexceeds
1,000 atmospheres!But perhaps the two recent events that really
have sparked excitement in deep-seabiology - microbiology
included - have been the discovery of communities of organisms
Fig. l. Biodiversityin the sea.
TUEDrpp SEesMrcnoBrolocY'sFrNerFnoNTTER
Alan T. Bull
associatedwith hydrothermal vents,first observedin the Galapagos
Rift in the 1970s,and the development of submersiblesthat can
descendto the ultimate ocean depths. The most advancedfleet of
submersiblesis that of the fapan Marine Scienceand Technology
Center (IAMSTEC) whose Shinkai 6500 is the world's deepestdiving manned submersible, and whose recently commissioned
unmanned submersibleKaiko can explorethe very deepesttrenches.
As I sketchthis article my senseof trepidation rises- a mere landlubber and newcomer to deep-seamicrobiology trying to sound
convincing about a new-found researchinterest!I can offer only the
combination of profound curiosity and fortuitous circumstance
for this state of affairs. A long-standing fascination by microbial
diversity and the opportunities it provides for biotechnology
has caused severalof us at Kent to search unusual or neglected
environments for novel micro-organisms and properties. Then, 5
years ago, as JAMSTEC was launching its deep-seamicrobiology
initiative (DeepStar),its newly appointed directot ProfessorKoki
Horikoshi, invited us to extend this interest to the deep sea and to
embark on what has becomean absorbingand h"ppy collaboration.
The environment of the deep sea often is depicted in terms of
extreme pressure,low temperature, lack of light and paucity of
nutrients, conditions which, at first sight, may seem inimical to
life itself. But this is far from being the case.The bottom sediments,
even at depths of 10,000 m, and in contrast to the overlying
water, can maintain very high populations of micro-organisms
representingall three of the Domains. Indeed, the biological
diversity and density of the deep seamay rival even that of tropical
rain forests and attempts to estimate the total speciesdiversity of
the deep seacurrently is the subject of fierce debate.For example,
extrapolations from detailed samplings of sediments suggestthat
the diversity of deep-seainvertebratescould be at least l0 million
and possibly even 100 million. This debate will not be settled
quickly given the difficulties of studying deep-seaecology and
the rarity of taxonomists working on the deep-seamacro- and
microfauna. However, one other startling fact surely must excite
microbiologists about the prospects for finding novel organisms
in the deep seas;this is the astonishingdegreeof animal endemism
found in the marine environment (Fig. 1). From data already
availablewe can predict with reasonableconfidence that specific
microbial-invertebrate symbiosesmay be the normal life style of
theseorganismsin the deep sea,and hence thesecould be priority
nicheswithin which to searchfor new microbial taxa.
The deep sea is far from being a uniform environment and,
in addition to hydrothermal vents, cold seeps (nutrient-rich
water released from underlying rock as a result of geological
pressure),hydrocarbon seeps,and localized brine incursions, the
occurrenceof underwater storms and the periodic deposition and
redistribution of the organic 'fluff' provide a patchy mosaic of
microhabitats for microbial exploitation. It is not surprising that
the hydrothermal vents have captured both scientific and public
interest - just imagine an ecosystemon whose visiting card we
read high temperature, abnormally high radioactivity, high
concentrationsof heavy metdls, ammonia, hydrogen sulphide and
methane, and an instability of the most chaotic type! Yet these
'dark
Satanicmills' of the abyssaldepths are home to an unexpected
diversity of organisms: the latest inventory of vent eukaryotes,
for example,lists 110 families,278 genera and 525 species.And
associatedwith the vent fauna, or existing freely in the vent
environs, is an inestimablediversity of bacteria and archaeaupon
whose chemosyntheticactivity the whole ecosystemdepends.Some
interesting facts are emerging on the biogeographic distribution
48
canbe loweredinto
2000'.Thesubmersible
Fig.2. Launching'shinkai
Photo
takesabout l0 minutes.
*"":""rup to 2 m andthe wholeProcess
of loy Colquhoun.
courtesy
of these prokaryotic primary producers. In the Pacific vents the
endosymbioticbacteria cluster within the 1-Proteobacteriaand are
associatedlargelywith tube worms and bivalves.At the mid-Atlantic
Ridge vents, however, the dominant animal is a shrimp which
forms an ectosymbiotic association with a single species of
previously unknown bacterium of the e-Proteobacteria.Evidence
ior biogeographic distribution of marine micro-orgpnisms also
is coming from a variety of sources,including a recent study of
the fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum. Strains of this bacterium
having distinct phenotypic characteristicswere associatedwith
geographicallyseparatedsedimentsamplesand with non-fish hosts.
The conditions of the deepseasare arguablythe most extremethat
sustainlife on Earth. Extremophileshavebeen defined very neatly in
terms of pressureand temperature (PT) by Aristides Yayanosas
organismsin direct proportion to the distancein PT-spacebetween
their habitatsand that of us humans (1 atmosphere,3T"C). Thus
microbial - and other - life existsalong the 250 atmospheresisobar
typical of the hydrothermal vents to at least 110"C, and along the
2-3 "C isotherm to the maximum pressureof the deepesttrenches
of approximately 1,100atmospheres.Recently the limits of the
biosphere have been extended to even greater extremes through
the analysesof deep marine sediments by Iohn Parkes and his
colleaguesin Bristol and Cardiff. These sediments,which may be
up to l km or more thick, are colonizedby bacteria to a depth of
at least 750 m. The question of how deep-seamicro-organisms
adapt to and senseextremesof pressureand temperature is easy
to pose but as yet we have no comprehensiveanswer.Hyperbaric
pressureelicits a variety of effectson gene expressionand protein
synthesisand, for example,may induce both heat- and cold-shock
proteins. But these pressure-inducibleeffects are not restricted to
those marine microbes that may be subject to Pressurechangesas
they passthrough the water column; they havealsobeen observedin
such terrestrial microbes as Escherichiacoli and yeasts.Sensitivity
to high pressureappearsto be due to the disorganizationof multimeric proteins involved, among other things, in replication,
ribosomeassembly,transcription and translation.Thus, the ability to
induce the synthesis of shock proteins may be one of the key
featuresof pressuretolerance.Genetic studies of deep-seabacteria
are gradually beginning to reveal the secretsof Pressuretolerance.
Groups at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and at Koki
Horikoshi's DeepStar laboratory have cloned and sequenced
pressure-regulatedpromoter sequencesfrom several deep-sea
bacteria, and recently the |apanesegroup have analysedthe open
reading frames downstream from the promoter of a barotolerant
strain. A finding of considerableinterest is that one open reading
frame (orf3) complementedthe cydD geneof E. coli, the product of
which is required for assemblingthe cytochrome bd complex.Here,
therefore,might be one important insight to understandingsurvival
mechanismsin the deePseas.
Barotoleranceis a remarkable phenomenon and demonstrably
a property of many and varied deep-seabacteria. Even at hadal
depths (>6000 m) it is possibleto recoverat atmospheric pressure
populationsof at leastl07.bacteria(ml sediment)-l and molecular
biological methods doubtless will reveal additional types and
numbers of viable but as yet unculturable organisms.Not that the
relationshipbetweenextremepressureand microbial growth is onesided. Bacteriahave been isolatedthat grow only under conditions
of high pressure - those obligate
barophilic organismsthat are unable
to grow at atmosphericPressure.
As researchon deep-seaorganisms
gatherspace,an interestingquestion'
first posed by ZoBell & Morita,
reappears: is pressure tolerance a
sufficient distinctive feature with
which to delineate species or are
deep-seaspeciesthe pressure-adapted
variants of surface microbes as they
sink through the water column?
Our own research on deeP-sea
actinomycetes has revealed welldefined clusters of abyssal and
hadal rhodococci that are clearlY
distinguished from all type species
of Rhodococcus.These studies of
deep-seaactinomyceteshave strongly
reinforced the view that a polyphasic
'Yokosuka'is mothership to the'shinkai 6500 and, until this year'the
taxonomic approach is essentialfor
vessel
Fig. 3. The research
research
uncoveringthe full diversityof microrjotic,Kaiko'system (see Fig.5),whichnow has aship of its own.The'Yokosuka'housesthree
faboratories. Photocourtesyof the PromotionalOftce,JAMSTEC'
bial communities and that reliance
nJli_1fl-ry
SGMQUARTERLY
May 1997
o n u n i t a r y a p p r o a c h e s ,f i r r e x t r n r p l er i b o t y p i n g , i s l i k e l y t o p a s so v e r
,
J-'
.$ri
such diversity. The rletabolic activity of deep-sea microbes has
rnajor importance for global homeostasis in terms of carbon
\il
ta
ir
-
{
\-'
tllrnover anc'l deposition in the carbon archive of tl-re vast ocean
\.
s e d i r n e n t s .O n l y r e c e n t l y h a v e w e b e g u n t o a p p r e c i a t e t h e s c a l e o f
b i o g e o c h e m i c a la c t i v i t y i n d c e p - s e asr e d i m e n t s ,P a r k e se s t i m a t e st h a t
in terms of carbon their discovery is equivalent to increasing tl-re
p l a n e t ' s b i o s p h e r e b y 1 0 7 o . M o r e o v e r , t h i s a c t i v i t y i n c r e a s e sw i t h
depth under certain circunrstlnces such as sites of deep methirne
hydrate deposition.
A l l t h e e v i c l e r r c eo f e x t r a o r c l i n a r y b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y a n d
m e t t r b o l i c a c t i v i t i e s i n t h e p l e t h o r a o f e c o s y s t e m sf o u n d i n t h e d e e p
seas encourages my optirnisr-n that tl-rese are the places to go
b i o p r o s p e c t i r - r gN
. umerous novel metabolites have been discovered
in marine organisms that exhibit a wide range of bioactive
properties. To clate most of these compounds have come from
s h a l l o w s e a i n v e r t e b r a t e s- s p o n g e s ,c o r a l s , t u n i c a t e s ,e t c . - o r t h e i r
b a c t e r i a l s y m b i o n t s , b u t a s t h e r n e a n s f o r r n o r e r e g r - r l a rs a m p l i n g
b
Fig.5. The latesttechnology
hasbeenusedforthe arms of 'Kaiko'whichare
controlledfrom the ship.Thecontroller sits on the operator'sforearm and
mimics the hand movement. Photocourtesyof the Promotionol
Office,JAMSTEC.
b e c o m e a v a i l a b l e ,t h e s c r e e n i n g o f d e e p - s e am i c r o b e s c e r t a i n l y w i l l
follow. Novel biocirtalysts irlso irre irn obvious target for deep-sea
search and discovery progrellnliles and already there is a substantial
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
d a t a b a s e o n t h e r r n o s t a b l e e n z y r - n e so f v e n t h y p e r t h e r n r o p h i l e s .
Veryspecialthanksto Koki Horikoshiand to IAMSTECfor making it possible
f<rrrre to engagein the thrill of deep-seamicrobiology;to him, his DeepStar
group and Dave llobertsfor ntany stimulatingcorrversations;
to tstsSR.C
and
BritishCor.rr.rcil
Tokyofcrrfunding n-rydeep-sea
work; and to foy Colquhoun,
support.
io Mexsorrand SteveHealdin the Kentlaboratoryfor their enthusiastic
P r e s s u r es t a b i l i t y a n d a c t i v a t i o n a r e o t h e r c l e s i r a b l ep r o p e r t i e s i n
b i o c a t a l y s t s .P r e c e d e n c ef o r t h i s t y p e o f a c t i v i t y w ; r s p r o v i d e d b y
the DeepStar grollp who cliscovereclar protease in a Sporosorcino
species, isolated fion-r 6,500 rn, whosc activity was specif-ically
e n h a n c e c la t 6 0 0 a t n r o s p h e r e s .
S o w h a t o f t h e f i r t u r e ? T h e e x p e n s ea n d e n g i n e e r i n g d e m a n d s o f
d e e p - s e ae x p l o r a t i o n a r e f b r m i d a b l e b u t t h e r e c e n t c o m m i s s i o n i n g
o f t h e K a i k o s u p e r s u b m e r s i b l e a n d c u r r e n t d e v e l o p n - r e n t ss u c h a s
D e e p F l i g h t i n t l . r eU n i t e c l S t a t e sa t t e s t t h e u n d i m i n i s h e d i n t e r e s t i n
'inner
what has been called
sptrce'.However, Prof'essor Horikoshi
makes the telling point that more people have travelled to outer
FURTHER
READING
K A f O , C . , I N O U E ,A . & H O I { I K O S H IK
, . ( 1 9 9 6 )I.s o l a t i n a
gnd
c h a r a c t e r i z i ndge e p - s enar a r i n en ri c r o - o r s i l n i s n t 7
sT
. BTE
CH 1 4 ,6 - 12 .
. p e c i f i ca n d g e n e t i cd i v e r s i t ya t d e e p - s e t r
I O L L I V E T ,D . ( 1 9 9 6 ) S
hyclrothern.ral
vents:itn overview.IliodiversCorrserv
5, 1619-1653.
Y A Y A N O SA, . A . ( 1 9 9 5 ) M
. i c r o b i o l o g yt o 1 0 , , 5 0m
0 e r e r si n r h e c l e e ps e a .
AturttRevMicrobiol44,777-805.
space tharn have descenclecl2,000 rn ir-rto this inner space. The
e m p h a s i s , t h e r e f o r e,
will
continue
to
be
ou
international
programnres and this will be important in establishing research
priorities. By the tirre that this article is published a bilateral
meeting will have convened in Tokyo to consider future research
collaborations in deep-sea nricrobiology between Japan and the
U K . F o r n r i c r o b i o l o g i s t s a l r e a d y i r - n m e r s e di n o r a b o u t t o a c c e p t
t h e c h a l l e n g eo f d e e p - s e t rr e s e a r c h ,t h e p r o s p e c t c o u l d n o t b e m o r e
exciting.
Alnn Bulli-s Prrtfc-s-stl'
ol-Microbinl
'Ibchnologl'
ot tht' Dapni'tnrant o.l'
B i o s c i e r r c c sL, l t t i v c r s i l To' . l -I ( a t r t , C t r n t c r b t t r l , C T 2 7 N J , L I K ( E - m a i l
A . 7 -B. u I I @u k c .a c .u k ) .
Fig. 4. A hydrothermalvent at Ogasawara
Troughat a depth of | 380 m.
The temperatureis 280-300'C.The substratumin theWest Pacificis
normallyvery rocky around hydrothermalvents which can grow to form
tall chimneys.Photocourtesy
of the PromotionolOfice,IAMSTEC.
Fig. 6. Seawater is entrainedthrough the substratawhere a seriesof
chemicalreactionsalter its compositionand it emergesco react with the
oceanicwater causingprecipitationof (mostly)sulphides,
givingthese
vents their popular name of 'BlackSmokers'. Photocourtesy
of the
PromotionolOffice,J AMSTEC.
49
ANrnncrICA- A MIcnoBIALPnneulsn
Nick Russell
T Tave you set up a field experiment,only to return later to find
vandalized beyond recall?Very frustrating and especially
flit
difficult to avoid, particularly if you do your ecologicalfieldwork
anywhereclose to urban development.Clearly, one solution is to
move as far away from such development as possible,and for a
Northern hemisphere microbiologist Antarctica is the ultimate.
Indeed, for anyoneit is a pretty remote spot in which to work! But
not only is Antarctica free of inquisitive schoolchildrenand bored
teenagers,it probably providesthe best guaranteeof an undisturbed
and uninhabited ecosystemin which to work. Moreover,despitethe
impression given by calendars and magazine articles, its ecology is
dominated by micro-organisms,not penguins,sealsand whales'So
unless you choose to work in the middle of a penguin rookery
(which does have certain attractions!) or within the closeenvirons
of one of the permanent national bases,you can select from a
remarkablybroad variety of undisturbed ecotypes.Only about 0.4o/o
of the continent is free of snow and ice during the short austral
summer but the exposedsoilsvary widely in humidity and nutrient
status. There are rocks with endolithic microbial communities
hidden a few millimetres below the surface,snow and ice melts
to give terrestrial (fresh)water and there are sea-ice microbial
communities (SIMCOs) aswell asthosein free maritime waters.And
it is not all cold! There are volcanoeswith associatedgeothermal
vents and warm soils.Together,thesesitesencompassa panoply of
Despite the difficulties of getting
to and staying in Antarctica, it
probably providesthe best guarantee
of an undisturbed and uninhabited
ecosystemin whichto work,
microbial types from bacteria to archaea,yeasts to diatoms and
microalgaeto lichens.
So why isn't the SGM Membership rushing off to pursue
ecologicalresearchin Antarctica?
Perhapsthe single greatestreason is a logistical one, in terms of
both the expenseand the difficulty of getting to Antarctica, isolated
by the Southern Ocean and apparentlypropping up the rest of the
world on your drawing-room globe.Recenttalesof round-the-world
yachtsmen and dramatic stories of rescueshave highlighted the
remotenessof the region and the harsh conditions which can prevail
even at the height of summer. For the scientistworking there, this
becomesself-evidentin the journey to get the continent.
There are two ways of travelling - by boat or plane. Thankfully I
haveavoidedthe former, asromantic thoughts of gentlesea-cruising
and time to read those books about the early explorers en route
had been dispelled by tales of the disturbing effects which the
Antarctic Convergence(where the circumpolar current meets the
other main oceaniccurrents) has on ship movements and human
semi-circular canals, with the well-known atteridant physical
manifestations! More and more, planes are replacing boats as
the main means of access,whether it is flying from Port Stanley
to British baseson the Peninsula or from Christchurch in New
Zealand to the American base at McMurdo, about 3,000km,
'kiwi
route'
as the skua flies, on the other side of the continent. The
brings you into somewhat intimate contact with the US Navy
'rules
and regulations'
and for a dxy or so you are subject to
are organized in
equipment
clothing
and
you,
your
special
as
military fashion, destined for a 7-hour-plus flight crammed in the
belly of a Hercules transporter plane, which is definitely not
designed for comfort nor indeed, it seems,for passengersat all!
But first the pre-flight briefing, guaranteedto send the clientele
of a scheduled BA flight running back to the safety of the
terminal lounge:
If there'sa fire on board we'd like to know - stay in your seats,unless
theflames are directly beneathyou when I guessyou'd better move'
If we ditch in the seahang on to sornethingheavyenoughto sink!
'seat'
is a euphemism for your 15" of. open-webbing,
Mind you,
slung from the uninsulated side structure, which is alarmingly
full of what looks like too many rivets. Ear-plugs in and survival
suit on, you settle down as best you can to read that trash novel
bought at the airport, since conversation is impossible with
the din of the engines.The less said about the bathroom facility
the better.
But your first glimpse through the spy-hole windows of the
trans-Antarctic mountains and the pack-ice make it all worthwhile
'ski-land'
on the sea-ice
and the adrenaline builds as finally you
runway on the Ross Ice Shelf - you've arrived at 78" 60' S on the
world's secondlargestcontinent. Transferto trackedvehicle (an iron
box on cat tracks), trundle acrossthe ice-shelf,negotiatethe tricky
ice-land interface (yes,there really is water under that apparently
solid and unending vista of ice) and you are at Base Camp,
Scott Base for the Kiwis and McMurdo Station (somewhat
The author endolith hunting above the dry valleys.
inevitably nicknamed'Mactown') for the Yanks.
Then follows a round of sorting out equipment, briefings,
checkpolar hollow-fill sleepingbag (no duck down for the allergic!),
attend safety and survival courses (de rigeur for even the most
experiencedvisitors), collect rations, check helicopter schedules,
'helo-skeds',wait, log into E-mail again. Then
wait, recheck the
suddenlywe're off in a mad rush, after a final checkthat everything
is in place and you are flying across the ice shelf and up the
Terra Nova Bay - the ltalian base camp with the sea frozen over the bay in the mid-ground and the
volcanic Mount Melbourne quietly smoking in the background.
Then clean teeth, one last look at the
sceneryor maybe even a walk onto the ice
or along the valley to soak up the
quiet remotenessin a moment of solitude
after the criss-cross, often intense
conversations, and then remove a few
outer layers of clothing (baldies - keep
the hat on!) and sink into the cosy
warmth of the polar survival sleeping
bag for a deep 6 hours sleepin the relative
warmth of the tent. A seasonedNZ
colleague has decided to take the
specificationsof his sleeping bag to the
letter and, seduced by the panoramic
view of The Royal Society mountain
range, is cocooned like a grub outside
his tent under the midnight sun. It is
24-hour daylight during summer,
the sun blazing through the ozone hole
with a skin-wrinkling intensity - not that
you leave much exposed and those bits
which are have been coated in factor 45
(yes, it does exist) sun-block. The
continuous summer daylight means
that you must, of course, set your own
daily rhythms of work and sleep, but
'days'
after long
in the deep field or at
cnmp, the latter is seldom a problem;
time seems to be particularly precious
because of the special circumstances,
and long working hours are the norm.
You wake refreshed and after a quick
splashwith preciouswater collectedfrom
the glacier melt-stream a mile away don't remove too much sunblock -
breakfast on coffee and crisp rolls: the
d.y, cold, clean atmosphere means
bread doesn't go mouldy but it does
turn impressivelyhard!
Pack the day bag, something for
lunch, don't forget to fill the water bottle
and pack the complementary'pee-bottle'
(everything which comes into Antarctica
must go out, in whatever form it may
be) and we're off to the experimental
sites. That might involve collecting soil
or sediment samples, or hunting for
endoliths hidden beneath the surface of
weathering rocks - the debate continues
Deployingplastic cloches in the TaylorValleywith DavidWynn-Williams, to study the effects of climate
about cause and effect, but it is hard
changeon soil microbes.
not to believe that microbial colonization
Dry Valleyswith spectacular360omountain scenery:glaciers,snow
isn't the causewhen you see the rock structure in situ. Or it may
fields,valleys and peaks all looking crystal clear in the dry, clean air,
be to set up an experimental site, including perhaps a data logger
asif you could lean out and touch them. Can't believeI'm here.Then
for temperature,humidity, etc., in a moss bank or cyanobacterial
we'relanding at field camp in a cloud of dust on the rocky terrain, to
mat, or UV-opaque and UV-transparent plastic clochesfor studying
a big welcome from members of the advancefield party. Over coffee
the effects of ultraviolet exposure and thermal warming on soil
and our Harrods shortbreads,we discusswhat work is going on,
microbial community structure, development and metabolism. It
camproutine, gossipand begin the processof relationship-building.
all takes time and effiort, often a lot of walking over rough terrain,
Then down to the business of pitching tents, unpacking scientific
maybe some climbing and scrambling,but alwaysin radio contact
gear and personal effects. Next a tour of the experimental sites,
with colleaguesat the camp and via them with the base camp.
whetherthey be melt-ponds on an ice shelf or land, the sidesof a
Perhaps the radio contact, even more than the quiet solitude,
dry valley, hidden inland valleys, a melt stream at the foot of a
the certainty that you won't meet anyone round the next corner,
glacier or maritime silt at the ocean edge. Back to camp to plan
emphasizesthe isolation. Besides one's immediate companions,
experimentsand first dinner with new companions - talk late into
the only company will be the occasionalskua or snow petrel, or
the evening about work, politics, Antarctica, latest gossip from the
perhaps a seal or penguin if you are at a coastalsite. Even more
helo pilots, all fuelled by ]im Beam or beer or on specialoccasions
remote sites are accessedby helicopter for short-term visits of a
by the (in)famous Canada glacier blue gin cocktail, complete with
few hours to collect samplesor download data from continuousgreenolives - the latter being quite an accomplishment of logistics
monitoring systems;longer trips may also be undertaken,the helo
and forward planning.
pilots camping out with the scientistsand lending a hand where they
May 1997
SGMQUARTERLY
s2
ci'rn, thcir skill ancl professionalisnr
'f1,vers'
olien extencling to their
as
enthtrsiasnr fbr lvorliing as ternp'rorar,v
reseirrch rssistants in such incredible
surrounclings.
