 
Microbiology
Today May 2002
The great diversity and adaptability of microbes can be
exploited to our benefit by scientists.
Kristien Mortelmans
 summarizes the ways in which micro-organisms can be put to
work in her introduction to this
issue on applied microbiology.
Extremophiles have adapted to live in harsh environments, such as hot
springs, polar zones and salt lakes.
David Lloyd
describes some of these fascinating microbes and the
metabolism which allows them to survive,
before exploring the potential applications of the enzymes they produce.
Bacterial cells can be used as protein 'factories' and David Summers reports on his group's
development of
a novel cell expression system with commercial potential. Industry is
already using microbial polysaccharides in a wide
range of products, such as foods and cosmetics, as Ian Sutherland
describes.
Microbes can be harnessed to clean up pollution. One application is to
remove explosives from contaminated land, as shown by
Elaine Boyd and Neil Bruce
. Other microbiologists are using bacteria in the
bioremediation of metals in different
ways as described by Jonathan Lloyd
and Victoria Baxter-Plant and
co-authors
.
The controversy about the triple MMR vaccine continues to dominate the
headlines. We take a look at the background to this issue in
Comment
. Other subjects featured include activities and reports