S a n r p l c so f s o i l o r n , i r t e r m a v b e t a k e n
fbr transf'er back to the f-ield canrp fbr:
fr-rrther investigation, to
iclentif-v or
i s o l a t e n e w s p e c i e s ,t o p c r f b r n r p h y s i o logical Ileasllrcllcltts
or
photosl,nthesis, to
nteirsrlrentents, or
to
of
resPil'11i.',,.'
trake
ph,vsical
cirrrv oLlt oLlr
r a d i o a c t i v e i r t c t l r l - r o r . t t i o n st ( ) c l e t e r n t i n e
n r e t a b o l i c p i r t h w a l , s . ' l ' l - r ee x p e r i n t e n t a l
*L$*
s,vstcnrsusecl even irr ren-totefield cantps
n r a , v b e s r " r r p r i s i n g l ys o p h i s t i c a t e c l ,s i n c e
snrall gener-irtorsirttcl firel can lrc flowrr in
to power such equipnrent irsfluclrescence
-*'lr|*t
-
-.
h*-{
._
-:!tl-
-**
nricroscopes,imagc analysers,infl-a-red
g a s a n i r l y s e r sa n d o x y g eI r e l e c t r c l c l e sS.o l a r
p a n e l s c a n b e u s e c lt o r e c h i t r g c b a t t e r i e s
f i r r t h e r a c ' l i o s a n c l c o n - t 1 ' r L l t e r sw,h i c h
norvircla,vsrrre cor-nnronplace and Inake
avai I abl c vi rtr"raI ly i n stirnt clirtaevalurttio I-t,
r - n a n i p u l a t i o n a n c l p r e s e n t a t i c ' r n .W h e r - t
Collecting soil sampleson the flank of Mount Melbourne.
linkecl to networkccl svstcnrs lrack at
b a s e ,s u c l c l e n l yt l - r ew o r l c l s e c n r ss n r a l l e r a n d A n t a r c t i c a l e s s r e n t o t e ,
PS. l)on't expect a Christnrascard fi'om nre this yearl
irs yoll nrakc clail,vcorttitct lvith yor"rr reseirrch groLlp and the latest
f b o t b a l l r c s u l t s . . . l r u t t h e n t h e r . v e a t h e rc l o s e s i n , h e l o o p s a r e
slrsprencleclancl vou arc on your own preparing irgirr plates over
t h c c a n r p i n g g a s s t o v c , i t n c l o n c e l - n o r e y o u e r r ed e l i c i o t t s l y a l o n e
Nir'/c llrt-s-st'llis Iiritlgc Il?u-rlr'l-s' 1)t'o/i'-s-srl'
ol' Footl ,\licrobiologv,
rvitl-r onl,v a f-cw conrpitr-tions ancl your firvourite nricrobes for
i \ l i c r o b i o l o ! t ' L t t l t o r r r l o r i c ' - sI ), ( ' P o t ' l n t ( t r t o l B i o l < t c i c i l l 5 r f u ' , r t - t ' - s ,
I t ) ' c ( i r l / t ' g r ' , I 1 ' r ' c ,A s l r l o n l , 1 { c r t 1 ' N l - l 5 A I 1 ( ' l ' L ' 10. l ) - t - i 8 l ) 1 0 1 ;
comp|ury.
l - r r " r0 1 f - l - l , \ / - l / J ( , ) ;I ' . - r t t t r i l l r . r - t l . s . \ t t' lt/' (t r' t ' . t r t ' . t t k ) .
ruM ANDCnvprospoRIDIosIS
CnvprospoRlD
y y . , r e 1 . i , O r - r t C ' l ' | - : ) r:-Sr O
r l O i - ' . i - Cp t t ' O L O
. i , i ' r , r . ' ri ' ) lr j ; r . i l ii r i l l : r . i r l
: C 1 f l: , l t , l;i--l , i l ' . 1
i :. ' C
Colin Frickerand Huw Smith
! r , i s i ' a r c a r r , , rI-rar cr i - i r r r ! [ ' i . r D c . c c L , f r : l l r c
O ( ] c , : i : . r : : i i t : o l - l r , i i t : . l t -Lr r l c J c r - i . :, r i i - c , l t
'il
att I e |tte Lo r'.: i,,L.a-.t'.r ar'oD o or,1si.
r ) , p t o s p ( ) r i d i t t r lttrn r v t r nr i s a p r o t o z o a n p r e t r a s i twei t h a c o m p l e x
lif'e cycle, inr,olving Lroth asexual ancl sexutrl reprocluctivc cycles
w h i c h a r e c o r - r - r p l e t ercvl i t h i n a n i n c l i v i c l u a l h o s t ( m o n o x e n o u s ) .
thoseindividualsi n w h o m t h e i n r m u n c ' r s u p p r e s s i o n c a n b e r e l i e v e d ,
symptornspersistunabateduntil
or in whorn the diseaseresolves,
the patientdies.
C . p n r v r t t r ti n f e c t s t h e c n t e r o c y t c sw h i c h l i r - r et h e i n t e s t i n a l t r t r c t a n d
i s r e s p o n s i b l ef b r c r y p t o s p o r i c l i o s i si r - tt - t - r i tat .nr d d o m e s t i c m i r m m a l s .
susceptilrlehosts. In a human volunteer study, the ID.,, fbr
Small numbers of inf'ectious oocvsts ciur callse ir-rfection in
C . p o r v r u n w i r s 1 3 2 o o c , v s t sa, l t h o r , r g hi n f e c t i o n o c c u r r e c l i n 6 2 % o f
The intracellr.rlarrcprodr-rctivestages are extracytoplasmic and
in tl-re bnrsh borders of
resicle in a parasitophorous
",i.tcttole
enterocytes where tl'rey interf'ere witl-r f-lr.ridand nutrient absorption.
volunteers ineesting 30 oocl,sts or more of an Iorva str;rin of the
A r , r t o - i n f ' e c t i o ror c c u r s r v i t h i n t h i s n r o n o x e l t o u s l i f ' e c y c l e e n s u r i n g
r-nice,lvhereirs l0 oocysts proclucecl infection in 2 or-rt of 2 inf-ant
t h e b r , r i l crl . r po f l a r r g en u n r b e r s o f p a r a s i t e s .I n f ' e c t i o n i s t r a n s m i t t e d
b y a n e n v i r o r - r r n e n t a l l yr o b u s t o o c y s t e x c r e t e d i n t h e f a e c e so f t h e
i r r f ' e c t e chlo s t . C ) o c y s t so f C - .p o r v t u n a r e s p h e r i c a l ( 4 . 5 x 5 . 0 p m ) , a r e
non-hurran primates tested.Five oocysts produced clinical disease
firlly sporr.rlateclancl inf-cctior-rslvhen excreted, with r-rp to l0l0
s r " r s c e p t i b lneo n - h u m a r n h o s t s . T r a n s n r i s s i o n o f i n f ' e c t i o n c i r n o c c u r
o o c v s t se x c r e t e dd u r i n s t h c c o u r s e o f i n f ' e c t i o n .
W h i l e s o m e i n f e c t i r - r n sr - n i r 1b' e a s y m p t o r - u a t i c ,d i a r r l - r o e ai s t h e
through any rollte by rvhich nraterial contaminatecl r,vith viable
predonrinant synrptonr in humirn cryptosporidiosis and cirn be
W h i l s t i n i t i a l c a s e so f h u r - n a n i n f e c t i o n r v e r e b e l i e v e d t o h a v e b e e n
irccor-r-rprrnied
by lolv grade fever, Irirttseir, vomitir-tg, abclominal
'f'lu-like'
i l l n e s s . S y n - r p t o n - r lsa s t
p a i n , a n o r c x i a , f l a t r . r l e n c ea n d a
3 - 2 0 ( r n e a n 6 ) d a y s t y p i c a l l y a n d t h e r e i s a n e q u a l d i s t r i b r , r t i o no f
acquired fiom non-humarn hosts, person-to-person transmission
p a r a s i t e .I n o t h e r s t u c l i e s ,1 0 0 o o c y s t s p r o d u c e c l i n f e c t i o n i n 2 2 o / oo t
in gnotobiotic [an.rbs.
Inf'ectior-rcan be transnritted bctrveen humirn beings and other
o o c y s t s e x c r e t e d b y i n f - ec t e d i n d i v i d u a l s c a n r e a c h t h e m o u t h .
ol C. parvrrnl is the major roLrte.Secondary cases ancl possiblv
llsyurptomirtic excretors can be a source of ir-rfection fbr other
cirses betweeu the scxes. No tlocunrentecl effbctive specific drr-rg
t r e a t m e n t i s a v a i l a b l e .l L e h y c l r a t i o no f t h e p a t i e n t n r a y b e r e q u i r e d
in severe crrses.In patients r,vith recluced or impaired immr-rnit,v,
s r - r s c e p t i b lpee r s o n s .T r i r n s n r i s s i o nc a n o c c l l r r e a d i l y i n f a m i l i e s a n d
tl-resesymptorr-rsctrn be protractecl and the inf-ection can be lifethreatening. A severe cholera-like illness can occLlr resultirtg in
and wildlife and these nay be important reservoirs of human
intractable nauseil, n,eight loss irncl scverc clel-rydration.Except in
r-r.rr-neroLls
high or.rtpr"rtof infective ooc)/sts fl-or-r-r
mannralian hosts
a m o n g p r e - s c h o o l c l - r i l c ' l r e rC
- rr.y p t o s p o r - i d i o s i s h a s b e e n r e p o r t e d
i n d o m e s t i c a t e d a n i n a l s i n c l r " r d i n gc o n r p r l n i o n a n i m a l s , l i v e s t o c k
infection. The broad host rangc exemplified LtyC. porv unr and the
ensuresa high level of environmental contamination. Food-borne
and air-borne routes have been documented,but further evidence
is required to clarifr the significanceof theseroutes of transmission.
Sexual transmission has also been documented. Outbreaks of
cryptosporidiosis have been recorded in nursery schools, daycare centresand playgroups,in institutions and hospitals,following
touching/holding/feeding infected lambs and calves during
educational farm visits, following consumption of oocystcontaminated apple cider, following the accidental ingestion
of swimming pool water and the consumption of contaminated
drinking water.
Water-borne transmission of C. parvum has received much
publicity and, over the last 10 years, 17 water-borne outbreaks,
affecting over an estimated 418,000 individuals, have been
documented.Water-borne outbreaks in the USA and the UK have
been associatedwith untreated drinking water, water receiving
chlorine disinfection only and water receiving conventional
treatment (e.g. coagulation, sedimentation,sand filtration and
chlorination).
The detection of Cryptosporidiumoocysts in water has become
the most challenging task facing the water microbiologist,
largely because the organism cannot be cultured in vitro from
environmental samplesand becausethe levels of detection which
are required are so low The processof detectingthe organism can
be broken down into three basic steps, namely concentration,
separationand detection.Each of thesestepshas its own problems
and each of these needs to be addressedto substantiallyimprove
the overall method. Whilst there is a draft UK standard method,
no single procedure is suitable for all water types or for all
purposes.When selectinga method to be used for analysingwater
samples,the type of water and the reason for sampling should be
borne in mind.
Sincethe infectious dose of C. parvum is low, it is important that
the sensitivity of the procedure for detecting these organisms is
Crypnsporidiumoocysts stained with an FITC-labelledmonoclonal antibody.
high and that whereverpossible,large volumes of water should be
examined.Currently,three methods of samplecollection are utilized
in the UK: cartridge filtration, membrane filtration and calcium
carbonate flocculation. Cartridge filtration has the advantagethat
large volumes of water can be concentratedalthough the efficienry
of the concentration and subsequent elution of the captured
material has been questioned. Both membrane filtration and
calcium carbonate flocculation suffer from the problem that only
a relativelysmall volume (up to 40 litres) can be concentrated.This
may be adequatein some cases,but monitoring of treated drinking
water should, wherever possible,utilize larger volumes. However,
concentrationof largevolumes of water may not be beneficialif the
amount of resultingmaterial is so largethat only a small fraction can
be examined. For this reason,a separation or purification step is
required to separateoorysts from other particulate materials.Three
suchtechniquesare available,a densityseparationbasedon flotation
of sampleson a sucrosesolution of known density,flow cytometry
with fluorescence-activatedcell sorting (FACS) and immunomagnetic separation (IMS). Of these,the most widely used worldwide is sucroseflotation, despitethe fact that the recoveryefficiency
of this step is extremely low. The use of flow cytometry for the
detectionof Cryptosporidiumoocystswas first describedin 1991and
subsequentlyFACS was successfullyapplied to the separation of
oocysts from other particulates.This technique has now become
widely used throughout the UK although it is expensive,requires
considerableexpertiseand may not be suitable for some samples.
IMS appears to offer a simple and reliable way of separating
oocysts from other particulates,but initial work showed that the
efficiencyof the procedure was severelycompromised by the high
levels of particulates.However, more recently,the use of an IgG
anti-Cryptosporidium antibody in place of the previously used
IgMs showed that the presenceof particulates had far less effect.
The detection of the oocysts relies on the use of monoclonal
antibodies labelled with FITC and examination of water
concentrateswith epifluorescencemicroscopy. Preliminary or
presumptive identification can usually be made on the basis of
size and shape of the oocyst, but definitive identification requires
the examination of suspectparticles with differential interference
contrast microscopy (DIC) with which the internal structures of
the oocyst can be examined. Whilst DIC can aid considerably
in identifring oocysts,one problem is that a large proportion of
oocystsfound in the environment have lost their contents and are
therefore impossible to identiff absolutely.Although these oocysts
are of no health significanceper se,the detection of any oocystsin
treated drinking water is cause for concern since their presence
demonstrates that oocysts are passing through treatment and
thus that viable and infectious oocysts may also be present. This
issue of viability of oocysts has prompted considerable effort
aimed at developing assays to determine viability. The most
widely used of these for environmental samples is the DAPI/PI
technique developedat the ScottishParasiteDiagnostic Laboratory
in Glasgow.
There are a considerablenumber of reports in the literature
describingthe recoveryefficiencyof various techniquesand whilst
some reports quote recoveriesof up to 70o/o,it is generallyaccepted
that the true recovery varies considerablybetween samples.This
variation is due to a number of factors including water quality, the
age and condition of the oocysts,the method employed and the
operator, and the likely recovery efficiency for naturally occurring
samplesis in the range of 0-25 o/o.Considerableefforts are under
way to develop more efficient and reliable procedures for oocyst
detection but as yet there has been no substantialimprovement in
the methods employed in routine laboratories.This can largely be
attributed to the difficult nature of the task and the lack of research
monies.
Colin Fricker is at ThamesWaterUtilities in Readingand Huw Smith
is at the ScottishParasiteDiagnostic Laboratory in Glasgow.
VEno CvroroxIN-pRoDUCINGEscnnnICHIA
A recentoutbreakof fatalillnessassociated
wrth meat productsin Scotlandhasfocused
publicattentionon E.co/iO 157,an enteric
pathogenwhich has emerged in the past
l5 years.Whatisthis organismandwhy is
it so imoortant?
coLr01 57: CeuspFoRCoxcERN
Henry R. Smith
E scherichiacoli 0157 has had considerablemedia coveragein
-D recent months following the large outbreaks in |apan and
Central Scotland in 1996.Problems associatedwith this organism
and food safety have been highlighted particularly in relation to
abattoirs and handling of meats in retail outlets. Although the
numbers of infections are small compared with those resulting
or Salmonella,theseverityof diseasefrequently
from Campylobacter
associatedwith Vero cytotoxin-producing E. coli OI57 has
demonstratedwhy infections causedby this pathogen should be
regardedas an important public health problem.
Vero cytotoxin (VT) was first describedin Canadain 1977when
it was observed that there was a cytotoxic effect on Vero cells
(African green monkey kidney cells) with culture supernatantsof
certain strainsof E. coli. However,it was not until 1982183that the
importanceof Vero cytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) in human
diseasewas recognized.VTEC strains of serogroup OI57 (0157
VTEC) were isolatedin the United Statesand Canadafrom patients
with severebloody diarrhoea. In the same year a closeassociation
was reported betweenVTEC, including strains of serogroup OI57,
and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a diseasecharacterized
by acuterenal failure.The early studiesshowedthat the Ol57 VTEC
strains usually possessedthe flagellar antigen H7 and were
distinguishablefrom most other E. coli strainsbecausethey did not
fermentsorbitol.Although strainsof serogroupO157 are the most
important in human diseaseat present,E. coli of many different
serogroupsproduceVT. There are two main classesof VT belonging
to a family of related toxins that includes Shigatoxin produced by
type I and the plant toxin, ricin. For this reason
Shigelladysenteriae
VTEC is alsotermed Shiga-liketoxin-producingE. coli.Thebiological
activity of all these toxins in eukaryotic cells is to inhibit protein
synthesisby cleavageof a specificglycosidicbond in the 28SrRNA.
Ol57 VTEC can causea wide spectrumof diseasefrom a mild
diarrhoeato haemorrhagiccolitis and HUS. Symptomsof haemorrhagiccolitis often begin with abdominal pain and watery diarrhoea,
followed by bloody diarrhoea frequently without fever.In addition
to acuterenal failure, HUS is characterizedbyhaemolytic anaemia
and throhbocytopaenia (reducednumber of platelets).HUS occurs
in all agegroups but is most common in young children and is the
major causeof acute renal failure in children in Britain and several
other countries.The receptor for VT, the glycolipid Gb3, is present
in human renal cellsand human renal
l0
endothelial cells grown in culture are
very sensitive to the action of VT.
Approximately 10o/o of cases with
0157 VTEC infection develop HUS
but the reasons why only certain
individuals are affected are not
understood. Fatal casesoccur in all
age groups but are more common in
young children and the elderly. As
seen in the recent Central Scotland
outbreak, the mortality rates may be
up to 5 o/oand havebeen much higher
in some institutional outbreaks.
One of the major routes of transmission of 0157 VTEC to humans
is through the consumption of
contaminated foods, particularly
inadequately cooked minced beei
such as beefburgers,and unpasteurized
milk or milk contaminated after
pasteurization. Other vehicles of
9
-
C
.Ag
o1
infection are cooked meats, meat pies, yogurt, cheese,fermented
sausage,raw vegetables,unpasteurizedapple juice and water. Poor
hygiene practices can result in cross-contamination from raw to
cooked or ready-to-eatfoods. The infectious dose of Ol57 VTEC
appearsto be very low, probably lessthan 100 organisms,and this is
an important factor in the transmissionof theseorganisms.Healthy
cattlearethe main reservoirfor O157VTEC, although they havealso
been detected recently in sheep.In the abattoir carcassesbecome
contaminatedfrom faecallysoiled hides and contact with intestinal
contents at slaughter.There have also been reports of isolations of
0157 VTEC from deer, goats, horses, geese,dogs and seagulls.
Contamination of the farm environment is likely to lead to the
spreadof the organismsto different animals and the control of this
will be very difficult. O157VTEC can surviveunder a wide spectrum
of conditions including low pH. Direct contact with farm animals
has resultedin sporadic infections and outbreakshave been linked
to farm visits. Person-to-personspread is an important route of
transmission in family outbreaks and in institutions such as
nurseriesand homes for the elderly. The duration of excretion of
0157 VTEC appearsto be longer in young children than in older
children and adults; Ol57 VTEC positive stool cultures detected
more than 3 weeksafter onset of symptoms have been reported in
severaloutbreaks.This is clearly of importance in the prevention of
spreadin institutional outbreaks.
There has been a significant increasein the isolations of 0157
VTEC and a rise in outbreakscausedby this pathogenin Britain and
severalother parts of the world. The numbers of confirmed isolates
of O 157VTEC in 1996in Englandand Wales,and Scotlandwere 660
and 506, respectively.The ratesper 100,000population are variable
throughout Britain with the highest ratesin Scotland.The doubling
of the rate for Scotlandin 1996comparedwith 1995was due to the
Central Scotlandoutbreak from which 272 caseswere confirmed by
isolationof 0157 VTEC (Fig. l).
The increasesprobably result from improved isolation techniques
and better ascertainmentas well as a true increasein infections
causedby O157 VTEC. The agerange of affectedindividuals is very
wide with a peak in children lessthan 4 yearsold. Most casesof O157
VTEC infection appearto be sporadic but outbreaksoccur both in
family settings as well as in institutions and the community. In
Britain there havebeen over 40 generaloutbreaksin the last 3 years
Englond&Woles
scoflond
Nodhernlrelond
=t
o
8.6
8
5
o
o'4
o
o
b
2
e.
'l
0
I 98]
Sourcei'
',82 '83
'84
'85
'86
',87 '88
lobotofoty of Ent€,lc tutttogila
%ollbh Cenhe fot lnfectlon onct Envl@'1l.ncnlol Heatlh
'89
'90
'9't
Yeor
Fig. l. lsolationrates of VFproducingE coliO | 57 in the UK, 198l-1996.
'92
'93
'94
'95
'96
' 73(t7)- Sandriches,
usA(re8e)
Community
England( 199l)
Restaurants
usA(ree"e3)Restaurants
( 1994) Farm visit
England
Scotland(19%) Community
Schools,
Japan(1996)
243 (4)
23
732 (4')
7
r00 (l)
(13)
c. 10,000
pe6on to penson
Water
Beeburgers
Beeburgers
Animalcontact
Milk
Foods
community
(1996) Community
Scotland
4 e 6(r8 ) Cookedmeats,
Sravy
with most of them affecting only small numbers of people.Table I
shows examples representing different countries, settings, food
vehiclesand modes of transmission.
Most of the largestoutbreakscausedby O157VTEC haveoccurred
in the last few years and often involved the wide distribution of
particular foods. In the western United States in 199211993an
outbreak was causedby contaminated beefburgersfrom multiple
outlets of a restaurantchain. The identification and withdrawal of
the incriminated batcheswere consideredto have limited the scale
of the outbreak.In |apan over 10,000caseswere reported in several
different prefecturesbetween the end of May and September1996
with the largestfocus in Sakaicity where over 6,300 people were ill
in fuly. Most of the victims were school children and it was thought
that school meals,from central kitchensserving many schools,were
the sourceof infection, but specificfood vehicleswere not identified.
The largestoutbreak in Britain occurred in Central Scotlandin late
1996where there were 496 casesand 18 deaths.The infectionswere
associatedwith consumption of meat and gravy originating from a
butcher. The scale and severity of outbreaks are clearly dependent
on the distribution of the vehicle of infection and the population
affected,with young children and the elderly being most at risk.
Measuresfor the control and prevention of O I 57 VTEC infections
havebeen addressedin Britain. In 1995the Advisory Committee on
the Microbiological Safetyof Food produced a report on,VTEC and
following an investigation of the Central Scotland outbreak a
As a follow-up to the previousarticle,
microbiologistsfrom the Institute of
Food Researchconsidersome strategtes
which show promise for controlling
E.coliO157in the future,
p scherichiacoli serotype0157 was first isolatedfrom pigletswith
.ljenteritis in 1972,and strains of E. coli producing a toxin active
againstcultured Vero cells were first described in 1977.Genetically,
the O157:H7 clone, linked with haemorrhagic colitis, is more
closely related to O55: H7 strains that are established human
pathogens,than to strainsof O157 associatedwith enteric infections
in animals.It is now believed that a new pathogen emergedwhen
an O55: H7-like progenitor, already possessinga mechanism for
adherenceto intestinal cells, acquired determinants for Shiga-like
toxinsand plasmid-encodedadhesins.
As alreadydescribed(p. 54), the first outbreaks of human food
poisoning causedby Vero cytotoxic E. coli OI57:H7 occurred in
1982in the US and Canadaand the number of laboratory-confirmed
casesin the UK is increasingyearon year.
group chaired by ProfessorHugh Pennington has just published
their final report. The 1995 report made severalrecommendations
for prevention and control measuresin relation to VTEC in foods.
Relevant sections of the food industry should adopt a Hazard
Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach to prevent
contamination by VTEC and to minimize their survival in food.
The sale of unpasteurized milk should be banned in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland. Other important recommendations
included guidance for basic good food hygiene practices such as
thorough cooking of foods, particularly minced beef and minced
beef products, and improved labelling of foods, including cheese
made from raw milk. Many of these recommendations made in
1995 w€re included and extended in the final report by the
PenningtonGroup. They made 32 recommendationsin eight major
areascoveringall aspectsof food production and consumption from
'farm
to fork'. The Government acceptsall the recommendations
and some of the major changesthat havebeen proposedwill require
new or revisedlegislation.
Any effective control and prevention measures must break the
three major transmission routes, that is, food-borne infections,
direct or indirect contactwith animalsand person-to-personspread.
The guidelinesfor the control of spreadof infection, particularly in
institutions, must take account of the low infectious dose and the
severity of disease,especiallyin young children and the elderly. To
increase safety measures in laboratories, the Health and Safety
Executive have proposed that VTEC be reclassified from hazard
group 2 to hazard group 3 and this will be implemented in 1997.
Effectivecontrol of the public healthproblemscausedby 0157 VTEC
will depend on much improved communication, collaboration,
education and training, including the Government, public health
organizations,consumersand all relevant sectionsof the food and
agricultural industries.
Henry R. Smith, Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens,Central Public
Health Laboratory,6l Colindale,4venue,London NW9 5HT.
FURTHER
READING
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE MICROBIOLOGICAL SAFETYOF
FOOD ( 1995).Reporton Verocytotoxin-producing
Escherichiacoli.
L o n d o n :H M S O ( I S B N :0 - l 1 - 3 2 1 9 0 9 - l ) .
PENNINGTON, H. (1997).The Pennington Group. Reportson the
circumstancesleading to the 1996 outbreak of infection with E. coli 0157 in
Central Scotland,the implicationsfor food safetyand the lessonsto be
learned.Edinburgh:The StationeryOffice (ISBN:0-11-495851-3).
EscunnrcHrA
coLr0157:
Fnou Fenu ro FoRKANo BpyoND
Bernard M. Mackey and Glenn R. Gibson
CONTROLIN THEFOODCHAIN
Foods most commonly implicated are under-cooked minced
beef and unpasteurized milk. However, outbreaks have also been
associatedwith cheese,salami,raw vegetables,unpasteurizedapple
juice and water. The infective dose, estimated from counts of the
organismin foods associatedwith outbreaks,appearsto be lessthan
50 organisms.
The percentageof bovine carcassesinfected is typically l-5 o/0,but
the incidenceis very variable and higher levelshave been reported.
One study showed that E. coli OI57 could be isolated from 2-3o/o
of frozen beefburgersor minced beef, but was not detected in
ready-to-eatproducts.
The factors affecting carriage in live cattle and the particularly
high incidence of the organism in Scotland are not understood.
55
May t997
SGMQUARTERLY
pressure to inactivate pathogenic micro-organisms, particularly
E . c o l i O 1 5 7 a n d L i s t e r i n t n o t r c c y t o g e n e sS. i n c e t h i s c a n b e d o n e
without the application of heat, flavour compounds are not
L
E
destroyed. Pressure is known to affect several components of the
n-ricrobial cell, including enzyrnes, ribosomes, nucleic acids and
o
.c
tr
membranes, but critical events leading to cell death have not yet been
identified. Resistanceto pressure varies between speciesand depends
f
DO
c
tr
€
on the food environment ir-rwhich cells are pressurized. Strains of
E . c o l i O 1 5 7 s h o w g r e a t v a r i a t i o n i n p r e s s u r er e s i s t a r t c es, o m e b e i n g
o
o
more resistant than L. rnonocytogenesshown in Fig. 1.
S t r a i n v a r i a t i o n i n r e s i s t a n c et o i n i m i c a l c o n d i t i o n s a p p e a r s t o b e
o0
a feature of many food-borne pathogens, including E. coli O157,
Salmonella typhinturitLttt, S. enteritidis and l. nnnocytogenes.
L
I
J
0
200
400
600
Pressure (MPa)
Fig l.The effectof pressureon viablecounts of Pseudomonos
frogi(' ),
(O)
thompson( ) and Listeriomonocytogenes
Hafnio olvei(a), Solmonello
after 5 min treatment.
T h e P e n n i n g t o n R e p o r I ( 1 9 9 7 ) h a s c o n c l u d e d t h a t r e s e a r c hs h o u l d
be carried out on prevalence of the organism in Scottish cattle and
the biology of its carriage. If an association can be established
between E. coli and dietary factors, husbandry practice or handling
before slaughter, it may become possible to reduce the probability of
carriage by appropriate preventive measures'
During slaughter, there is arnple oPportunity for bacteria present
on the hide or in the gut to be transferred to the meat surface.During
recent years legislation has been introduced to improve hygienic
standards in slaughterhouses. The regulations cover separation of
clean and dirty areas, cleaning of equipment and specifications
of materials to be used ot-t walls, floors and surfaces. While these
m e a s u r e sa r e d e s i r a b l e ,i t m u s t a l s o b e r e c o g n i z e d t h a t t h e k e y t o
hygienic slaiughterlies in the skill of the slaughtermen. Dirty carcasses
c a n a r i s e i n c l e a n s u r r o u n d i n g s i f e v i s c e r a t i o n i s c a r e l e s s l yd o n e
and the gut is punctured, or if dirt is transferredby hand from the
hide to the carcass surface. Conversely, a skilled slaughterman can
p r o d u c e c l e a n c a r c a s s e se, v e n w o r k i n g i n p r i m i t i v e c o n d i t i o n s .
A t t e m p t s t o d e c o n t a n t i n l t e c a r c a s s e su s i n g h o t w a t e r ' o r g a n i c
acids, chlorine, infra-red, nisin and trisodium phosphate have
o f t e n b e e n d i s a p p o i n t i n g . N e v e r t h e l e s s ,a n y t r e a t m e n t t h a t r e d u c e s
n u m b e r s a n d i n c i d e n c e o f t h e o r g a n i s m o n c a r c a s s e sw o u l d l o w e r
risk to the consumer. The use of a steam vacuuln sanitizer system
that reduced numbers of E. coli O 157 on beef tissueby about 5 log
units has been approved by the USDA.
The minimum growth temperature of E. coli in most media and
oC,
b u t i s l o w e r i n m e d i a c o n t a i n i n g l a c t o s e .T h e
food is around 6-8
risk of E. coli O157 growing under refrigerated storage may thus
vary depending on tl're type of food. Published data do not indicate
unusual heat resistance in E. coli C-157. The UK advice is that food
should be heated to an internal temperature of 70'C for 2 min.
Based on published D and z values for inactivation in beef, this
w o u l d r e d u c e n u m b e r s b y a r o u n d 5 0 l o g u n i t s . T h e s e g u i d e l i n e sa r e
c o n s i d e r a b l ym o r e s t r i n g e n t t h a n t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g U S r e g u l a t i o n s .
For example, the Fl)A recommended that burgers be heated until the
oC),no holding time being specified.
t e m p e r a t u r e r e a c h e s1 5 5 F ( 6 8 . 3
Investigation of an outbreak in Washington State in 1993 revealed
t h a t s o m e r e s t a u r a n t sw e r e o n l y c o o k i n g h a m b u r g e r p a t t i e s t o 5 6 ' C .
Reports that E. coli can survive in acid conditions have caused
c o n c e r n i n t h e f o o d i n d u s t r y . I n 1 9 9 3 a n d 1 9 9 6 ,o u t b r e a k s o f H U S
Mutations in rpoS in E. coli 0157 affect resistance to acid, heat,
salt and starvation, and it will be interesting to discover whether
v a r i a t i o n i n r e s i s t a n c eo f n a t u r a l i s o l a t e si s r e l a t e d t o r p o S a c t i v i t y .
T h e r e i s n o w s o m e c o n c e r n t h a t t h e s t r e s s r e s p o n s e s ,n e e d e d t o
survive in lightly preserved food, n-rayenhance virulence.
The ability to predict the behaviour of microbes in food frorn a
knowledge of food composition and structure is of great use to
industry and allows the number of empirical inoculated pack trials
to be reduced. Data for predicting growth of E. coli 0157 have
been generated at IFR fbr inclusion in Food MicroModel and the
predictions have been satisfhctorilyvalidated by comparison with
published growth ratesin different foods (Fig. 2).
B E Y O N DT H E F O R K
Thereis anotheraspectwhich may proveuseftrlin prophylactic
management of gastrointestinal infections. This involves the gut
m i c r o f l o r a c o m p o s i t i o n a n d a c t i v i t i e s .T h e h u m a n c o l o n c o n t a i n s a
v a s t d i v e r s i t y o f b a c t e r i a l s p e c i e s ,w i t h w e l l o v e r 9 0 o / oo f t o t a i c e l l s
i n t h e b o d y b e i n g p r o k a r y o t e s i n t h e l a r g e i n t e s t i n e .T h e g u t n t i c r o biota comprises some bacteria that offer improved colonization
r e s i s t a n c e- m a i n l y t h e l a c t i c m i c r o f l o r a r .F o r t h i s r e i l s o l l , a n d o t h e r
purported health benefits, organisms such as lrifidobacteria arnd
lactobacilli are added as probiotics to fermented milk products and
'over
the counter' lyoprhilized forms. Records
are also available as
(
' s o u r e d m i l k s ' ) h a v e b e e n i n g e s t e db y h u m a n s
p
r
o
b
i
o
t
i
c
s
t
h
a
t
show
since pre-biblical tirnes.However,it is unclear how well the bacteria
survive after ingestion.
An alternative is to use prebiotics which are non-digestible
food ingredients that are selectively n-retabolized only by certain
components of the colonic microflora. They are, therefore, nonviable food components which are specifically ferrnented by the
i n d i g e n o u s ' h e a l t h - p r o m o t i n g ' g e n e r a .O l i g o s a c c h a r i d e st h a t c o n t a i n
fructose have the ability to stimulate bifidobacteria such that, after
a s h o r t f e e d i n g p e r i o d , t h e y b e c o n - r en u m e r i c a l l y p r e d o m i n a n t i n
t h e f a e c e so f h u m a n v o l u n t e e r s( F i g . 3 ) .
Is there any mileage in improved microflora ntanagement,
through prebiotics, directed towards prevention of gastroir-rtestinal
i n f e c t i o n s u c h a s t h a t c a u s e dL > yE . c o l i O l 5 7 ? O u r r e c e n t r e s e a r c hh a s
t00
-c
o
tr
.E
t0
b0
=
lll
o
o
41
i n t h e w e s t e r n U S A a n d C a n a d a w e r e a s s o c i a t e dw i t h c o n s u m P t i o n
of unpasteurized apple juice. It was shown that the organism cor'rld
survive in the product for up to 3l d at pH 3.6-4.0. Subsequently,
severalreports of the acid tolerance of the organism under laboratory
conditions have emerged, though the results are somewhat variable.
The basis of this variation and the mechanisms involved are currently
being investigated at IFR and elsewhere.
With continued consumer pressure for fresher more natural foods
there has been a trend towards milder processing and the decreased
use of preservatives.We are investigating the use of high hydrostatic
-.. t 5
20
Temperature
('C)
30
Fig2.A quadraticresponsesurfacefitted to growth rate data for E.coli
O l57.The quadraticfunction is then used to predict growth as a function
of the environmentalconditions.
shown that some speciesof Bifidobacterium
Sucrose
(mainly B. infantis and B. longum) are able to
exert powerful antagonistic activities towards
1 - ingestionof prebiotic
E. coli 0157. That is, in laboratory cultures,
(e.9.nondigestible
the bifidobacteria exerted an anti-microbial
oligosaccharides)
activity which was not related to pH or
growth media constituents.
The story possibly takes on an added
relevance with the recognition that faecal
Fructooligosaccharides
liver
stomach
bifidobacteria show a marked decreaseabove
the age of about 55 years.It may be lessthan
4- improved
a coincidence that the recent UK fatalities 3 fermentedby selected
components
of
the
flora
microbiota
during the E. coli outbreak have involved the
e.g.bifidobacteria,
lactobacilli
composition
elderly.There could be a connection between
reduced pathogen resistance,low numbers
2 - prebiotic
smallintestine
of bifidobacteria and the natural production
transfers
to colon
I aacteroides
largeintestine
factors.
of inhibitory
I sifidobacteria
Whilst the analogywill remain conjectural
I ctostrtdta
for the recent outbreaks, it may be that
Q Fusobacterla
improved colonization resistanceis achievable
through prebiotic usage,with the elderly being
Fig. 3. The prebiotic concept and a diagrammaticrepresentationof how l5 g oligosaccharidesd-l
an important target group. Prebioticsoccur in
for l5 dayscan influencethe hecal microflora composition.The data are from a human volunteer
trial that involved a controlled diet, the only variable being addition of sucrose or fructose.
over 30,000 plant materials; however, the
current dietary level is probably not sufficiently
high to markedly affectthe gut flora composition Intake of higher
however, there may be an additional preventative strategy beyond
quantities is possible though their extraction, purification and
the latter.
possible incorporation into more common foodstuffs such as
BernardM. Mackeyand GlennR. Gibsonarefrom theMicrobiology
cereals,cakes,confectionery,etc.
(IFR),Reading.
Department,Institute
of FoodResearch
in
gut
likely
however,
Protectiveeffects the
are
to be multi-factorial;
it is possiblethat organismslike bifidobacteriado contribute. Apart
R E FE R E N C E S
from the direct antimicrobial effects mentioned above, other
PENNINGTON,
H. (L997).The Pennington Group. Reportson the
mechanismsthat may involve the normal flora include a lowering
circumstancesleading to the 1996outbreak of infection with E. coli 0157 in
gut
pH,
for
receptor
normally
of the
competition
binding or
sites
Central Scotland,the implicationsfor food safetyand the lessonsto be
occupiedby pathogens,competition for nutrients or other growth
learned.Edinburgh: The StationeryOffice (ISBN: 0-11-495851-3).
factors)and better immune status.
PUBLIC HEAUIH LABORATORY SERVICE (1996). Verocytotoxin
Improved hygiene between the farm and fork is paramount;
ProducingEscherichiacoli 0157 Fact Sheet.
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Tom Salusbury
FOODSI
WHATAREFUNCTIONAL
Functional foods claim to provide the consumer with certain health
benefits.They are of greatinterestto the fapanesefood industry asthey
enablecompaniesto add value to their products. They are an advance
on previous generationsof enriched products (e.g.margarine with
addedvitamins) and or specialdietary foods (e.g.reducedfoods for
people wishing to lose weight). Confusingly,severaldifferent terms
are used to describetheseproducts. In the West, we have invented
the term'nutriceuticals'.The |apanesegovernment prefersthe term
'foods
for specifiedhealth use'('tokuteihokenyo shokuhin').However,
the fapanesefood industry, trade press,massmedia and consumers
all use the lessformal term'functional foods' ('kinoseishokuhin').
FOODINDUSTRY
DEVELOPMENT
OFTHEFUNCTIONAL
The foundations of the fapanesefunctional food industry were laid
in 1984by ProfessorFujimaki at the University of Tokyo. Professor
Fujimaki's team took food researchinto a new area, different from
traditional studies of nourishment, wholesomeness,fortification
and reducing certain ingredients.Instead, they looked at ways of
factors and
enhancing factors such as immunity disease-resistance
the control of serum cholesterolthrough specialfoods.
The Ministry of Health & Welfare(MHW) is the agenryresponsible
for both food safetyand the pharmaceuticalsector.In fune 1993,the
MHW approved |apan's first two functional foods: Shiseido'sFine
Rice (with reduced globulin) and Morinaga's Low Phosphorus
SpecializedFormula LPK (for renal dialysispatients).Other products
followed and by October 1996, the number of functional foods
availableto the fapaneseconsumerhad risen to 73. The trade paper
Nikkei Biotechnologyestimated that the fapanesefunctional foods
market is now worth over Y30billion (t150 million) per year.Takara
Shuzo'sCalcium Parlor (a soft drink with increasedbioavailabilityof
calcium) accounts for 70oloof total sales.Between 1994 and 1995,
salesof this product increasedby 250%. Other popular products are
Suntory's Yoghurina (with 13o/oof total sales) and Calpis Food
Industry's Oligo CC (14%). Both are drinks which increasethe
number of bifidobacteriain the gut.
Productswhich satisfr the MHW's criteria can be marketedwidely"
They are sold in pharmacies,aswell assupermarketsand convenience
stores.All of theseproducts carry an official MHW mark to denote
their statusas'foodsfor specifiedhealth use'.They must contain only
natural food ingredientsand must not contain any drugs or artificial
additives.The health benefit claimed must be explainedclearly on
the label,togetherwith an indication of how much needsto be eaten
to achievethe desired effect. For example:
For peopleconcernedabout cholesterol.Regularusecan reducethe
in your blood by 10o/o.Shouldnot be takenby
levelof cholesterol
hyp ercholester
ol p atients.
THE APPROVAL PROCESS
To gain approval,the manufacturermust demonstratethat the product
hasa beneficialeffect.Thesebeneficialeffectsmight include control of
serum cholesterol,prevention of tooth decay,reduction in the effects
of allergens,improved absorption of minerals, control of serum
glucose,encouragingthe growth of beneficialgut bacteria and the
control of blood pressure.The aim is not to prevent diseasebut to
promote health in healthy people.
The approvalprocessinvolvessevenrelativelysimple steps.The first
step is for the company to approachthe local public health centre and
local authority. Further stepsinvolve a submissionto the MHW Office
of Health Policy on Newly DevelopedFoods,a presentationto an
evaluation committee of 42 expertsand testing at MHW's National
Institute of Health & Nutrition. Experimental data must be submitted
Japan has a unique functional food
industry.This is now a burgeoning
sector; with 73 products available.
Japanmay have a l0 year lead in what
may becomea hugeglobalindustry.
to back up claims, though the actual researchdoes not have to be
done in lapan. Companies usually show evidence of in vitro health
effects,as well as demonstrating the effects in experimental animals
and humans.Here MHW havepreparedextensiveguidelinesto help
applicants.As most products contain traditional food components,
there is no need for the detailed efficary and toxicity tests required
for new drugs. However, there is an extra step for a natural product
which is not normally eatenin large amounts, such as chitosan.
The list of 73 approvedproducts includes22 oligosaccharidesand 15
lactosucrosepreparations.All claim to be suitable for those concerned
about the condition of their gut, as they encouragebifidobacteriato
flourish.In a countrywhere osteoporosisis common, it not surprising
to find three products which claim to increasecalcium absorption.
Other products contain soy protein ('to reduce high blood cholesterol'),chitosan('to inhibit cholesterolabsorption in the gut'), fibre
(both insoluble and soluble types) and a Eucommia leaf glycoside
('to relievemild hypertension').Somechocolatesand chewing gums
contain green tea polyphenols,which are claimed to counteractthe
tooth decayingpropertiesof the main ingredients.
WHAT NEXT?
Food companieshave many new products in the pipeline. Some are
trying to develop new areas. Japan has several long-standing laws
which prevent quacks from claiming that their products can cure
cancer.However,the MHW officials we have spoken to concededthat
some claim for cancer-fightingproperties might be permissiblein the
future (perhapsusing wording like'encouragesthe organismsin your
stomachwhich fight cancer').However,they would haveto see"mountains of evidence"before allowing this type of claim. If such products
could be developed,this would be a major step for the industry.
A MARKETOVERSEASI
In 1995,a team of visiting British nutritionists concludedthat fapan
is at least 10 yearsaheadof Europe in the development of functional
foods. Sincethe mid 1980s,the UK food industry has devotedmost
of its researcheffiort into foods for special dietary uses,such as low
calorie products.The industry is now trying to improve its product
range and to add value in other ways. SeveralBritish companiesare
now thinking of entering the functional foods market but they
were divided on whether there would be a real market for thesefoods
in Europe and uncertain about the response of legislators.
(Historically, health claims have always been banned in Europe.)
However, there are now some new products which could justifr
health claims.One problem is that enforcementof food labellingis
dealt with at the local level. It is up to individual trading standards
officers to challenge claims made in food labelling. One solution
might be for the food industry to set up voluhtary guidelines,based
on an establishedmechanismfor substantiatinghealth claims.
)apan is the world's largest importer of food. In 1993, fapan
imported $723 billion of foodstuffs, fish, meat, fruit, vegetablesand
grain. Total exports came to only $27 billion. Although they will
never become major exporters of foods , severalfapanesecompanies
(including Ajinomoto and Yakult) have establisheda presencein
Europe and the USA. Selling functional foods could be a way
of breaking into these markets, either through exports or local
manufacture.In technology,most of fapan'smajor food companies
are integratedboth vertically (food ingredients,processingetc.)and
horizontally (cosmetics,pharmaceuticalsetc.). They certainlyhave
the technologicalcapabilityto do this.
Tom Salusburyhasjust left the British Embassyin TolEoafter 6 yearsa
First SecretaryScience(t Tbchnology.
He now worlcsfor the DTI.
Letter to tfr"eEfitor
UK Systematics
n
IOrUm
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Tur UK SvsrruarrcsFoRuu was set up in
February 1994to promote co-ordination
and communication between the major
UK collections-holding institutions
and the wider systematicscommunity.
In May 1996 the Forum began work
on developing a national strategy for
systematicbiology research.As part of
this initiative, it has recently carried out
a survey on user needs for systematics
and completed the analysis of the
database of UK systematic biology
expertise. Summaries of both these
reports are available on the Forum's
Web Page: http://www,nhm.ac,uk/uksf
where details of all the other activities
of the Forum are also posted.
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Scientist-Sch ool Lioison
SctEttcs Is A coMpulsoRy pnnr of the National Curriculum in
England,Wales and N. Ireland, but it is often taught by teachers
who have little direct experience of the subject outside school.
Practisingscientistswho developlinks with schoolscan considerably
enhancethe education receivedby pupils in a variety of ways.They
can bring sciencealive - demonstrating the relevanceof their work
to everydaylife and communicating the excitementand challenges
of research- aswell aspromoting the understandingof their subject
or helping with laboratory practicals. Interaction cart be with
primary schools,secondaryschoolsor tertiary colleges(or all three!).
Many scientistsprefer to form a link with one school,or evenone
teacherwithin a school,participating in a setof activitieswhich have
beenagreed.Otherswant to interact with more than one local school
or college,perhaps by giving a talk, offering work placementsfor
pupils or teachers,showing school parties around their workplace
laboratories or sites, putting on practical demonstrations or
donating surplus equipment to school laboratories.There are also
someschemesto promote scientific researchin schoolswhich will
be coveredin greater detail in a future issueof the Quarterly.
Interestedin promoting microbiology in this way? There are now
a number of guidesto assistscientistswho want to make links with
schools,some of which havebeen produced by the ResearchCouncils
to assisttheir own scientistswho now haveto promote their work to
the public as a condition of their grant, but which have a wider
application.
BBSRChas two useful booklets: Making that Link: A practical guide
A practical
to scientist-schoolliaisonand Scientistsand Primary Schools:
guide.Theformer containslots of information on how to run various
activitiesand events,with detailed examples of initiatives that have
alreadybeencarriedout. Severalof thesefeatureSGM memberswho
areactivein promoting microbiology and biotechnologyto schools.
This booklet also has a useful bibliography and list of relevant
organizations.The booklet aimed at working with primary schools
givessome generalbackground information for scientistsand then
Further information may also be
obtained from:
The Secretary,UK SystematicsForum
cioThe NaturalHrstoryMuseum
Cromwell Road,London SW7 5BD
T e l , 0 l 7| 9 3 8 9 5 7 7
F a x 0 l T l9 3 8 9 5 3 1
Email:erar@nhm.ac.uk
describesstarting points for investigationslinked to the National
Curriculum. Copies are available from Tracey Reader, BBSRC,
PolarisHouse,North StarAvenue,Swindon,Wilts SN2 1UH.
The Medical ResearchCouncil issue two free publications :
ScientistsThlking to SecondarySchools,which includes tips on how
to make a schoolstalk a success(and some dangerpoints to avoid!),
and ScientistsMaking Links with Primary Schools,which describes
the successfulMRC Teacher-ScientistLink Schemeas a model and
givesuseful tips, strategiesand ideas.Contact the Education Officer,
MRC,20 Park Crescent,London WIN 4AL.
COPUS (c/o The Royal Society,6Carlton House Terrace,London
SWI 5AG) offers Bringing Scienceto Schools,a leaflet for scientists
in researchinstitutions and higher education departments. This
includes a good overview of the range of potential activities and
describesthe activities of various bodies engagedin this areaof work.
Single copies of all of these publications are free. Scientific
Researchin Schools:A Compendium of Practical Experienceis also
free but f,2 is required to cover postage and packing. It is available
from The Clifton Scientific Tiust, clo 49 Northumberland Road,
Bristol 856 7BA. It includes individual case studies of scientific
research carried out in schools, details of science education
partnerships,an information index and a bibliography.
Whatever you decide to do, particularly in the way of practical
microbiological work, safety considerationsshould be paramount.
The Associationfor ScienceEducation (CollegeLane,Hatfield, Herts
AL10 9AA) has severaluseful publications which include detailed
guidanceon microbiology and biotechnology investigations.These
include Be Safe(for Key Stages1 & 2), price f,4.95,Topicsin Safety
(L7.50) and Safeguards
in the SchoolLaboratory(f,9). The DfEE has
recentlypublished Safetyin ScienceEducation (L14.95from HMSO
Publications Centre, PO Box 276, London SW8 5DT), but the
microbiology section is severelyflawed and contains a number of
errors.
Finally anyone wishing to promote microbiology in schools
should contact MISAC (Microbiology in Schools Advisory
Committee) c/o JanetHurst at SGM HQ.A number of factsheets
are availableon resources,speakersand so on.
Prexr Vrnus EprppMrolocyANp CoxTRoLTnuxING Counse
In,e,nev,Nrcrnra
IvrrnwanoNAL/r,rsrrrurEoF TnoptceLAcrucuLTURE,
f. Michael Thresh
appropriate practicals. The experience gained with the IITA
l inancial support from SGM and other organizationsenabledme
course will be invaluable in arranging such courses, but the
the
International
virologist
at
Hughes,
-F to assist facqueline
practical difficulties are formidable - not least the cost of
Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria, in holding
bringing together trainees from the different countries and
a training course in November 1996 on the epidemiology and
providing suitable tuition. Further details of the course can be
control of virusesof tropical crops.
its
ever
obtained from facqueline Hughes or Michael Thresh who would
first
of
type
have
been
the
to
The course is believed
also welcome comments on the status of plant virology in Africa
held in sub-SaharanAfrica where there is a dearth of trained
and suggestionson how to improve the current unsatisfactory
virologists and limited epidemiologicalexpertise.This is apparent
situation.
from the ever widening rift between the sophisticatedlaboratory
studiesbeing done in developedcountries on such tropical diseases
as groundnut rosette, maize streak and cassavamosaic and the
inadequateinformation availableon their behaviour and control.
Dr I. Michael Thresh is a Consultant Plant Virologist at the Natural
A similar unsatisfactory situation is developing with banana
ResourcesInstitute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue,
streak which is a diseaseof great topical importance in Nigeria,
Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 TB (TeL.01634880088).
Uganda and several other parts of Africa. Recent studies have
shown this diseaseto be caused by a novel pararetrovirus that
is being investigatedin laboratories in the
West but there is little information on the
distribution of the diseaseor its mode of
spread.
Fourteen trainees from nine different
African countries,togetherwith PhD students
and staff from IITA, attended the two-week
course. It is hoped to produce additional
copies of the training material for more
generaldistribution to the many others who
were unable to attend becauseof the lack of
travel funds.
The main emphasisof the course was on
epidemiological principles and specific
case histories of diseases of particular
importance in Africa, including maize
streak, assavamosaic, banana streak, cocoa
swollen root and groundnut rosette. Of
necessity,much of the time was spent in the
discussionroom, but part of each afternoon
was spent in the field or laboratories at
IITA and a visit was arrangedto the National
Plant.QuarantineStation at Moor Plantation,
Ibadan. Specialistcontributions to the course
were provided by Teifion Jones (Scottish
Crop Research Institute), Peter Markham
(John Innes Centre, UK), R.A. Naidu
(International Centre for Research in the
Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad), Forrest
Nutter (University of Iowa) and Laud
Ollennu (Cocoa Research Institute of
Ghana).Further contributions were provided
by workers from IITA and nearby research
centresin Nigeria.
The course was well received by the
participants and rated highly in the detailed
evaluationscarried out by the IITA Training
Unit. However a course of only two weeks
duration has obvious limitations given
the very diverse, and in some instances,
limited background of those involved. This
emphasizesthe need for additional short
courseson a wider range of virology topics Course participantsexaminingsymptomscausedby virusesof yam (top) and banana(bottom) at
and for a longer and more comprehensive the llTA,lbadan,Nigeria.
course lasting severalmonths and including
Reciprocal
Attendanceat
MeetingsHeld by
Other Societies
. the PhysiologicalSociety
Tnrnr EXISTS
a reciprocalscheme
between the Societies listed
belowwherebystudentmembers
are able to attend meetings on
the same basis as the host
society'smembers.This normally
meansthat attendanceis free of
registration charges,but if the
host society has to charge a fee
then student members of other
societieswill pay the samefee.
. the BiochemicalSociety
. the GeneticalSociety
SGM Student Members wishing
to attend a meeting of another
society in the scheme should
contactthe meetingsofficeof the
body concernedprior to the final
datefor registrationfor the meeting and completethe appropriate
booking forms.On arrivalat the
meeting, the student should
registerat the conference
deskand
be preparedto provide evidence
of his/hermembershipof SGM.
Pleasenote that prior registration
for any meetingis essential.
. the British Pharmacological
Society
r the British Societyfor
Immunology
The SecondEuropeanMeetingof Virology
Universityof Southampton,
3-5 September1997
Grantsfor YoungerSGM Members
Funds are available to assist
a limited number of PhD
studentsand first postdoctoral
workers to attend this
meeting. Applications for
funding, giving the reasons
for wishing to attend and a
breakdown of costs, should
be made to the Virus Group
Convener,ProfessorMalcolm
McCrae, Department of
Biological Sciences,University
KarucARoosAND Cor.rFERENcEs
RosslvlNacu
THr 9rH INrrRNRrroNRrSvrvrposrurvr
oN
Ylnsrs (ISY) was held in Sydneybetween25
and30 August1996,the first time the ISYhad
beenheld in Australia,and I had the pleasure
to attend.Run in conjunctionwith the 10th
International Biotechnology Symposium
(lBS), this made for a very interesting
meeting.A largeand prestigiousconference,
'Olympics'
it has been termed the
of yeast
researchconferences,being held only every
four years and ironically, in this Olympic
year,it washeld in the city which will host the
next sporting Olympics in the year 2000 Sydneyseemsto be holding a precedenthere.
The 1996 meeting was very successful
with around 350 delegatesfrom various
countries around the world and topics
covering all aspectsof yeast researchand
biotechnology.It was held in the Sydney
Convention Centre in Darling Harbour,
within easy reach of the famous Opera
Houseand Harbour Bridge.The conference
itself was divided into a programme of
plenaries,symposia, proffered papers and
postersessions
coveringactiveresearchin the
areasof ecology,biochemistry (metabolism,
transport and stress),growth, food feed
and beverageyeasts,wine yeasts,ethanol
production, taxonomy, gene expression,
geneticsand pathogenicyeasts.Being run in
conjunctionwith the 1OthIBS,the combined
attendanceat the two meetings must have
been around 1000 delegates.Some plenary
sessionsbrought us together discussingthe
subjects of biotechnology as a whole, but
the majority of sessionsand symposiawere
run concurrently, such was the wealth of
speakers.
The most relevant area to my own work
was that tf tn. stress responsein yeasts.
Various aspectsof the subjectwere covered,
including heat and osmotic stress.Professor
Ken Watson (Australia) gave an overview
of the transient nature of induced stress
toleranceand Dr PeterPiper (UK) spokeon
plasma membrane heat-shock proteins
and their role in the stress response.
Offered posters covered the involvement
of membranecomposition,trehalose,genetic
involvement,including fps1,OSRI and heatshock protein geneexpression,and our own
work on the inorganic ion aspect.Both
Dr Walker's presentationand my poster
were well receivedand for me the poster
sessionswere very interesting,giving me the
opportunity to discussand defend my work
with colleaguesfrom all over the world. I
enjoyedthe opportunity and was gratefulfor
the stimulating discussionswhich ensued.I
was pleased with the amount of interest
we generatedin this novel areaof work.
The topic of biodiversity was one of the
more important topics in the ecologysection
of the conference and attracted speakers
from severallaboratories.ProfessorHerman
Phaff (USA) gavean excellenttalk on the bio-
of Warwick, Coventry CY4
7AL, by 13 Iune 1997.
Preferencewill be given to
applicantswho are presenting
work at the meeting(seep. 75).
Student Members of the
Societyshould also note that
they are eligible to apply
for a grant from the
President's Fund to attend
this meeting.
diversity of yeasts and it was a joy to
listen to this grandfather of yeast research.
Dr Allen Hagler (Brazil) spoke on the
biodiversity found in Brazilian mangroves
and indicated the wider reality that we
really do not know how many strains of
micro-organisms we have yet to discover!
The genetic aspect of this researchwas
covered by Dr Leda Mendoqa-Hagler
(Brazil) and she discussedcharacterizingthe
communitiesdiscovered,an aspectof genetic
researchleading onto taxonomy. Dr Cletus
Kurtzman (USA) gave a plenary lecture on
the molecular taxonomy of yeastsand this
topic was expandedthrough two symposia
which included talks by Professor fack
Fell (USA), again on biodiversitS and
ProfessorAnn Vaughan-Martini (Italy) on
the taxonomic riddle of the genus
Saccharomyces,
which very well illustrated
the confusing nature of taxonomy over
the years. However, with the molecular
techniquesnow available,hopefully we have
a more simplified and truer definition of
this genus.
In the area of heterologous proteins,
severallabs haveworked on the use of yeasts
in recombinantinsulin production,etc.,and
of course it is important for this research
to continue, but one very interesting talk
wasgivenby Dr Ian Macreadie(Australia)on
the role of yeast in AIDS research.This
work, on the expressionand characterization
of HIV-I auxiliary genesin yeast,includes
the role of yeast in the production of
proteins and also as a model for predicting
the biological function of HIV-I proteins
in AIDS pathogenesis,an interesting way
forward for AIDS research.
Sydney seemsto have been neglectedas
a conferencevenue in the past, probably
due to its distancefrom Europe. However,
in this day and age with such ease of
international travel, why should it be
ignored?The wealth of researchin Australia
is not to be scorned either, being wideranging and of high calibre,and not only in
the fields of yeast research displayed
at this conference.
The SydneyConventionCentre,situatedin
Darling Harbour, is an excellentconference
setting. With the harbour-side complex
adjacent,with shopping, food courts, bars
and restaurants,it satisfiesall tastesfor those
free moments or a rushed lunch between
symposia.Within easyreachof the city centre
on foot or via the monorail, you can easily
wander through the shopping malls and
streetsof downtown Sydneyduring time off
from the conference. The Sydney Opera
House and Harbour Bridge are a mere ferry
ride away, either via a shuttle to Circular
Quay or on one of the many harbour cruises
which sail daily. They are certainly a sight
to behold whether viewed from the water or
on dry land, as you walk up to them or
climb to the lookout points. Around Sydney
there is much to see; the Blue Mountains
National Park, a mere day trip from the
city, is wooded with Blue Gum Eucalyptus
and this mountain range with its amazing
blue haze is a remarkablesight. Koalasand
kangarooscan be seenaround Sydney.A visit
to a wildlife park is a must for visitors who
have never seen these indigenous animals.
For those who appreciatea good wine, the
Hunter Valleywine region is alsowithin easy
reachof the city.
Sydneyis also the gatewayto a wonderful
country... there is much more to Australia
than Sydney. Australia is a vast country
which dwarfs Europe nany times over.
It contains a wealth of landscapesfrom
desertsto coral reef, island paradisesto the
magnificent Uluru (Ayres Rock) there is
much to experience, combined with a
fascinatinghistory, indigenousor otherwise.
Australia may be a young country, but it
is an interesting one, scientifically and
culturally.
I wish to thank the Societyfor awarding
me a grant from the President'sFund and
in doing so giving me the opportunity to
present my work at this prestigious
conference, to have the chance to see
beyond my own field to the extensive
research world which exists and hence
increasemy knowledgeand horizons within
my own research,and to visit an amazing
country.
RosslynM. Birch BSc (Hons) MSc,Schoolof
Molecular and Life Sciences,lJniversity of
Abertay Dundee, I<ydd Building Bell Street,
DundeeDDI lHG.
BRITISHCOUNCIL
'Bestof British Microbiology'
. ExcnLLtNToppoRTuNrry
with rapidly expanding
supplier of laboratory culture media.
. PRovrnpTECHNTcAL
suppoRTand developnew products
for commercialapplications.
. GnNumETNTEREsT
in microbiology essential.
Contact:DonnaHamilton,AvenueScotland(H.R.Specialists)
TeI.01383622233;Fax 01383623666
26AEastPort,DunfermlineKY127JB
New Settlementof the Spanish
TypeCultureCollection(CECT)
SINcr Ocrossn 1996the SpanishType Culture Cbllection (CECT)
has been located in the ResearchBuilding of the University of
Valenciain the University Campus of Burjasot.The CECT now has
two laboratoriesfor research,one room for washing and sterilizing
material and culture media, one room for freeze-dryingand sealing
ampoules,and one dark room. It also has one large controlledtemperaturestorageroom and two cold chambers.Finally, there is
an office room with computers,fax, telephoneand severalworking
placesfor CECT staff.All of this occupiesan areaof about 350 m2.
The CECT maintains cultures of micro-organisms (bacteria,
filamentous fungi and yeasts)of industrial importance, taxonomic
type strains, micro-organisms used for assays,testing, teaching,
biochemical and genetic researchand strains of general interest.
The collection is an International Depository Authority (IDA)
under the BudapestTieaty for patent purposes and also provides
an identification servicefor various kinds of bacteria,filamentous
fungi and yeasts.
The new addressof the CECT is as follows:
ColecciSnEspafrola
de CultivosTipo(CECT)
Universitatde Valencia
Edificiode Investigaci6n
Campusde Burjasot
45100 Burjasot(Valencia)
Spain
Tel.+34 6 3864612;
Fax+34 6 3983l87;Emailcect@uv.es
ONr or rHr Socrrry'soBJECTrvrs
is the promotion of the scienceof
microbiology.Weneed,from time to time, material demonstrating
high quality'British Microbiology' for promotional activitiesrun
by ourselvesand third parties. We intend to assemblea package
for use overseasnext'year which will show the strengths of
microbiology in the UK. This is intended to be very much a forwardlooking product, not a revel in past glory. The guidelinesare simply
that the work featuredshould be of international standing.
Pleasesend to Marlborough House (addressedto External Relations
Office and marked "UK Micro 98") areasof microbiology that you
think should be included in such a review. There is a clear danger
that such a review could offend those whose work is not covered,
which is why this invitation is being offered.To avoid being left out,
pleasemake sure we know about areasyou think are important.
Rover SocrcTYGRANTS
FoR
WITU CNNTRAL
IOINT PROIECTS
EasrnRNEURoPEANDTHE
FORMENSOVIET UNTON
As part of the RoyalSociety'spolicyof encouraging
scientific
link betweenthe UK and the countriesof Centraland Eastern
Europe(CEE)and the former SovietUnion (FSU),applications
are invitedfor grantsfor two year collaborativeresearchprojects
betweeninstitutionsin the UK and in eligiblecountriesin the
CEE and FSU,Grants are for the cost of visitsby researchersof
at leastpostdoctorallevelfrom the countriesinvolvedin each
project.Thenaturalsciences,
non-clinical
medicineand agriculture
are amongstthe subjectswhich will be consideredfor research
grants.Themaximumaward per annumis {3k for projects
with CEE and {4k for projectswith the FSU,to includetravel
expensesand subsistence,
plus {500 for consumables/equipment,
For full detailsand applicationforms contacl Mr R.Constantinescu,
International
Exchanges,The
RoyalSociety,
6 Carlton House
Terrace,LondonSWIY 5AG (Tel,017l 451 2563,
Emailezmb0| 5@mailbox.ulcc.ac.uk).
SGMAutumn Meeting 1997
The l38th Ordinary Meetingof the Societyincorporatingthe 2nd EuropeanVirology
Meeting,
will take placeat the University
of Sor-rlhampton
from MondayI September1997
to Friday5 September1997.
MAIN
SYMPOSIUM
( l-2 September)
S.OSMANI (Danville,USA)
What are checkpoints?
V. NORRIS (Rouen,France)
Controllingelementsin the cell cycleof Escherichiacoli and some
other bacteria
R. DEVORET (Orsay,France)
CHECKPOINTS
C. DORMAN (Dublin)
AND NON-LINEAR
A. GROSSMAN(Massachussets,
USA)
DEPENDENCY
D. SUMMERS (Cambridge)
RELATIONSH
IPS
l. WILLIAMS (London)
Timing of repair pathways in bacteria
Dependencyrelationshipsin Escherichiacolifimbriation
Checkpoints,
cell cycleeventsand sporulationin Bacillussubtilis
Plasmidsand checkpoints
SH2 signallingin a lower eukaryote:the masterswitch regulating
Dictyosteliumpatternforming functions via a STATprotein
K. GULL (Manchester)
Checkpointslinking nuclearand cytoplasmiceventsin the
trypanosomecell cycle
G. WAHL (SanDiego,USA)
Checkpointsin the mammalian cell cycle
T. ENOCH(Boston,USA)
Cell cycle checkpoint s in Schizosaccharomyces
K. HARDWICK (Edinburgh)
The spindleassemblycheckpointin buddingyeast
V. SIMANIS (Lausanne,Switzerland)
Checkpointcontrolswithin mitosisthat link the timing of
septumdepositionwith spindleintegrity in fissionyeast
T. WEINERT (Arizona, USA)
Lesionprocessingby checkpointgenesin Saccharomyces
cerevisiae
K. NASMYTH (Vienna,Austria)
Orderingthe duplicationand segregation
of chromosomes
in
eukaryoticcells
FLEMING LECTURE
TONY CARR (University of Sussex)
Education Environmental Microbiology
Microbial Infection and Physiology, Biochemistry
& MolecularGenetics
Cell cyclecontrol in Schizosaccharomyces
pombe
I September
. Microbiollnformotics:
Doto Acquisition,
Monogementond Exploitotlon(Symposium)
I September
. WosteTreotment
(Symposium)
3-4 September
. Polysocchorides
(Symposium)
For further informationabout Group Symposia,
see Newsfrom the Groups(pp.72-75),
O T H E RM E E T I N G S
Promega
Prize Meeting
(Postgroduotes)
KeynoteSpeaker:A.P.J.Trinci
(Universityof Manchester& SGM President)
Tobe followedby oYoungMembersReception.
2nd European Virology
Meeting:
Yirus-Host ,nteroctions
3-5 September
OFF E RE D P A P E R S
CBLRrsouncEsFoRTnecawc Ecotocv
Prc DrcEASE
lttponm,qrroNCa,rrnr
THr CTI CrNrRs poRBtot-ocv held a workshop on Computer-based
Resources
for TeachingEcology last year and have produced a
compilation of the relevant products. This is available in their
on-line resourcedirectory. Seeunder'publications' on the Centre's
web site (http://www.liv.ac.uk/ctibiol.html). Of particular interest
to microbiologists will be the work of the Digital Learning
Centre for Microbial Ecology at Michigan State University
(http://commtechlab.msu.edu/CTLProj
ects/dlc-me).
Tur PDIC Now HAsA wEBsrrEto provide direct information about
its servicesand on pig diseasesand pig breeding.It also includesa
database of pig health information resources. The URL is
(pleasenote that there is a hyphen':
http//www-pdic,vet,cam.ac.uk/
after'www' not a dot).
The snailmail addressof the PDIC is Dept of Clinical Veterinary
Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge
CB3 OES.
'Puq.GUEs,
ANDPpoprE'PpsrIrENcES
A SIupENT-cENTREDErpcrryp UNtr IN AN
Btorocv Counsn
UxopncRADUATp
foanna Verran and John Willcox
rp
here are many reasons for the increase in student-centred
I learning (SCL) in undergraduatecourses.The championsof
activeversuspassive/deepversussuperficiallearning are supported
by those who press for reduced staff-student contact, larger
classesand more student-centredactivity on financial, resourceor
managerialgrounds
Whatever the reasons)many microbiology courseshave introduced activities which satisfr both camps, and which fortunately
also engender some enthusiasm for and learning in the subject.
Group work, poster design, leaflet production, microbiological
whodunits, mini-projects (open-endedlab work) and so on, nurture
useful skills in addition to the acquisition and use of knowledge.
This article describes one example of distance/student-centred
learning.
At ManchesterMetropolitan University,electiveswere introduced
into undergraduateprovision in 1993194.They provide students
with the opportunity of broadening their studies. Subject to
timetable constraints,studentsmay take electiveunits offeredin any
department by the university.The range offered is greatestat the
lower stagesof courses.Electivesmay be compulsory, e'g. maths
and chemistry, to raise standards of students weak in those
subjects.Languagesare also offered but'home' units are the most
popular.
With an increasing emphasis on full-time equivalent (FTE)
students, numbers are credited to a given department, hence
influencing funding and future target numbers. It is therefore
'away' well as
as
desirableto offer electiveswhich are of interest to
'home' students. Thus, the more generally popular an elective,
the more students,and the more FTEs and funding to the home
department. Interdepartmental/faculty timetable differences may
hamper such interdisciplinary study, but an elective which is
Plaglj@sr
Pestilences
PeoPle
..a
,il:'il'Xffi:'"% \
Madim"X?itJln-'"I
r'^e" -
AlDs
in Africa
*{T:.ffjJ#I"
Germ
serms
to* sPace?
r,n r.r,rl-effii"';;
racts,
Pr"
For
lt"1T,
Pesttt iliT;:Tili"Hl:
Plagues,
drseaseoD
predominantly student-centred,with minimal contact time, is a
convenientalternative.
The BSc (Hons) Applied Biological Sciencesdegreeis run under
the University-wide Credit Accumulation Scheme (CATS). The
degreehas three levels (1-3). To complete a level, students must
accumulate 120 credits, by passing a number of units. Units are
usuallyrated at 10 or 20 credits,and each 10-creditunit requires100
hours of student effort. At level I of degreeprogrammes,20 credits
of the 120 creditstaken are electiveunits.
Thereweretwo considerationstaken into accountwhen designing
and People.
the lO-credit level I elective unit Plagues,Pestilences
Firstly, it should attract a wide range of students from various
departments,not merely those dedicatedto their degreesubject,in
this casebiology and biomedical sciences.SecondlS contact time
should be minimal, reducing pressureon staff timetables.
Electivesare advertised (Fig. l) and students sign up for their
choice of units. There is no upper limit for numbers on distance
learning electives.Other units offered in biology arc Drugs from
Plants (very popular!), Biology in the Media, Biology of Food
Supplements,Health and the Environment and FitnessHealth and
Lifestyle.
attracted48 studentsin its first year,56in its secondand
Plagues...
50 in the third (1996-97).The majority werebiologists,but chemists
and mathematicianswere alsopresent.Arts and humanitiesstudents
were not evident,but one hopesthis will change.
The unit programme (l l weeks)comprisesfour keynotelectures,
one from eachof the academicstaffinvolved in the unit: orientation;
epidemiology;pathogenesis,and control. The course is centred on
'Invisible
Enemies',a seriesof four 45 minute video programmeson
Origins of disease,Epidemics, Invisible armies and Will we ever
learn? Permission was obtained to use the videos for teaching
purposes.Copiesare availablefor studentsto borrow.
Students watch the programmes and write critical summaries
of each (one side per programme). One member of staff takes
responsibilityfor marking one programmes'critiques.
In addition, groups of students(3-4 per group) are assignedto a
member of staff. At a preliminary meeting each group of students
and their staff tutor pick a disease,and then individual students
work on a particular aspectof the disease(casestudy). This allows
individuals to investigatesociological,psychological,economical,
moral, geographical,historical, etc. aspects,rather than merely
concentrating on the more mundane microbiology (general
'away'
students are not
properties, diagnostic tests etc). Thus
disadvantaged,sincethey can developan angle appropriate to their
interests.
At the end of the courseeachgroup presentsa 5 minute overview
'their'
disease,and their chosen aspectsof interest to the class,
on
using one illustration. Each student also writes a 2,000 word case
study.
is a test.At the beginning of the unit, tutors
The final assessment
provide 200 questions/facts(50 per tutor) derived from lectures,
videos and general knowledge. These formative facts are used to
construct a summational MCQ test at the end of the programme.
Samplefactsand questionsare listed in Fig. 2.
comprises:
Thus, assessment
lt'ffi'xll-lffisffffi"',T**.
H*t"t*
o'.,.r,i,ii?Xl"'"ilfi?"
"".
Fig. l. An example of the way in which electivesare advertised.
Summaryof video programmes
MCQ
Individualcasestudy
Group presentation
Total
20
30
40
10
100
l. Definition of following terms:
Epidemic / Endemic / Pandemic / Incidence / Prevalence/
Prevention / Treatment / Subclinical infection / Nosocomial
infection.
2. Ability to explain an example for each term, from past or present.
3. In prehistoric times, why did the hunter-gatherer lifesryle ensure a
disease-freeexistence,in contrast to urban life? (Why does an epidemic
require a certain population size?)
4. What are virgin soil epidemics?Be able to describerwo examples.
5. What is herd immunity?
6. What is natural and artificial immunity?
7. What diseasesare UK children immunized againstand at what ages?
Name the causativeorganisms.
8. In times of the explorers,diseasespassedbetweenthem and the'new'
countries.
What disease(s)
did:
(i)
Columbusbring to North America
(ii)
Cook bring to Hawaii
(iii)
White slavetraders give to their African slaves
(iv)
Slavesgive to the traders.
9. \ryhy was it easierto conquer the Americasthan Africa?
l0.The Europeanshad to developantimicrobialagentsto combat
diseases
for which they had no natural immunity. Malaria and quinine
is givenas an example.What causesmalaria?Where doesquinine
comefrom? Is malariastill a problem?
erc.
2l.Virgin soil epidemicsare:
(a) when freshly dug soil is contaminated with spores
(b) when measlesarrives in the Virgin Islands
(c) when infected soil causesan epidemic
(d) the result of a non-immune population being exposedto a disease
(e) the result of an immunized population being erposed to a disease.
D..Herd immunity is:
(a) a population being immune to a disease
(b) achievedwhen animals are vaccinated
(c) the majority of a population being immune to a disease
(d) achievedwhen people get a disease
(e) when susceptiblesdo not catch a disease.
73.The dffirence betyveen
natural and artificial immunity is:
(a) one is in nature,one is in the lab
(b) one is by catchingthe disease,
one is by immunization
(c) one is a real organism,one is a lab strain
(d) one is by activeimmunization one is by passiveimmunization
(e) one is by a live vaccine,one is by a sirntheticvaccine.
24.We are in the middle of an HIV:
(a) outbreak
(b) endemic
(c) epidemic
(d) pandemic
Fig.2, Examplesof samplefacts and questionsfrom the P/ogues,
Pesti/ences
ond Peopleelective.
EVALUATION
Studentperformancesin the unit havebeengenerallygood in terms
of marks. For example,in 1994/95,marks for test, video review
and casestudy/presentation
averagedat l8/30, ll/20 and 30/50,
respectively(standard deviations of 5.5, 3.7 and 8.4 were each
for l7-l8o/o of the marks). The unit mean was 65yo (+16).
Some students became very excited and interested in their
discoveries:
others lessso. Some opted out of group preSentation
because
it was'only l0%ol Generallymarks were fairly high, since
self-motivationand diligence certainly help to ensure a good
performance.
The passrate (98o/o)hasbeenvery high, and therefore
markswere not discriminating.This was true for all of the distance
learningelectives.
Case studies were successfulin allowing a new breadth of
exploration.
Examplesof casestudiesinclude:
;'
II
l'l
AIDS: the virus, its history, impact in the work place and media
sensationalism.
Plague:
causativeagent,symptoms,history,Eyam (Derbyshire,l6th
century)
and India (20thcentury).
TSEs: scrapie,
BSE,CJD and transmission.
It is not easyfor tutors to cope with the minimal supervision
andrelianceon studentself-motivation(which was variable!).Case
study and group meetings need careful planning, especiallyif
participatingstudents are on widely differing courses.In short,
staff-student
communicationis not facilitatedon distancelearning
units!
The aims of the electivewere ably met, in that it was popular
and interesting.Hopefully, it engenderedan enthusiasm for
microbiologyat an early stage in the students'career.Certainly
heavilystudent-centredcoursessuch as this provide flexibility (of
time, audienceand content),and potential for use in other areas.
At ManchesterMetropolitanit is proposedthat similar electiveswill
be included for undergraduatesopting for a named route rather
than a biology degree.Thus a microbiology 'focus unit' will be
developed for new students, addressingissues fundamental to
their subjectof choice(e.g.microbesin the media,microbeson the
Net, importanceand diversity,getting to know the staff and their
interests,discussionwith secondand third year students,careers
in microbiology,etc.).other units in the degreeare more formally
taught and are broader (cell biology, biochemistry, ecology,
physiology,genetics)and not slanted towards micro-organisms.
It is therefore hoped that this new elective will engender in
studentsa senseof belongingto a group within a largeundergraduate
cohort, and with an appreciationof the impact of their subject
of choice on the world at large ... although the difficulties of
combining all these noble aspirationswith the practicalitiesof
minimal contacttime haveyet to be reconciled!
Plcosa scttd corrcspttttdance to Dr loanno verran, Depnrtntent of
lliologicnl sciclce-s, The Mnrrchestar Metropolitnn (Jniversity, John
[)nltott Brrilding, Chastcr Strcat,Mnnchester M I 5GD.
REFERENCES
l. VERRAN,J. (1984).Scientificlaboratoryreports:a surveyof
requirementsas perceivedby staff ar-rdstudent. Natl Assocstaff Dev ll,
8-lL
2. VERRAN,J.(1992).The useof video in transferableskillseducationfor
biology students.II. Productionof video of professionalquality.J Further
HigherEduc 16, 103-109.
3. VERRAN,J. ( 1993).Posrerdesign:by microbiologystudents.J Biol Educ
27.291-294.
SocietyNews
February
Council
Meeting
wEREDELIGHTED
Coulcn MEMBERS
to learn that ProfessorHoward
Dalton, FRS,of the Universityof Warwick had acceptedan invitation
to becomethe next Presidentof the Society.He will take up office in
Septemberat the Society Annual General Meeting. An outline of
ProfessorDalton'scareerand interestswill appearin the August issue
of the Quarterly.
THr AcrNpn PAPERS
for the
Society's1995 Annual General
Meeting included an item
describing how SGM has, since
1972. consistedof two distinct
legal entities, and reported
progress towards unification.
Since then, the Society,through
its legal advisers,has been in
discussion with the Charity
Commission.to achievethis aim
and updatethe Society'srulesand
regulationsto a form consistent
with the requirements of the
Charities Act 1993. Council
agreed that the Articles of
Association and Bye-Laws of
SGM as a company, with the
necessaryamendments, could
now be submittedto the Charity
Commission for their approval.
Once this is given and the
approved Articles are formally
adopted, all members of SGM
will then becomemembersof the
company and unification of the
two distinct legal entities will
havebeenachieved.
CouNcr- MEMBERS
coNTINUEto be concerned at the outcome of
RAE 96,which did not appearto givefull creditto microbiology,which
had beenassessed
asone of the constituentdisciplineswithin Biological
Sciencesrither than having a separatepanel. It was agreedthat a
and proposing
submissionto HEFCE outlining members'concerns,
would be preparedassoon aspossible.
remediesfor the next exercise,
Notices
MsNasrRsAGREED
that in these
times of constantchange,in the
needsof our members,the political and economic background
in the world at large and the
potential of the Society to
provideincreasinglysophisticated
services,we needto plan carefully
for the future. A working group
was thereforeestablishedwith a
remit to consider all potential
developmentsand identi$. new
initiativeswhich could be taken
on during the next five years,
consistent with the Society's
charitable status. The views of
any memberswho may wish to
make an input into this process
should be transmitted to the
General Secretarywho will be
pleasedto ensurethat they are
considered.
AtvtoNc MATTERS
FoR DISCUSSIoN
by the forward planning group,
it was agreed, following a
suggestion
by an electedmember
of Council, that the needs of
membersand potentialmembers
working in the field of clinical
bacteriologyshouldbe considered
with a view to the formation of
a Clinical Bacteriologygroup.
At the same time other areas
in which the Society might
develop new groups should be
considered.
CharlesPenn,GeneralSecretary
Colworth Prize Lecturer
Professor Gordon Stewort
EotNsuRcHis one of the two Scottishcities that shapedthe early
life of Gordon Stewart. From the age of 15, George Heriot's
Schoolprovided the education that led in 1970to the University
of St Andrews and after 4 years, that included the discovery
of his wife Lesley,a BSc in Biochemistry.A career that began
in the then Glaxo Group at Greenford under the tutelage of
Dr Margaret McOnie led in 1975 to a return to academiaand
the start of a love affair with the bacterial spore. In the lab of
Dr David Ellar at Cambridge, commencing in the old'protein
'sky
labl the biochemistry of spore
hut' but graduating to
germination and the characterization of the bacterial spore coat
constituted some 6 years of PhD and postdoctoral research,
punctuated only by just one more short sojourn into the
Greenford labs. In 1982, Fisons Pharmaceuticals of
Loughborough secondedGordon to the laboratory of Dr John Kuhn at the Technionin Haifa,Israel. His
discovery of and training in molecular microbiology began there, along with an introduction to
the wonders of bacterial bioluminescencethat has featured so much in his subsequent research.
A lectureshipat the University of Nottingham in 1985in Food Microbiology with ProfessorWill Waites
started his focus on applying the techniquesof genetic engineeringto problems of specific relevance
to industrial microbiology. It appears to have been a fertile field. With over 100 publications,
12 past and 15 current graduate students (many co-supervised reflecting several multidisciplitt"ry
collaborations), 10 postdoctoral research scientists and some very close colleagues,including
in particular ProfessorPaul Williams from the Department of PharmaceuticalSciencesat Nottingham
and ProfessorStephenDenyer from the Department of Pharmacy at Brighton, there is an interesting
story to tell.
Annual General
Meeting 1997
TUE ANNUaLGENEMLMeErrruc
of the Society will be held
on Tuesday 2 September 1997
at the Society Meeting at the
University of Southampton.
Agenda papers, including
reports from Officers and
Group Conveners, and the
Accounts of the Society for
1996will be circulatedwith the
August issueof the Quorterly.
News of
Members
The following members of the
Society have been elected
Ordinary Fellows of the Royal
Societyof Edinburgh:
Professor lan R. Booth,
Department of Molecular and
Cell Biology, University of
Aberdeen.
lomes C. Neil, Professor
of Virology and Molecular
Oncology and Head of the
MRC Retrovirus Laboratory,
VeterinarySchool,Universityof
Glasgow.
T Hugh Penningon, Professor
of Bacteriology,Department of
Medical Microbiology,Vice-Dean
(Research),Facultyof Medicine
& MedicalSciences,
Universityof
Aberdeen.
'''''''''''''''':'''
Prcfessor Michael l. Donson,
Centre
for
Extremophile
Research,Department of Biologr
& Biochemistry,Universiry of
Bath, has been promoted to a
PersonalChair in Biochemistry.
Prcfessor Howord F.lenkinson
has been appointed Professor
of Oral Microbiolo$/ at the
Universityof Bristol.
Professor Potricio A. Nuttolf
has been appointedas Director
of the Institute of Virology and
Environmental Microbiology,
Oxford.
On 19 March 1997the President
of the GoverningCouncil of the
University of Utrecht presented
Professor D.A.A. /Llossel B/lrl
MA PhD MD DYM(Hon)
FAPHA FIFST with the Silver
Medal of Merit of the University,
in recognition of l2tlz fears
serviceas the EijkmanProfessorEmeritus of Medical Food and
Water Microbiology.
The Society notes with regret
the deaths of Dr leon-Daniel
Piguet (member since 1964,
and Dr R.M. MacDonold
(membersince 1980).
SocietyNews
Grants bAwards
Fundfor
Developmentsin
Teaching1997
Tue Awnno PnNelmet in Januaryto consider the
applicationsreceived.The awards made for the
developmentof teachingaidsare listed below
Dr R. O. fenkins De Montfort Universiry Leicester.
Development of computer simulations of the
t1,000
dynamicsof microbialpopulations.
Micrcbiologico,l
News
Dr L.V. Thomas, University of Wales Cardiff.
To produce, in conjunction with the Biodiversity
Consortium, a multimedia coursewareunit entitled
'Bacterial
Diversity'.
L2,350
Dr l. Laybourn-Parry, University of Nottingham.
lnteractive computerpackagefor teachingmicrobial
L3,066
biodiversity.
In addition Dr M. Roberts, Department of
Veterinary Pathology, University of Glasgow,was
awardedf,1,500to make an overseasstudy tour to
Melbourne University Veterinary School, Australia
in August 1997.
Fund for Developments in
Teaching1998
A FURTHER
FUNDto provide grants in 1998 to support developmentslikely to
Cour.rcrlHASESTABLTsHED
l'eadto an improvementin the teachingof any aspectof microbiologyrelevantto secondaryor tertiary
(includingpostgraduate)education in the UK. lt is also willing to provide financialsupport for tours to
overseashigher educationinstitutionsto study methodsof teachinglargeclasses.
Fxamplesof projects which might be funded includethe provisionof teachingmaterials(e.g.videos,slides,
familiar
posters),the developmentof reliable,novel practicalexercises,new approachesto teaching/learning
concepts(e.g.computer simulationsor tutorials)or any other appropriateaspect.ltis not intendedthat the
Fundshouldsubsidizenormal departmentalteachingpractices;theSocietywishesto encourageinnovation.
Applicationsfrom membersare now invitedfor either categoryof award.Thefull rules of the schemeare
givenbelow.
'
Rules
1.Applicants must be members
of the Society, currently
residingin the UK or Republic
of Ireland.
2. Practical Teaching Aids
(a) Applicants may seek
support, normally within the
rangeL200-L3500,for:
(r) Purchase of consumable
materials, but not capital
equipment.
(ii) Short-term assistance,e.g.
vacation employment of an
undergraduate,or exceptionally
a postgraduateafter expiry of a
studentship.
(b) successful applicant: *.1
be notified in February to
facilitateforward planning for
theirproject.Theywillnormally
be requiredto make the results
of their work available to
Society members within 18
months of the award being
made. This will include a
presentation at a Society
meetingand publication of an
abstiactin the SGM Quarterly.
Physical materials, whether
off-prints, videos, slides,
computer programs, microbial
strains or in other forms,
should be readily available to
Society members on free or
low-cost loan or purchasefor a
period of at least 5 years after
termination of the project.
(c) The Societywouldencourage commercial or other
dissemination of the resultsof
the project to a wider public.
Intellectual Property
All
Rights, including copyright
and design rights, in any
materials produced as a result
of the grant will be vested in
the Society.
3. overseasstudy Tour
(a) Applicants
may seek
funding of no more than
LI,750 to undertake a short
study tour (of no more than 4
weeksduration) to learn about
microbiologyteachingmethods
in higher educationinstitutions
outsidethe UK, with particular
reference to the strategies of
coping with large classes.The
award will cover travel and
accommodationexpenses
only,
up to the prescribedlimit.
(b) Applicants must provide a
detailed itinerary of the
proposed tour, which it is
anticipated will take place in
1998, and enclose written
evidenceof their invitations to
the scheduledinstitutions.
(c) Successfulapplicants will
be notified in February to
facilitate travel arrangements
for the tour. A detailed report
of the visit must be presented
to the Societywithin 3 months
of return to the UK. The findings
of the tour will be disseminated
as soon as possible to Society
members,either by the presentation of a paper at a meeting
and/or the publication of an
article in the SGM Quarterly.
Application Forms
Application forms are available
from the Grants Office at SGM
HQ. Please state clearly
whether a form is required for
a teaching aid or a study tour.
The closing date for applications is 3l October 1997.
MrcnontotocrcAl
Po srAGE
STAMPCOLLECTION
Errmrurus PRorBssoRMalcolm
Woodbine (Friends Cottage,
40 London Road, Kegworth,
Detby DE74 2EU; Tel. 01509
672450),who has been retired
from
the University of
Nottingham for some years,
wishes to dispose of a collection of stampsthat he built up
between 1950 and 1980. The
stamps were assembledunder
the title A Philatelic History of
Microbiology and slides of the
collection were used in tall$
to promote microbiology to
schools. Anyone interested in
purchasing the stamps should
contact ProfessorWoodbine.
Punuc rrnrDERsThNDrNG
OF GENETICENGINTERING
IN FOOD SC/ENCE
EurR CeuptoN and Susan
Miles of the Institute oi Food
Research Reading Laboratory
are researching the public
understanding of the use of
genetic modification in food
production. The aim of the
project is to comparethe mental
models held by scientists,people
professionally concerned with
environmental matters and
members of the public regarding their understanding of the
scienceand its associatedrisks,
benefits and ethichl issues.They
are collecting people's views
and opinions on this topic and
wish to interview experts in the
biosciences,particularly those
with a professional interest
in biotechnology. The study
takes the form of an informal
interview, followed by a questionnaire. The entire procedure
takes about an hour and they
arewilling to travel to a respondent's workplace to carry out
the interview. Any member
wishing to take part in the
survey should contact Emer or
Susanfor further details.
Emer CampionTe\.01189357029;F;mail
F,mn Camp io n@BB SRC.ac"uk
SusanMilesTeI.0118935 7005;Email
Susan.Mile s@BB SRC.ac.uk
SocietyNews
INTERNATIONAL
DE\rELOPMENT
FUND
Cout tctt-AtMsto assistmicrobiologisain developingcountriesand
Eastern Europe through the International Development Fund.
Awards are made by competition.
Purpose
l. Support visits (travel and
accommodation)by members
of the SGM to laboratoriesin
countrieswhere microbiology
is inadequatelydevelopedbut
where its further development
may assist education or the
economy of these countries.
The purposeof the visitsmust
be to give short lecture courses
and laboratory training in
subjectsdesignedto meet the
needsof thesecountries.The
countries may vary from timeto-time but at present these
include many placesin the Far
East, Africa, South and
Central America, the Indian
sub-continent and Eastern
and Central Europe. Host
laboratories are usually
expected to provide some
evidenceof local support for
the courses.
2. Allow purchase of basic
equipment essentialfor the
needsof suchtraining courses.
3. Provide Society journals,
symposiaand specialpublications to establishedlibraries
for a limited period of time at
reducedor zero cost,especially
when it can be shown that
these publications are not
currently reasonablyavailable
in the country concerned.
4. Support national microbiological facilities,e.g.culture
collections (which underpin
microbiology), where these
run into temporary difficulties.
5. Support any other small
project to assistin technology
transfer from Western Europe
to the areasmentioned above
for which other sources of
funding do not exist. This
might include provision of
equipment to a nominated
centre at which a member is
working permanently.
applicationsabove f,7000 will
be accepted.
2. Applicants must be members
of the Society.
3. In making applications for
support for giving short
lecture coursesor laboratory
training, detailed information
must be provided about the
relevance and quality of
the training course and the
degree of local support for
the course.
4. Each application must be
accompaniedby full supporting documents.
5. A condition of funding (except
for provision of publications)
is that a brief report, suitable
for the SGM Quarterly, be
provided.
The WatanabeBook Fund
Members who are permanently resident in a developingcountry
are reminded that they may apply for funding to acquire for their
libraries book, or possiblyjournals,relatingto microbiology.These
annual awards are availableas a result of a genercus donation from
Professor T. Watanabe of Japan.Full details of the scheme were
pubfishedon p. l9 of the Februaryissueof the Quorterf.Theclosing
date for the receipt of applications,which should be made to the
Grants Office at SGM Headquarters,is 26 September 1997.
Sm,mun
SpnamsFIlr\TD
lW7ffi
The purposeof the Seminar SpeakersFund is to promote tallcson microbiologicaltopics in departmentalseminar programmes.Applications are
invitedfrom Higher EducationInstitutionswheremicrobiologyis taughtfor
grants of up to t200 towardsthe travel,and if necessary,
accommodation,
expensesof an invited speaker.Applicationswill be dealt with on a first
come,first servedbasis during the academicyear. Written submissions
shouldbesentto the GrantsOfficeat SGM Headquartersfor consideration.
The Rulesof theschemeare detailedbelow.
l. The schemeis open to Higher EducationInstitutions in the UK and
Republic of Ireland where microbiology is taught. Normally only one
department within an institution will be eligible for an award within
each academicyear, which is defined as running from September
1997to June 1998.It is expectedthat departmentswill collaboratein
selectinga seminarspeaker.
2. Applications will only be acceptedfrom departments,not from
StudentMicrobiology Societies.
3. Up to two speakersmay be funded eachyear,provided the total award
to the institution doesnot normally exceedf,200.
Applications
4. Seminarsmust be advertisedregionally as sponsoredby the Society.
5. Awards will be paid retrospectively on receipt of evidence of the
Applications to the Fund are
actual expensesincurred.
now invited. Four copies, 6. Applicationsshould containthe following information.
(a) The names and addressesof the speaker(s)to be invited and
including
full
supporting
documents, should be sent to
the topic of the talk(s).
(b) Evidence,in the form of a programme, that an active seminar
the International Secretary,
(Professor|.W. Almond, School
programme is alreadyestablishedin the department(s).Where
of Animal . and Microbial
no previous programme exists, good reason should be given
Sciences,University of Reading,
for the request,suchasthe establishmentof a new department.
(c) Details of any sponsorshipfor seminarsthat the department
PO Box 228, Whiteknights,
ReadingRG6 6AJ). The closing
alreadyhas (or is anticipating).
(d) An indication of the target audiencefor the seminar,which may
date for applications is 26
September1997.
includeundergraduates
and postgraduates.
SGM MEMBERSHIPSUBSCRIPTIONS1997
All members receivethe SGM Quarterly; in addition they may take any of the
Society'sjournals.
ORDINARYMEMBER
Membership Subscription (inc. SGM Quarterly)
IGV
itt'i'*oiiiii]'ii'iiiiiy'"tlt::::::: ::
Membership Subscription (inc. SGM Quarterly)
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(us$ss.00)
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Guidelines
l. Applications
for
sums
between t1000 and t5000
will be considered first. No
(us$so.oo)
SocietyNews
StaffNews
The SGM Web Site:
FromBerkshireto Louisionoand back in on hour
http://wwwsocgenmicrobiol.org.uk
Tsr SGM wEBsITEis attracting worldwide interest
and continues to develop and expand.One of the
pagesis an online form you can use to send us
requests,comments and other messages.
The first
responsewe got this way came from Shreveport,
Louisiana,just one hour after the site had gone
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of the summary) and tables of contents for
each issue of Journal of General Virology and,
Microbiology are available from lanuary 1997
onwards. This information appears close to
publication, weeks or months before other
alerting products appear, and is more plentifirl
8@rfild sd J.r
a i$$p-!!e!&@!!!
h!(R!.dd
Thow,
ffirir'n'-rr:;rr-a'l
{
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for
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YeLl!|1(:)
wiquli!
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Society
than other publishers offer for free. In addition
eachmonth anyoneinterestedcan obtain a couple
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What's Nextl
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Now the site is out there, it can only get bigger
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Growth areaswill include more details of forthcoming meetings,information about studentgrants
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What else
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feedback we can
make this an even
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Duncan McGarva,
SGM Marlborough
House
Tse coNrRrBUTroNs
to
the March 1997symposium
on MoleculorAspectsof HostPathogenrnteroctionsare
availableasVolume55
in the series.A review of
the book appearson p.76
of this issueof the Quorterly.
The book can be ordered
by post usingthe grey form
in this issueof the Quarterly.
This form can also be used
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that you missedat the time
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As usual,there is a 60 %
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purchaseSymposiumVolumes
at the discountrate should
write to the Grants Office
at SGM Headquarters,
MarlboroughHouse for
a specialorder form.
Wrrcoup ro SuseN WssrcATp
who has joined the Societyas a
Staff Editor on IGV. Susancomes
to us from ISIS, which publishes
scientific abstract journals, and
so she already has substantial
editing experience. Staying in
the IGV editorial office, we
offer warmest congratulations
to Audrey Winterbottom on the
birth of a son, James Clifford
on 20 fanuary, a brother for
Iessica.Mum and ba\ are both
doing well and have already
toured SGM headquarters.
Audrey will be returning to the
fray after a period of maternity
leave.
CoNcnerur-qnoNsArso to Rebecca
Jones on her appointment as
Administrator in the Institute of
Neuroscienceat the University of
Manchester. Rebecca,who has
worked in the External Relations
and GrantsOfficesince1991,will
be well known to most Student
Members of SGM for her patient
help with their applications for
PostgraduateConferenceGrants
and President's Fund awards.
She will also be sorely missed
at careers fairs and other
events for the public where she
has promoted microbiology on
behalf of the Society with great
enthusiasm. Recently Rebecca
obtained the CAM Certificate
in Communication Studies,
covering marketing, public
relations and advertising - skills
she will also be able to use in
her new post. Rebeccaleft at
Easter,after a final stint for SGM
at the Edinburgh ScienceFestival,
and we wish her every successin
her new iob.
"MrcRoBroLoGyLoors BprrERANDBnrrnn
WrrH EvpnvIssuE"
Robert K. Poole
T. h. title of this piecewas containedin an unsolicitedletter from
I a colleague in the USA, received the day before I sat down to
write this look at the past few months of Microbiology. I cannot
believe that the writer was referring only to the looks of the journal
with its striking and varied cover pictures, colour-coded coversand
the fanry graphics (but what is that gun sight in Miuobiology aimed
at?).Sureenough,my correspondentgoeson to praise"another one
of those journals where I scan every issue".The journal has been
revolutionizedby a larger and far more international Editorial Board
and by Editors from as far awayas Paris and Nova Scotia. Citation
ratings,submissionsand compliments are all increasing.
A look at the last six months of 1996explains why. Short (but not
micro) review articles are always valuable and the breadth of
Microbiology was evident in their subjects,ranging from the biology
of colicins, a hypothetical enryme involved in murein growth,
biocontrol of Trichoderma, to microbial utilization of human
signallingmolecules.
This period also saw the publication of a landmark special issue
(November) containing 17 papers describing progress on the
European Bacillus subtilis Genome SequencingProject. Genes to
interest all of us are revealed, including those involved in purine
uptake and metabolism, sporulation, fermentative metabolism,
stress responses,thioredoxin and genesin the skin element, which
is excised during sporulation by a site-specific recombinase.
Special issues are not always welcomed if they focus exclusively
on something terribly interestingbut of no interestto me (or you).
But the November issue also contained another 20 papers in more
traditional subject areas,including a review.
On the subjectof paper categories,1996sawthe launch of a new
'Bioenergetics
and Tiansport'. This attracted 19 papers,
categorycovering aspects of solute transport, orygen-binding proteins,
electron transfer and other membrane phenomena. Other areas
where papers would be most welcome are microbial ATPases,
studies of organelles,motility and the biogenesisand evolution of
bioenergetic systems.Of course, bioenergeticsis not a new area
at all, but one in which microbiologists have made distinguished
contributions over many decades (see Microbiology Comment,
September 1995, l4l, 2021). How appropriate it is that there
should be such a sectionin a journal devotedto the organismsthat
have yielded to us the three-dimensional structures of refractory
membrane protein complexes such as the photosynthetic reaction
centre and cytochrome oxidase!
It is difficult (and potentially dangerous)to pick'favourite'papers
for special comment from the riches on offer in 1996. It is safer to
illustrate the diversity and quality of a few. In fuly 1996,the group of
Andrew Glenn and Mike Dilworth (Murdoch University, Western
Australia) reported a regulatory system in Rhizobium meliloti
involved in acid tolerance.About a quarter of the earth'sagricultural
soils are acidic. Such acidity affects the growth of soil bacteria,
facilitates metal leaching (particularly aluminium) from soils, and
has catastrophic effectson plant growth. Why are some soil bacteria
acid-resistant?Tiwari et al. (142,1693-1704) describea transposon
mutant of R. meliloti that fails to grow below pH 6.0. The Tn5
appears to have hopped into a region having two genes,actS and
actR, with striking similarity to the sensor-regulator pairs of twocomponent systems involved in signal transduction pathways in
many prokaryotes. This work opens the way to identification of the
genesregulatedby this two-component systemand their role in acid
tolerance.
Two papers considerably advanced our understanding of nisin
biology. Nisin is a lantibiotic produced by Lactococcuslactis and its ,"
effectivenessagainst a wide range of Gram-positive bacteria has
led to its use as a natural preservativeof food products. In |anuary
1996, Dodd et al. (142, 47-55) described a lactococcalexpression
system which allows the production of novel nisins encoded by
pre-nisin (nisA) genes.A copy of the nisA gene is incorporated
into a nisA-deficient nisin operon; variant genescan be substituted
for the chromosomal wild-type gene. In this approach, only
the product of the variant nisA gene is subject to the subsequent
processing specified by other Nis proteins. In September, Dodd
et al. (142,2385-2392) describedanother aspectofthe nis operon,
namely its autoregulation by external, mature nisin molecules. The
nisR gene encodesthe putative responseregulator of (another) twocomponent regulatory system and nisK encodes the membrane'sensor'
located
that detects the stimulus. Dodd et al. analyseda
number of enzymically generated nisin fragments and engineered
nisin variants to determine the structural requirements of the
inducer and found that specific parts of the nisin molecule are
required for induction of biosynthesisand immunity. This approach
provides a powgrfrrl method for analysing in detail the molecular
interactions between the inducer - nisin - and the membrane
sensor,which are not readily accessedin the caseof smaller inducers,
such as oxFgen and nitrate, for example, in other systems. The
work also has important implications for developing lactococcal
production systems utilizing inducers that lack biological, i.e.
antimicrobial, activity.
Of course, 1997 is the Golden Jubilee of Microbiology and, in its
previous guise,Journal of GeneralMicrobiology. The year has got off
to a cracking start. The Comment section .of fanuary's issue
announcedthat "complete sequencefigures are out" (143, l), whilst
Wainwright et aL (143, 1-3) claim that the mysteriousphenomenon
of mitogenic radiation is "in" (again). Wainwright and his co-authors
survey evidence that living cells emit low-intensitf W light that
stimulates the growth and metabolism of nearby organisms, then
proceedto report new positive evidencefor the effect.Which of these
Comment articles will generatethe more correspondencein future
issues is anybodyt guess, but Comment is.a relatively new and
welcome addition to the types of material published in Microbiology,
giving an opportunity to present personal opinions, news and
comments on recent papers.
The February issue was a Candida Special Issue, recognizing
the burgeoning interest in, and clinical importance oi this human
pathogenic fungus. Again, the special issue status has not precluded
papers of general interest. Gas vesicles,metabolic engineering, new
insertion sequences,pyrroloquinoline quinone biosynthesis genes
and Mycoplasma antigens illustrate the breadth of coverage.
Interestingly, in this sample, papers from continental Europe
are most numerous with the UK and USA neck and neck ahead
of Australia and fapan. This is a very healthy sign of the journal's
ever-increasingprestige and international impact.
This issue reminds us all that microbiology and Microbiology are
more than bacteria.Perhapsa few other reminders are in order: there
are no page chargesand journal salesare largely responsible for the
Society's income and consequent generous support of younger
microbiologists. Now back to writing (and editing) another paper.....
ProfessorRobert K Poole (Editor), Krebs Institute for Biomolecular
Research, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology,
The University of Shffield, Firth Court, Western Banh Shffield
510 2TN, South Yorlcshire,UK [Fax 0114 272 8697 (Dept); Tel. 0114
222 4447 (office)6 2834 (Iaboratory)l e-mail: r.poole@sheffield.ac.uk
IGV CouuENr
Iim Neil
h. new layout of IGV has been with us for some months now.
issuesof JGV is the study of endogenousretroviruses.The spectre
T.
I Canvassingof opinion shows that this latest update of the
of activation of endogenous viruses in xenotransplants highlights
journal's appearance has been well received, although inevitably
the need to characterize and understand the life rycles of these
approval has not been universal. My view is that a new package
agents. However, the co-evolution of these elements with their
will do little to sell the journal if the scientific content is not up
host blurs the distinction between virus and host DNA. The
to scratch,but that we must move with other journals in adopting
demonstration that an exogenous retrovirus plays a role in lung
more interesting and attractive layouts. The 'little red book' of
tumours of sheep proved difEcult due to the presenceof closely
yearspast now looks rather dowdy by comparison.
related proviruses in healthy sheep DNA, but careful probing
Turning to the scientific content of the journal, I note that
for distinctive features is now paying off (Palmarini et al., 77,
recent volumes of JGV have included a very healthy stream of
299I- 2998). The biological significance of most endogenous
topical review articles. I am sure that these reviews will be widely
retroviral families remains to be established, although the
read and quoted by those in the respective fields, an important
search for pathogenic or symbiotic roles continues. The subtle
consideration in view of the all-pervasive impact factor which
regulation of expression of endogenous retrovirus is illustrated
now plagues most of our academic and editorial lives. Recent
in recerit papers on demethylating agents which activate
offerings by virus family have included the hantaviruses (Plyusnin
HERV-K in human teratocarcinoma cells (Gotzinger et al.,
et a1.,77, 2677-2687),the enteroviruses(Hyypiii et a1.,78, 1-11)
77, 2983-2990) and the down-regulation of IAP genes in
and the caliciviruses(Clarke & Lambden,78,29l-301). The human
melanoma cells transfected with MHC class I (Li et a1.,77,
health implications of these virus groups have come to the fore in
27s7-276s).
recent years and these up-to-date and systematic reviews will
These highlights serve to illustrate the broad range of interests
make a very worthwhile contribution to the literature. In other
servedby the journal, even in one virus subdomain, and the need
issues I would draw readers' attention to two excellent topical
for Editors to maintain a large network of referees. My thanks
reviewson HIV one on the nef geneproduct(Harris, 77,2379-2392)
go to all those who assist us in maintaining the journal's high
and the other on HIV variation, basedon the 1995Fleming Lecture
standards and returning their reviews in a timely fashion. The
(McKeating, 77, 2905-2919). Last but not least is a review of
defaulterswill remain anonvmous.
variant CJD and its relationship to BSE, a subject which will
command wide interest in the virology community and beyond
(Ridley & Baker,77,2895-2904).
To return to the staple diet of original research papers, my
ProfessorI.C. Neil (Editor), Department of Veterinary Pathology,
selection of highlights is drawn (not surprisingly) from the
University of GlasgowVeterinary School,GarscubeEstate,Bearsden,
retrovirologycontributions. The retrovirologist will find something
GlasgowG61 lQH.
of interestin all fGV issues,although the proportion of such papers
does vary month to month. Quite a few recent papers
focuson interesting aspectsof virus-host interactions and
the roles of specific and non-specific immune mechanisms
SOUTHERN OFFICE
in containing or preventing infection. For example,
apoptosisof virus-infected cells has been mooted as a
natural resistance mechanism. However, there is growing
evidencethat persistentoncogenicvirusessuch as BLV may
be able to inhibit this process(Schwartz-Cornil et a1.,78,
153-L62),while the accelerateddeath of T-cells may be a
factorin the depletion of the immune systemin lentivirus
infection (Dittmer et a1.,77, 2433-2a36). The molecular
details of viral interference with apoptotic pathways is
Lookingfor o job or o chongeof job?
obviously an area which is ripe for more study. Recent
Whoteveryour levelof quoliftcotion
months have seen an explosion of information on
or
experiencewe hoveo wide ronge
chemokinereceptors as co-receptors for HIV entry and
of both tempororyond permonent
cell fusion, and great interest in the role of ligands for
thesereceptors as natural antagonists of viral infection.
NORTHERN OFF'CE
positionsthroughoutthe UK.
Recentvolumes of JGV show that the scope is likely
to be even wider. For example, CD8 cells from HIVRegistrotion is eosy.'
infected individuals appear to produce inhibitory factors
FirstcollyourneorestLob StoffLtd
distinct from the known chemokines (Barker et al.,
77, 2953-2962), while FIV can be inhibited at a late
officeor sendthemyour C.V.ond o
stage in replication by antibodies to a distinct cell
list of your loborotoryskillsond
surfacereceptor (CD9) whose natural ligand is currently
SCOTTAND OFFICE
experience
unknown(Willett et a1.,78,611-618).It is alsoconceivable
that non-specific immune mechanisms contribute to the
vaccine protection conferred by attenuated strains of
simian immunodeficiency virus (Stahl-Hennig et a1.,77,
2969-298r).
. Another field which is well represented in recent
fililfrercbfrofiogy
Scfremtfrsts
&
Technfrcrtqm$
am
Cells & Cell Surfaces
Southampton, l-5 September 1997
The Group is the sponsor of the Main Symposium on Checkpoints
and Non-Linear DependenryRelationships,further details of which
can be found on p. 63 of this issue.
Bradford, 5-8 January I 998
fointly with the Microbial Infection Group, we will be holding a oneand-a-half-day symposium on Pathogenicityand Chemotherapyof
Anaerobe Infections. The symposium is being organized by Ian
Poxton, Mike Wilson and Laura Piddock. Three scientific sessions,
on Bacteroides,Clostridia and oral microbiology, are being planned.
There will be plenty of opportunities for both offered papers and
posters.Full details of speakerswill be available in the next issue of
the Quarterly.
Convener:
Dr Alan E,Wheals
Schoolof Biology& Biochemistry
SouthButldtng
Universityof Both
Both BA2 7AY
TeL0 | 225 826826 ext.4278
F o x0 1 2 2 58 2 6 7 7 q
Emoiibsscew@hoth.oc.uk
Future Meetings
The Group has a number of symposia under discussionincluding
Microbial-Host Interactions at Mucosal Surfaces, Membrane
Tiansporters and Antimicrobial Resistance,Intracellular Pathogens
Comments
and Programmed Cell Death, Autolysis and Senescence.
and suggestionsfrom members are alwayswelcome.
ClinicalVirology
Royal Society of Medicine,4-6 January | 998
In )anuary the Group held a joint meeting with the European Group
for Rapid Viral Diagnosis at the Royal Society of Medicine. This was
highly acclaimed and it has therefore been decided to repeat.the
arrangement, at the same venue. The 1998 meeting will include a
symposium and round table discussion on Viral Cross-infectionin
Clinical Care.
Convener:
D r P h i l i pP M o r t i m e r
PHLSVirusReference
Dlvlsion
CentrolPublicHealth Loborotory
Avenue
6l Colindole
LondonNW? 5HI
Tel.0l B l 200 4400
Fox0lBl 200 1569
Future Meetings
Plans are being laid for a joint meeting in fanuary 1999 with the
Microbial Infection and S&E Groups on RespiratoryPathogens.
Following the Spring meeting of the Clinical Virolggy Group at
Heriot-Watt University this March, the Group is due to hold a
symposium on Virus Infectionsof the NervousSystemin Spring 1998
at the University of Nottingham. DrWill Irving has kindly offeredto
organize this.
Education
Southampton, l-5 September 1997
The Group symposium at this meeting is Microbiallnformatics: Data
Acquisition, Managementand Exploitation and is organized by Peter
Miller (Liverpool). The speakersand titles are as follows: Lynne
Boddy (Cardiff) & Colin Morris (Glamorgan), Neural networks and
microbial identification; Trevor Bryant (Southampton), The impact
of IT on microbial taxonomy; Tomas Flores (EBI, Hinxton),
Sequencedafabases:present and future; Iim Prosser (Aberdeen),
Modelling of microbial interactions; Pedro Mendes (Aberystwyth),
Modelling microbial metabolism with Gepasi, a user-friendly
simulator; Peter Miller (Liverpool), Web-based learning environments for microbial informatics; Duncan McGarva (SGM) & Dave
Roberts (Natural History Museum), Publishing Microbiology in the
electronicera.
Nottingham,30 March-3 April 1998
The symposium at this meeting will be Sandwich Training in
Microbiologyand will be organizedby PeterWyn-Jones(Sunderland).
This will present the whole picture of work-based learning in
microbiology from the perspectivesof the student, employers and
university supervisors. This will be an opportunity for all those
involved in sandwich training to meet and exchangeideas and to
discusscommon issuesin this important areaof education.
EastAnglia, 8-l 0 September | 998
Alan Jacob (Manchester) is organizing a symposium on Teaching
Microbial and Molecular Geneticswhich it is hoped will be a joint
meeting with the Genetical Society.
The Convener would like to thank Peter Wyn-|ones and Mike Tait
for taking over some of her responsibilities as she gets used to her
new family commitments. The Committee would like to thank Mike
Thit and Peter Miller, who are retiring this year, for their hard
work on the committee, especiallyin the area of new technologies
in education.
Convener:
Dr JanetC. Bunker
Schoolof Heolth & Sociol
Welfore
Open University
WoltonHoll
Milton KeynesMK7 6AA
T e |0 1 9 0 8 6 5 5 8 q| 1 6 5 4 2 2 9
Fox0l90B654l24
Emotlj.c,bu nker@open.oc,uk
Environmental
Microbiology
Southampton, l-5 September 1997
The Group will be holding a one-day meeting on WasteTreatment
organizedby Keith Jones,LancasterUniversity. If you wish to present
an offeredpaper or poster,pleasesendthe title of the presentationto
Keith Ionesbefore 3l May 1997 (K.Jones@lancaster.ac.uk).
Nottingham, 30 March-3 April 1998
The Group will be holding a two-day meeting on the Ecophysiology
of Microbial Pigments(with an emphasison protection). The topic
headings are Photosynthetic processes,UV protection and
Community ecophysiologyunder light regimes.It is anticipatedthat
presentations will include; Prokaryotic photosynthesis, Phototaxis,
Bacterial and cyanobacterialW pigments, and UV resistanceof
microbes. The Group organizer is David Wynn-Williams (British
Antarctic Survey)from whom further information may be obtained
in the first instance(ddww@pcmail.nerc-bas.ac.uk).
Convener:
f-\- L-r:r^-,,
M
| ^^^:^
Irtdtf
I t , L o , v P | t - scott
ut
Deportmentof BiologicolSciences
ExeterUniversity
Hotherly Loborotories
PrinceofWoles Rood
ExeterEX4 4Ps
T e |0 l 3 9 2 2 6 3 2 6 3
Fox0l3?2263700
Emoil
H.M.Loppin-Scott@exet
er.oc.uk
Future Meetings
A further meeting is also being planned for September1998,when
the topic will be Biosensorsand Indicator Organisms.There will be an
opportunity to presentpapers;postgraduatestudentsare particularly
encouraged.If interestedpleasecontact the organizer Mark Bailey
(mbj@pcmail.nerc-oxford.ac.uk).Additional meetings are also
planned to cover the topics of Detection of Bacteria in Natural
Environments and Survival of Pathogensin the Natural Environment.
The Committee would also welcome suggestionsfor future meetings.
There is also a vacancyon the EMG Committee: any volunteersor
nomineesfor this position should be made known to the Convener.
Fermentation &
Bioprocessing
Bradford, 6-8 January 1998
In collaboration with the S&E Group we will be holding a two-day
symposium on Screeningfor New TherapeuticAgents.The Group's
organizers are Mike Bushell, Craig Gershater and Dave Langley.
The symposium will seek to addresscurrent approachesto natural
product screeningfor novel biopharmaceuticaldiscovery.The invited
papersare as follows: S.f.Brewer (USA), Scientificprinciples underpinning the screeningapproach;R.C.Durley (Monsanto,USA), Screen
managementapproaches- optimizing throughput; H. Gurtler (Novo
Nordisk, Denmark), Screenmanagementapproaches- optimizing
samplediversily; J. Johal (Xenova,UK),Innovations in screentargets;
A. Buss (Glaxo Wellcome, UK), Alternative approachesto natural
productsscreening;M. Embley(NHM, UK),Innovations in microbial
prospecting;N. Magan (Cranfield, UK), Environmental influences
on secondarymetaboliteproduction; K.Wilson (Merck, USA), Screening for antimicrobials - strategyand results;D. Hawksworth (IMI,
UK), Where are all the undiscoveredfungi?;P.Stead(Glaxo Wellcome,
UK), Efficient approaches to natural productJead discovery and
optimization: biotrarisformation screening and focussed library
synthesis; K. Horikoshi (Tokyo, fapan), title awaited; Jean ]acques
Sanglier (Novartin, Switzerland), title awaited; M. Legg (Zeneca),
Opportunities for microbial natural products in the agrochemical
industry. If you are interestedin offering a short paper (postgraduate
studentsare particularly encouraged),pleasecontact the Convener
assoon aspossible,but before the end of August 1997.Abstractswill
be required by 30 Septemberl997.We are also hoping to hold an
eveningt debating sessionon Natural ProductsyersusCombinatorial
Chemistry.More detailswill appearin the August issueof the Quartuly.
Nottingham, 30 March-3 April 1988
The Group is planning a two-day meeting entitled Towardsthe Ideal
Escherichiacoli ExpressionSystem:Meeting the Needsof Fermentation
and Downstream Processing.The meeting is being organized by Bo
Kara on behalf of the Group. There will be an opportunity to present
short papers and if you are interestedpleasecontact the Convener.
East Anglia, 8-10 September | 998
We are planning a one-day meeting on Mycelial Fermentations
organized by Dave Langley on behalf of the Group. There will be an
opportunity to present short papers and if you are interested please
contact the Convener.
Future Meetings
The Committee would welcome suggestionsfrom any SGM member
for topics of symposia within the area of fermentation and bioprocessing.Pleasecontactthe Conveneror any Committee member.
Convener:
Dr Reg R. England
Deportmentof AppliedBiology
Universityof CentrolLoncoshire
Corporotion
Street
PrestonPRI 2HE
T e l0 1 7 7 2 8 9 3 5 1
3
F o x0 1 7 7 28 9 2 9 2 9
Emoil r.englond@uclon.oc.uk
lrish Branch
Dubfin, l8-19 September 1997
The Autumn symposium on Micro-organisms:the Answer to
EnvironmentalPollutioni will be held in University CollegeDublin.
Topics will include PCB and PCP degradation, control of metal
pollution, remediation of PAH-contaminated soil, and the use of
white- rot fungi and composting for remediation. Invited speakers
include, C. Knowles (Kent), Microbial degradation of cyanides;
G. Gadd (Dundee),Microbial treatmentof toxic metal and radionuclide pollution - chemical and physiological mechanisms
underlying processdevelopmentfor contaminatedsoils and waters;
A. Dobson (Cork),Applicationof white-rot fungi in biodegradation;
K. |orgensen(Finland),Application of compostingtechniquesfor
the remediation of contaminated soils; A. Thomas (Turin),
Bioremediationstrategiesfor PAH-contaminatedsoils and groundwaters; and E. Doyle (Dublin), Microbial degradation of
pentachlorophenol. The local organizer is Dr Evelyn Doyle,
Department of Industrial Microbiology, University CollegeDublin,
Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland (Tel. +353 I 7061300;Fax +353 I
7061183; Email emdoyle@ollamh.ucd.ie).
Convener:
Dr lYartinA. Collins
Deponmentof FoodSoence
Agrrculture
ond FoodScience
Centre
TheQueens Untverstty
of Belfost
NewforgeLone
Be/fostBT9 sPX
T e l0 l 2 3 2 2 5 5 3 1 4
Fox01232668376
tr^-;l
^ -^tl;^-Gi\-, ,k
L t t t u u 1 rl . L u l r l i J \ y q u u , ( l C . U k
Dublin City University,January 1998
The winter meeting on Microbesas VaccineDelivery Vehicleswill be
held in Dublin City University.The local organizer is Dr Michael
O'Connell, School of Biological Sciences,Dublin City University,
Glasnevin,Dublin 9 (Tel.+353 | 7045000;Fax +353 | 70454L2).
Microbial Infection
Southampton, l-5 September 1997
A two-day symposium will be held jointly with the PB&MG Group
on Microbial Polysaccharides.
The MI Group organizeris Dr Duncan
Maskell (Imperial College, London). The speakerswill include
A. Dell (Imperial College),C. Raetz(Duke), C. Whitfield (Guelph),
V. Koronakis/C.Hughes(Cambridge),E.Vimr (lllinois),E.R.Moxon
(Oxford), J. Guard-Petter (USDA, Georgia), S. Kroll (lmperial
College)and M. Frosch(Wtirzburg). Therewill be an opportunity to
present offered papers. The organizers are particularly keen to
receivesubmissionsfrom postgraduatesand new postdocs.Those
interested should send titles and abstracts to the symposium
organizerby 23 May 1997.
Convener:
ProfessorPeterAndrew
Deponmentof Mtcrobiology
ond
lmmunology
I lnrtpr<il rt nf I c'rra<l or
MedtcolSclences
Butldtng
PO Box | 38
UntversityRood
Lelcesrer
LEI ?HN
T e l0. l I 6 2 5 2 2 9 4|
Fax01162525030
Emoilpwo@le.oc.uk
Bradford, 6-8 January | 998
A one-and-a-half-daymeeting on Pathogenicityand Chemotherapy
of AnaerobeInfectionsis being jointly organized with the C&CS
Group. Our organizeris Ian Poxton (University of Edinburgh). It is
planned that this symposium will be complementary to the
AnaerobeSocietymeeting to be held earlier in the year.There will
be an opportunity to present offered papers. Those interested
should contact Ian Poxton, to whom titles and abstractsshould be
sent by 22 September1997.
Nottingham,30 March-3 April 1998
A two-day symposium on lron and Infection is being organizedby
PaulWilliams (Nottingham) and Julian Ketley (Leicester).
Future Meetings
Planning of a meeting on RespiratoryPathogensin |anuary 1999 is
under way. This meeting will be held jointly with the S&E and
Clinical Virology Groups. The Microbial Infection Group organizer
is Tim Mitchell (University of Glasgow).Pleasecontact him if you
haveany suggestions.Ideasfor topics for future meetingsare always
welcome.Pleasecontact the Conveneror any Committee member.
Physiology,
Biochemistry &
Molecular Genetics
Southampton, l-5 September 1997
The Group will hold a joint symposium on Polysaccharides
with the
Microbial Infection Group. The Group's co-organizeris Dr Colin
Hughes (Cambridge). Speakersand topics will include: A. Dell
(Imperial College),Introduction to polysaccharidesand structural
determinations;C. Raetz(Duke), Biosynthesisand role in infection
of lipid A; C. Whitfield (Guelph), Biosynthesisof O-antigen;
V. Koronakis/C.Hughes (Cambridge),Action of RfaH/ops,a global
regulator required for polysaccharidesynthesis;E. Vimr (Illinois),
Thermoregulationof capsularpolysialicacid synthesisin E. coli Kl;
R. Moxon (Oxford), Roleof LPSin infectionsby non-entericbacteria;
J. Guard-Petter (USDA, Georgia), Polysaccharidesand surface
variation of Salmonellaenteritidls;S. Kroll (Imperial College),Role
of capsular polysaccharidesin bacterial infections; M. Frosch
(Wtirzburg), Variable expressionof capsule and LPS and role in
infection. The invited papers will be interspersed with offered
Convener:
Professor
SimonBaumberg
f)ahnrtmanf
nf A ', n-l 'a-o t Y
Untversity
of Leeds
LeedsLS29JT
T e t0 t l 3 2 3 3 3 0 8 0
F o x0 l l 3 2 4 4 I 1 7 5
Emorlgen6sb@south-0
l .novell.
/eeds.oc.uk
contributions. The organizers particularly wish to receive
submissions from postgraduates and recent postdocs. Those
interested should send titles and abstractsto one of the symposium
organizers, Dr Duncan Maskell (Imperial College) or Dr Colin
Hughes (Dept of Pathology,Cambridge) by 23 May 1997.
Bradford, 6-8 January | 998
The Group plans to hold a symposium on Post-transcription
Initiation Controls of GeneExpression.The organizer will be Simon
Baumberg(Leeds).
Future Meetings
The Group Committee would be glad to hear from any SGM member
with interests in the areasof its remit, of topics for symposia,workshops, etc., especially where these have not recently been covered
(and do not appear to be about to be in the near future). Please
contact the Convener or any member of the Group Committee.
Systematics&
Evolution
Bradford, 6-8 January | 998
iTopical
Special
The Group will be hosting a one-day SGM
Symposium' at this venue entitled Biology of Exploitable Bacteria in
We are currently inviting speakersto cover
the GenusRhodococcu.s.
the following subjects:genetics;systematics;cell wall organization;
ecology, including novel rhodococci from the deep sea; surfaceactive lipids; primary metabolism and bioremediation; degradation
of chlorinated compounds; biotransformations; desulphuranase
enzymes; metabolism of organic nitrogen compounds; industrial
scale-upof amidases.If you would like to offer a poster on a relevant
topic, then please forward your proposal with a title and draft
abstract to the Convener as soon as possible, but by 30 September
1997. In addition, along with the Fermentation & Bioprocessing
Group, SEG is jointly planning a two-day symposium programme
entitled Screeningfor New TherapeuticAgents- if you are interested
in offering a short paper,pleaseseeunder the F&B Group News.
Convener:
Dr GraceAlderson
Deportment of Biomedicol
Sclences
University
of Brodford
Brodford
BD7 IDP
Tel.01274383564
Fox:01274
309742
EmoiI g.olderson@ rodford.oc.uk
Nottingham,30 March-3 April 1998
We are holding a collaborative symposium on Advancesin Fungal
Systematicswith the British Mycological Society.Further details will
appear in the next issueof the Quarterly.If you can offer a poster on
a topic relevant to our theme then pleaseforward your proposal with
a title and draft abstract to the Convener as soon as possible, but
before December 1997.
Warwick, 5-7 January 1999
At this venue the Group is planning a collaborative two-day meeting
with the Microbial Infection and Clinical Virology Groups on the
subject of RespiratoryPathogens.If you are able, then pleasethink
about offering a short paper on this theme.
Future Meetings
We are at an early stage of discussions with a view to holding
symposia in 1999 and 2000 on the subjects of Sub-specific
Classification and Identification and the Impact of Lateral Gene
Transferon Systematics.
Southampton, l-5 September 1997
The Virus Group will host the 2nd European Virology Meeting
contiguously with the normal autumn meeting of the Society.The
theme of the meeting will be Virus-Host Interactionswith a total of I 2
invited speakersmaking 40 minute presentationsthroughout each
morning of the meeting. The current list of confirmed speakersis:
A. Alcami (Oxford), E, Domingo (Madrid), R.M. Elliott (Glasgow),P.
Goulder (Oxford), H.D. Klenk (Marburg), M.G. Masucci (Stockholm),
A. Maule (Norwich), H. Ploegh (Boston, USA), J.G.P. Sissons
(Cambridge),G.T.W.Wertz (Birmingham, USA) and T.F.Wild (Lyon).
In addition to the invited speakersthere will be both open paper (15
minute talks) and poster sessionsduring the meeting. Those wishing
to make presentationsduring thesesessionsshould send titles to the
Convenerby Thursday 12 June f 997 with an indication of whether they
would prefer to make an oral or poster presentation.Those not selected for oral presentationwill be allocatedto one of the poster sessions.
Funds will be availableto assista limited number of PhD students and
PostdoctoralFellowsto attend this meeting.Applications for funding,
with a CV the reasonsfor wishing to attend and a full breakdown of
the costsshould be made to the Convener by 13 lune L997. Student
members of the Society should note that they are eligible to apply for
a grant from the President'sFund to attend this meeting.
Convener:
ProfessorMalcolmA. McCrae
Deportmentof Biologcol
Sciences
UniversityofWorvvick
CoventryCV4 7AL
Tel01203 523524
Fox 0 t 203 523568152370t
Emoilmolcolm@dno.bio.
worvvickoc.uk
Book Reviews
Proceedings of the 5th International Perspectives
o n P r ot ein E ngi n e e ri n g C D -R O M
(|509650 format reodableon PC,Moc ond UN|X systems)
Editedby MJ. Geisow.
Published
by BiodigmLtd (1996).
{50 +VAT
ISBN;
0-952901s-0-t
Michael Geisow introduced this novel concept in publication of
conferenceproceedingsin the FebruaryQuarterly(p.17). This CD is
an impressiveproduction representingmuch effort. It can be used
either as normal or as a hybrid CD-lnternet accessfacility.The CD
containsthe full text and illustrationsof all the conferencepapers,
abstractsand much additional material.Theseare HTML files,to
be read and used with your web browser.The CD offersa'frames'
version for screendisplaywith windows showing the article or other
materialbeing read,contentsand help or supplementaryinformation.
Thereis plenty to interestand inform the stand-alonereader,but the
CD only displaysits full merit when usedwith a connectionto the
Internet.Thousandsof activelinks from the articlesand contentslist
give accessto a tremendousrange of sourcesof information and
meansof communication.On testit generallyworked very well and
most serverstried established
contactquickly.The'frames'presentation
enablesnet explorationwhile simultaneouslyretainingthe CD contents
asa'home base'fromwhich to start new links.Highly recommended
to protein engineers,and to anyoneasan exampleof the technologywill it becomea standardway of producing conferencetransactions,
or will the effort requiredto set up the links be too great?
Ron Fraserand DuncanMcGarva,SGM MarlboroughHouse
Understanding Antibacterial Action and Resistance.
Se c ond E dit ion
ByA.D.Russel/
& l. Chopra.
(1996).
Published
by EllisHorwood
pp.292
t3 t.50
EditedbyM.A.McCroe,J.R.
Sounders,
CJ.Smyth& N.D.Stow.
Published
by Combridge
(1997).
University
Press
{65,001U5$
I 15.00(Membefs
Price:
t26.00lUS$
46.00)
pp.361
,sBN0-52t-592| s-t
Ever since I can remember,and that's a long time ago - I started
doing microbiologybefore polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis
was
invented- the publication of SGM Symposiahavebeen important
events in our calendar.Their quality, timing and authority have
markedthem out from all other reviewsasdemandingpride of place
on our shelvesasworking volumes.
Malcolm McCrae and his colleagueshave done it again with the
55th volume, which focuseson host-pathogeninteractionsat the
molecular level. A strong international team has provided
authoritative reviews on topics ranging from protein-protein and
protein-carbohydrate recognition, prokaryote/eukaryote cell
interactions (Yersinia, Staphyloco
ccus,N eisseria,Shigella,Escherichia
coli, Chlamydia),virus receptors,virus gene expressionand the
host cell, to the formation of protease-resistant
prion proteins.
What a feast!This is a book which provides not only a seriesof
comprehensiveposition papers on the state-of-the-artin one of
the most rapidly developing- and trendy - areasin microbiology
today, but a set of meaty reviews which should also be in the
hands of those of us who dabble in other areaslike molecular
epidemiologyand clinical microbiology.I strongly recommendmy
colleagues
in theseareasto readthem if for nothing but the good of
their souls!
Hugh Pennington,Universityof Aberdeen
Fungal Geneti cs: P ri nci pl es and P racti ce.
Mycology Series,Vol. | 3
/SBN:
0-l3-124827-8
This book provided a timely and excellentoverviewof antibacterial
action and resistance
for me, as I am about to give somelectureson
these topics. This second edition includes modifications and
additionsto coverdevelopments
sincethe first edition.Improvements
are not just confined to this, as completelynew dubjectmatter has
been included such as the developmentprocessfor new antibiotics
and synergy between biocides.Overall, this book is a welcome
addition to other texts on antibacterial action and resistance.
Although the price may be a little high, I will be recommending
this book to my students.
lan Morrissey,Universityof Hertfordshire
Biotechnology.Third
Molecular Aspects of Host-Pathogen Interactions.
S GM S ymposi um V ol ume 55
Editedby CeesJ.
Bos.
Published
by MorcelDekker
lnc(1996).
us$l75.00
pp.4s6
ISBN:
0-8247-9544-X
A major text in Fungal Geneticsis long overdue.This one has an
interesting,indeednovel approach,being divided into two sections.
The first sectiondealswith principlesaddressingboth classicaland
molecularaspectsand the secondis a seriesof casestudiesfocusing
on individual species.The book will be usefulto young researchers
coming to fungal genetics,savingthe time to searchthrough large
numbersof original papers.However,the costwill limit purchaseto
an institutionallibrary or benevolentsupervisorif such individuals
still exist.
John F.PeberdnUniversity of Nottingham
Edition. Studies in Biology Seraes
PlB {9.95 IUS$I 5.95; H I B {27.95 IUS$49.9
5
Yeast Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology,Vol.53
Editedby l.H. Evons.
Published
(1996).
byHumanaPress
pp.236
US$74.s0
ByJohn E. Smith.
Published
by CombridgeUniversityPress(1995).
ISBN:0-52
t-449tt-t (PtB);0-s2t-44467-s
(HIB)
The third edition of John Smith's successfulbook provides an
introductionto the broad rangeof scientificdisciplines,
technologies
and commercialactivity encompassed
by the title. It is aimed at a
variedreadershipfrom interestednon-biologiststo specialistundergraduates.This reasonablypriced book is packed with useful
information and is written in an easilyaccessible
style suited to a
useful coursetext. Longer than previouseditions,it now includes
expandedsectionscoveringsuch important and timely topicsasclean
technology,
genetherapy,patentprotection,the release
of GMOs and
the applicationof human geneticresearch.
Stronglyrecommended.
JohnColby,Sunderland
pp.482
ISBN:
0-89503-3l9-8
This book containsdetaileddescriptionsof many of the techniques
currently usedin yeastmolecular and cell biology. Most chaptersare
written with S. cerevisiae
in mind, although,asthe authors point out,
many of the methodscould be adaptedfor other species.With the
completion of the S. cerevisiaesequencingproject earlier this year,
things are moving quickly in yeastmolecular biology and research
workers in this field, at whom this volume is primarily aimed,will
find some of this book already outdated. However, there is still
enough useful information in this book to warrant having a copy
around the lab.
Dave Gardner,UMIST
L
Book Reviews
An ti mi cr obial Res is t a n c e .A C ri s i s i n H e a l th C a re .
Ad va n ces in E x per im e n ta l Me d i c i n e a n d B i o l o g ;
Vol.390
Tuberculosis. Back to the Future
EditedbyJ.D.H.Porter& K.P.WJ.
McAdam.
Published
byJohnWiley& SonsLtd (1994).
H.S.Froimow
& G.B.Colondra.
Edited
by D.L Jungkind,
J.E Mortensen,
pp.28s
{.t4.9stus$23.9s
ISBN:
0-47l-94346-0
(1995).
Published
by PlenumPublishing
Corporation
pp.248
ISBN:
0-305-45207-3 An excellentintroductory chapter by Dixie Snider sets the tone
us$79.50
Publicationin 1995 of a symposium held in 1993 seemsan
this well-referenced
unpromisingstart for this volume.Nonetheless,
expositionof how things were two yearsago (the manuscriptswere
updatedafter the symposium)is not without value,particularlyfor
A seriesof reviewsand reportsconcentratingon
the non-specialist.
hot topics in resistanceare on offer. MRSA and MDRTB are very
minor playerson this stagedominated by Vancomycin,quinolone
and p-lactam resistance.Bit-parts are taken by malaria, HIU
trichomonasand fungi as well as more generalmanagementissues
such as molecular epidemiology,infection control and laboratory
detection.This is not a book to settledown and read; its coverage
is uneven, goes to very different levels and seemsto addressquite
different patterns of expertise.I can't really seewho would want to
buy it, but you might get lucky and find what you want in it.
Mike Barer,Universityof NewcastleMedicalSchool
(l ) R e com binant DNA a n d B i o te c h n o l o g y :
A Guide forTeachers
(2 ) Re com binant DNA a n d Bi o te c h n o l o g y :
A Gu i d e f or S t udent s
A4ossey.
& Adrionne
ByHelenKreuzer
(1995).
Published
by ASMPress
p/us5% shippinglhondling
(l) US$39.95,
chorge
pp.ss2
IS BN/-5
: 5 5 8 1 -l 0l -9C ;
(2) US$35.95,plus 5% shippinglhondling
chorge
pp.3a9
I S B N l:- 5 5 5 8 1 - l l 0 - 8 c
Encouragedby a more liberal regulatoryenvironment than exists
within the EuropeanUnion, laboratorywork with DNA has been a
featureof high school educationin the USA sincethe mid-1980s.
Togetherthis teacher'sguideand its companionvolume for students
provideboth a textbook and practicalmanual for laboratorywork,
coupledwith numerouspencil and papersimulationsplus materials
to stimulate classroomdebate on ethical issues.Unlike those in
severalsimilar texts, all of the practical protocols are suitable for
schoolsin Europe,althoughthe Americanemphasis(particularlyin
the sectionon careers)may discouragesome readers.Recommended.
for what's to follow in this synopsisof the London School of
Hygiene's third annual public health forum which dealt with
tuberculosis.Expertsin the fields of chemotherapy,epidemiology,
immunology and molecular biology present their views and
knowledgeon tuberculosisand outline the goals that need to be
aimed for if weare to lessenthe global burden of this disease.
Discussionsectionsat the end of each chapter,including reports
from the workshops, add considerableextra value rather than
just repeatingthe messageof the preceding chapters.Although
parts, such as those dealing with the molecular biology of drug
resistance,could do with updating, this volume can certainly be
recommended.
StephenGordon,Institut Pasteur
Bacterial Growth
and Form
By Arthur L. Koch.
Published
by Chopmon& Holl (1995).
{55.00
pp.423
,s8N0-4t2-0287
t-9
Introducingthis unique book, Ron Doyle and Lolita Daneo-Moore
write "those of you who will neverbe able to meet Arthur (Koch)
will get to know him well by studying this book'l Very true.
Like its author, this book is engaging,provocative,intelligentand
delightful to know. The style is easy,despite rigorous theoretical
analysesof patterns and mechanismsof growth of bacteria
and fungi. The book blendsultrastructuralstudiesof bacteriawith
the underlying'chemistry' (thermodynamics,diffusion theory
and kinetics). Who should read it? Koch provides the answer:
"peoplewho alreadyhavea fascinationwith bacteria'lBuy it.
Robert Poole,Sheffield
Dean Madden, NCBE, Reading
Virology Methods Manual
Editedby B.WJ.Mohy& H.O.Kongro.
(1996).
Press
Published
by Acodemic
t55.00
'From
pp.st2
ISBN;
0-/ 2-465330-8
TCID5Oto PCR'
Brian Mahy and Hillar Kangro'sbook mirrors the story of virology
overthe last 20-30 years.The manual dividescomfortablywithout
too much overlap into three sections,classical,molecular and
medicalvirology. Classicalvirology setsa strong foundation of cell
cultures,often consideredto be more of an art than a science.
Molecularvirology was very competentlyhandled with many of the
contributorsparting with their tried and testedtechniquesin a way
that cannot always be covered in original publications. The
'open-flat'
spiral binding of the manual means it will be used at
thebench by working virologists of all backgrounds.
Liz Boxall,Public Health Laboratory,Birmingham
Findthedetailedprogramme
on the Web:
http ://wrrw.biod ig m.com/pope/pope6.htm
Secretariat:
POPE'97clo Biodigm,
G4Langdale
GroveBingham
NG138SS,UKFax:01949876156
E-mail
: biodigm@dial.pipex.com
BookReviews
Strategies for Protein Purification and
Characterization. A Laboratory Course Manual
M.W.Knuth,
R.R.Burgess,
ByD.R.Marshok,
J.T.Kadonaga,
& S.-H.Lin.
W.A.Brennon,Jr
(1995).
Press
HorborLoborotory
Published
by ColdSpring
US$l,0.00(Cloth)
pp.88t
Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of
Animal Experiments in the Development and
Control of Biological Products.
Developments in Biological Standardization,Vol. 86
Editedby F.Brown,
K.Cussler
& C. Hendriksen.
Eosel(I996).
Published
by S.KorgerAG,
US$75.00(Plasticcomb binding)
ISBN:0-87969-449-l sF1345.00| DM4 I 3.00| US$3
00.00
pp.374
pp.88t
ISBN:0-87959-385-l
This book certainly succeedsas a manual to teachboth the strategy
and execution of protein purification by actually doing it, and
experimentscan be usedreliably'straightfrom the pagelIn addition,
good cross-indexingmakes it a useful techniquesreferencesource
and its layout, as four self-containedunits, enablesentire sets of
protocols to be studied without the requirementof hacking through
the whole course manual. Severalof our researchstudents have
also used it successfullyas a self-studytext when confronted by the
need to puri$' proteins. Definitely a worthwhile purchasefor any
laboratory.
Martin A. Collins,Belfast
Methods in Soil Biology
& R Morgesin.
R.lhlinger,E Kandeler
ByF.Schinner,
GmbH& Co.KG(1996).
Published
by Springer-Verlag
DM98.00| oS7I 5.40| sFr85.50
pp.426
Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities.
A G uide f or M in i m i z i n g R i s k
ByM.R.Freije.
lnc.( I 995).
Resources,
Published
by HC lnformotion
(Fax+ l 317875 55 5 9 )
us$79.00
pp. l3l
The development and batch testing of biological medicines uses
large numbers of animalsin testswhich often havelethal end-points
or causeconsiderablesuffering. These 35 papers and 26 postersby
key people deal with viral, bacterial and toxoid vaccinesas well as
therapeutictoxins and monoclonal antibodies.
Reviews and original research, with reliable detail and useful
tables, are accompaniedby comprehensiveanalysisand historical
perspective.This volume should be read by all who produce, test
and regulate biologicals and by microbiologists interested in
replacinganimal tests.However,the price will deter individuals and
even,perhaps,some libraries and institutions.
Gill LanglenDr HadwenTrust for Humane Research,Hitchin
Animal Cell Electroporation and Electrofusion
Protocols. Methods in Molecular BiolognVol.48
EditedbyJ.A.Nickolofi
(1995).
Published
byHumanaPress
pp.392
ISBN;
3-540-59055-2 Us$54.s0
This is a useful collection of methods for soil biologistsdescribinga
wide range of the most tried and tested methods. Each chapter is
written by a recognizedexpert and the format is clearand easilyread
with clear diagrams and explanations.Compared to the American
SSSAMerhodsof SoilAnalysisPart 2, this new book is not as detailed
nor aswide ranging but it still appealsasthere are severalalternative
methods described and it is simpler and clearer. There are
additional short chapters on soil chemistry and physics, which
although not comprehensive,describea few of the most essential
techniques. Some methods books are now published on waterproofed paper in ring binders to use on the bench. Methodsin Soil
Biology is still a referencebook for the shelf but its clarity and
simplicity of presentationmake it easyto use.
Colin Campbell, MacaulayLand Use ResearchInstitute
ISBN:0-9649926-4-7
This short guide includes: a brief review of relevant facts about
legionnaire'sdiseaseand Legionella;howto establishan appropriate
action plan; preventative measures;planning and carrying out
environmental sampling; disinfection and the responseto an
outbreak. Information is used from all over the world but,
unfortunately, the book is biased to the North American market.
Despite this it does bring together a lot of useful information in a
compact and convenientlypresentedform. There are some divergencesfrom UK practice which mean that it could not be used by
itself for guidance in the UK. The discussionsof sampling and the
disinfection methods applicable to hot water systemsare helpful
although stabilized chlorine dioxide is not mentioned. For those
with about 150 to spareit is a worthy adjunct to the existingcodesof
practiceand guidanceavailablein the UK, but not essentialreading.
fohn V. Lee, Public Health Laboratory,Nottingham
ISBN;
3-8055-5260-8
rsBN0-89503-304-X
This compilation of explanationsand protocols follows the regular
seriesformat - soft-backed,plastic-bound and A'5 size,which in our
laboratory has proved to be robust and popular with staff and
students. Equally popular is the wealth of technical detail; the
'Notes'
'Notes'
and reference lists. The
also include
explanatory
conceptualpoints which will lead the experimenterto understanding
how thesetechniquescan be adapted.
The first three chapters introduce the theoretical aspects of
electroporation,how membranes may be perturbed, the bioactive
molecules (DNA, antibodies, hormones) established and the
instrumentation availablefor electric field technologies.
Nineteen chapters describe applications for animal cells and
seven cover electrofusion.Although electroporation has not been
exploited therapeutically,its potential for gene therapy is outlined
and an interesting chapter describesthe effect on cardiac tissue
following defibrillation.
This volume should fulfil its aim, to "take the guesswork out of
experimentaltrials'l
Keith Thompson, Belfast
Protein Purification Protocols.
Methods in Molecular Biology,Vol. 59
Editedby S.Doonan.
Published
lnc.(1996).
byHumonaPress
pp.424
us$64.s0
,s8N0-89503-336-8
A chapter on generalstrategiesleadson to 34 chaptersdealingwith
individual techniques.Each chapter is self-containedand presented
straightforwardly, enabling first-timers to follow the protocols
readily. To further aid this target readership, the Editor has
thoughtfully included a concluding chapter on'how to do'column
chromatography, neatly filling in some of the practical gaps in
materials and equipment required and their use. Overall, a well
presentedutilitarian bench manual and a worthwhile purchasefor
novice and establishedpractitioner
"ttut'
A. corins, Berfast
""rtin
Book Reviews
H uma n M olec ular G en e ti c s .
Methods in Molecular Genetics,Vol. 8
W.Adolph.
Editedby Kenneth
Press
lnc.(1996).
Published
by Academic
us$85.00
pp.s00
ISBN:
0-l2-0443l0-4
Sections of this book deal with techniques applicable to DNA
(and occasionallyproteins) in general,and thesewill be of interest
to microbiologists. The techniques described form a mixed bag,
varying from the standard (Southern blotting, in the chapter on
loss of heterozygosityand homozygous deletion analysis) to the
intriguingly unfamiliar (such as a method for identifying
optimal DNA-binding sitesfor DNA-binding proteins,in chapter4).
Severaltopics are discussedmore than once: chemical mismatch
cleavage,for instance, appears in chapters I and 5, and SSCP
(single-strandconformational polymorphism) in chapters 3, 4
and 5. Nevertheless,the variations in different descriptions of
the same technique are liable sometimes to be valuable in
A book for the techniques-orientedmolecular geneticist
themselves.
to browsein'
simon Baumberg,Leeds
Molecular Biotechnology.
Principles and Applications of Recombinant DNA
& Berry volume on Biosynthesis
and Metabolism;Brambl & Marzluf's
decision to focus on'emerging topics' has resulted in relatively few
subjectsbeing coveredin both volumes.Furthermore, the comparison
underlines the remarkableadvancein our knowledge gained from
the application of molecular biology to the fungi. Important topics
such as plasma membrane, mitochondrial and vacuolar ATPases,
heat-shock proteins, signal transduction, chitin biosynthesis,
cellulases,polyamines, and nitrogen and carbon metabolism are
coveredin the presentvolume, whilst hormone mechanisms,enzyme
production and secretion, lipid biosynthesis,and steroid and
polypeptide biosynthesis will presumably be covered in later
volumes.At over 1100 a copy, the book is destined for the library
shelf rather than the academic'soffice. Let us hope it is used there
and increasesthe interest of researchersin this important group of
micro-organisms.
TonyTrinci, Manchester
Biodiversity, Science and Development.
Towards a New Partnership
Editedby F.Di Castri& IYounds.
Publishedby CAB lnternotionolin ossociotionwith the lnternotionol
Unionof Biologicol
(1996).
Sciences
t65.00 (US$120.00Americasonly)
pp.672
ISBN:0-85198-973-X
By8.R.Glick& JJ.Posternak
(1994).
Published
by ASMPress
In September 1994 there was a DIVERSITAS meeting (an IUBSSCOPE-UNESCO programme on biological diversity) for which
pp.s20
ISBN:
l-5558l,-071-3 this is the proceedings.Although IUBS PresidentF. di Castri singles
us$42.9s
out marine and microbial systemsas needing specialattention, the
majority of chaptersdevote themselvesto macroscopic,terrestrial
This text is an excellent guide for undergraduatesstudying biosystems.For microbial interest,turn to chaptersby Colwell (pp. a56technologyand also very interestingto more advancedresearchers.
468) and Comer & Debus (pp. a88-a99) which both focus on
It addressesfundamental issues of gene cloning, transformation
biotechnology.
into suitable hosts and production of heterologous products as
Many of the book's contributors discussthe inadequacyof species
well as exploring the issuesof regulation and patenting. It is very
richness as a biodiversity measure which comes as welcome
broad in its approachso that plant and animal systemsare discussed
relief from the more common (voluble?) 'count-'em' school of
as well as microbial biotechnology.It fills the gap betweencloning
biodiversity. The book lacks the detailed data of UNEP's Global
texts and general molecular biology texts which should make it
BiodiversityAssessment
but provides a useful set of authoritative
appealto a wide readership.The writing and presentationstylesare
opinions, excellent illustrative examples and highly quotable
good and students will find the review questions at ttrp end of
passages.
When writing about biodiversity at a general level (e.g.
each chapter helpful, although guideline answers are missing
backgroundsand introductions to researchpapers),this is a book to
and would be useful. The review copy was the 1994 edition and
which you should haveaccess.
it is currently being revised for 1997 which should bring it right
Dave Roberts,Natural History Museum
up to date and well worth considering if you are looking for a
biotechnology text to adopt.
Anne Glover,Aberdeen
BooksReceived
The Mycota,Vol. lll.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Editedby R Brombl& G.A.Morzluf.
Published
by Springer-Verlag
GmbH& Co.KG(l,996).
DM298.00|iiS2,I 75.40IsFr260.00
pp.449
ISBN:3-540-58004-2
The fungi are a polyphyletic group consisting of an estimated 1.5
million speciesof which less than 5 o/ohave been identified and
who have
They are studied by mycologists/microbiologists
classified.
a wide knowledgeof the group, and by biologistswho, although they
cerevisiae,
usethem as model organisms(particularly Saccharomyces
pombe, Neurospora crAssa and Aspergillus
Schizosaccharomyces
nidulans), have little knowledge of fungal diversity. The present
treatiseis intended to serveboth groups and if it bridgesthis difficult
divide it will servea very valuablefunction.
It is interestingto comparethe presentvolume with the 1975Smith
Handbook of Fluorescent
Chemicals, Sixth Edition
Probes and Research
By R.PHouglond.
Published
by MolecularProbesEuropeBV (1996).
The first copy of the Handbook (pp. 679) is sent free to customers.
An electronicversion of the entire Handbook and bibliographiesfor
all productsare alsoavailablethrough the Molecular Probes'Website
(http://www.probes.com).
Corona- and Related Viruses.Advances in
Experimental Medicine and Biology,Vol. 380
EditedbyPJ.Talbot
& G.A.Levy.
Published
(1995).
by PlenumPublishing
Corporotion
pp.5 I 5
US$I 39.50
ISBN:0-305-45I l7-4
Checkpoints and Non-linear
Dependency Relationships
Southampton,l-5 September1997
2nd Europeon Virology Meeting:
Virus-Host I nteractions
Southornpton,3-5 September1997
Furtherdetailscanbe foundon the
web at http://www.socgenmicrobiol.
org.uk/evirfli.htm
loint meeting of the SGM
Clinicol Yirology Group ond
Europeon Group for Ropid
Yirol Diognosis:
Viral Cross-infection in
Clinical Care
RoyolSociety of Medicine,
4-6 lonuary l9?8
Biology of Exploitable Bacteria
in the Genus Rhodococcus
Bradford,G8 tonuary 1998
Microbial Responses to Light
and Time
Nottinghom, 30 Morch-3 April 1998
loint meeting withThe Geneticol
Society - a symPosium to mork
the retirernent of Professor Sir
Dovid Hopwood FRCS:
Portrait of an Organism:
The Genetic Analysis of
Streptomy ces coelicolor 43 (2)
Biology
Universityof Eost Anglio,
8-10 September1998
Administrator:
Contact:Meetings
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Wood,Reading
Road,Spencers
RG7 IAE (Tel.0 | l8 9885577ext. 153;
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http://www.
socgenmicrobiol.org.uk;Web
k/meetings.htm).
socgenmicrobiol.org.u
Seepp.72-75.
Control of Metabolic Flux:
Approaches
for Understanding
the Control of Flux in Yeasts
Virus
Second International
Assembly Symposium
The Conory lslonds,
and Fungi
Giens (ne or Toulo n), Fro nce,
I4-18 lune 1997
Contact:Dr J. Hendekovic,European
ScienceFoundation,I quai LezayMarn6sia,67080 StrasbourgCedex,
France (Tel.+33 388 76 7 | 35: Fax +33
l4-19 September 1997
Contact: Professor Polly Roy,NERC
Institute ofVirology & Environmental
Microbiology,Mansfield Road,Oxford
OX | 3SR (Fax 0 | 865 559962)
388 36 69 87; Emaileuresco@esf.org)
6th lnternational Conference
on Perspectives in Protein
Engineering: Engineered
Proteins from Microbes &
Plants
JohnlnnesCentre, Norwich,
28lune-l luly 1997
POPE'97,
c/o
Contact:Secretariat:
Grove,Bingham
Biodigm,
64 Langdale
N G l 3 8 S S( F a x0 1 9 4 98 7 6 1 5 6E; m a i l
http://
biodigm@dial.pipex.com;Web
www.biodigm.com/pope/pope6.htm)
The Second United Kingdom
Symposium
on Health-related
Water Microbiology
University of Worwic(
lf-19 September 1997
Contact:Dr Ray Morris, 142
HinckleyRoad,BarwellLE9 8DN
(Tel/Fax01455 842 145;Email:wmorris
Treatment
and Utilization
of Agro-l ndustrial Waste for
and
a Cleaner Environment
Sustainabi lity. lC RO/U N ESCO
Training Course
Hot Yoi,Thoilond, 4- I 6 August I 997
Contact: Dr Poonsuk Prasertsan,
Dept of IndustrialBiotechnology,
Facultyof Agro-lndustry,Prince of
SongklaUniversity,HatYai 90 110,
Thailand (Fax +66 74 212 889)
47th Harden Conference:
Regulation
of Carbohydrate
Metabolism
in Normal and
Diseased States
Roya I Agri cu ltu ro I Co lle ge,
Cirenceste4 2l-25 September 1997
Contact:MichelleMandale,The
BiochemicalSocietyHarden
Conferences,59 Portland Place,
L o n d o n W l N 3 A J( T e l . 0 l 7 l 5 8 0 3 4 8 1 ;
Disease
Prevention:
Scientifi c Controversies
Co ste lvecch i o Poscoli, lto ly,
24-29 May
Contact: Dr J. Hendekovic,European
ScienceFoundation,I quai LezayMarn6sia,67080 StrasbourgCedex,
France(Tel.+33 388 76 7l 35; Fax +33
88514496l6; Email botany@
ken.healthnet.org)
jamstec.go.jp)
4th International
Symposium
on Viruses of Lower
Vertebrates
Weymouth, l2-15 Moy 1998
Contact: Prof. Barry Hill or Dr Peter
Dixon, CEFASWeymouth Laboratory,
Barrack Road,The Nothe,Weymouth,
Dorset DT4 8UB, UK (Tel.01305
2 0 6 6 0 0F
; a x0 1 3 0 52 0 6 6 0 l ;E m a i lb . j . h i l l
@cefas.co.ukor p.f.dixon@cefas.co.uk)
meetings@biochemsoc.org.uk)
Emergence
and Re-emergence
of Negative
Strand
Tenth I nternational
Viruses:
Conference
on Negative Strand Viruses
Dublin, Irclond, 2 l-26 September 1997
Contlct: Dr B.WJ.Mahy,PO Box 33799,
Decatur GA 30033-799,USA (Tel.+ |
404 728 0564; Fax +l 404 728 0Q32;
Email nsv@aol.com)
37th lntersc:ence
Conference
on Antimicrobial
Agents and
Chemotherapy
Toronto, Conodo,
28 September-l October 1997
Contact:ASM Meetings Department,
| 325 Massachusetts
Avenue NW
Washington DC 20005 (Tel.+ | 202
9429248: Fax +l 202 9429340:
Email meetingsinfo@asmusa.org)
Molecular Biology Techniques.
Training
ICRO/UNESCO
Course
Noirobi, Kenyo, I4-28 August 1997
Contact: Dr OJ. Ochanda,
BiotechnologyGroup, Dept of Botany
and Biochemistry,Chiromo, PO Box
30 197,Nairobi,Kenya(Fax +254 2 336
I nternational
Congress
on Extremophiles
Yokohomo, lapan,
I8-22 Jonuory 1998
Contact Mr Katsumi Sakakura
(Fax +8 | 468 66 5306;Emailshimizut@
@cix.compulink.co.uk)
Fax 0l7 | 637 7626:Email
The Biochemical
Society
Meeting
University of Dundee,
29-3t luly 1997
Contact:The MeetingsOffice,The
BiochemicalSociety,59 Pordand Place,
LondonW l N 3AJ [el. 0l 7l 580 3481;
Fax 0l7l 637 7626;Email
uk)
meetings@biochemsoc.org.
q%
Second European Meeting on
Diagnostic PCR
Ku rhous H otel,T he H ague,T he
Netherlonds, lFlT October 1997
Contact: Huub Schellekens,Tinbergenpad
6,2912 BH Nieuwerkerk a/d ljssel,The
Netherlands(Tel.+3 | 180 3 13630;Fax
+ 3 | 1 8 03 1 8 7 9 5 E
; m a i lh u u b s @ x s 4 a l l . n h
GSM mobile phone +3 | 654686557)
2nd lnternational
Workshop
on Bemisia and Geminiviral
Diseases
Son luon, Puerto Rico,7-12 lune 1998
Contact: Mrs D. Guy, SecretaryTreasurer,IWBGD 2120 Camden Road,
Orlando,FL 32803-l419, USA (Tel.+ |
407 897 7304; Fax +l 407 897 7337;
Email rmayer@ix.netcom.com;Web
http:i/www.wisc.edu/plhealthser/
gv-wf/index.htm)
Eighth International
Symposium on Microbial
Ecology - Microbial
Biosystems: New Frontiers
Halifox, Novo Scotio, Conado,
9-l4August 1998
Contact:
Dr ColinR.Bell,Microbial
EcologyLaboratory,
Dept of Biology,
AcadiaUniversiry,Wolfville,
Nova
Scotia,
CanadaBOP IXO (Tel.+ | 902
5422201ext. | 328;Fax+ | 902 542
3466;EmailismeS@acadiau.ca;Web
http:i/dragon.acad
iau.ca./-cbel
l/ismeS.html)
388 36 69 87; Email euresco@esf.org)
Management Forum
Conference: Rapid
Microbiological Techniques in
the Pharmaceutical lndustry
London,28Moy 1997
ForumLtd,
Contact:Management
48WoodbridgeRoad,Guildford,
SurreyGU | 4RJ(Tel.01483570099;
Email
Fax01483536424;
manage
ment-foru m@psiIink.co.uk
46th Harden Conference:
and Mechanism
of
Structure
Oxidases and Related Systems
Robbins Holl, University of Plymouth,
28 August-2 September 1997
Contact:MichelleMandale,The
BiochemicalSocietyHarden
Conferences,59 Portland Place,
L o n d o nW l N 3 A J [ e l . 0 l 7 l 5 8 0 3 4 8 1;
Fax 0l71 637 7626;Emaitl:
meetings@biochemsoc.org.uk)
6th InternationalSymposium
on dsRNAViruses
Cocoyoc, Mexico,9- I 3 November I 997
Contact: Drs SusanaL6pez or Carlos
F.Arias,Instituto de Biotecnologia/
UNAM,Apartado Postal5 l 0-3, Colonia
Miraval.Cuernavaca,Morelos. Mexico
(Tel.+52 73 29 l66l:Fax +5273 17
2388;Emaildsrna@ibt.unam.mx)
BIOTECHNOLOGY
2000: I lth
International
Biotechnology
Symposium
and Exhibition
lnternotionol Congress Centre (lCC),
Berlin, Germony,
3-8 September 2000
Contact: DECHEMA e.V.,c/o I lth
IBS,Theodor-Heuss-Alee25, D-60486
Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Tel.+49
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http://www.dechema.de)
T
SGMQUARTERLY
May t997
Officers:
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Schoolof Biological Sciences,1.800 Stopford Building, Oxford Road,
University of Manchester,ManchesterMl3 9PT
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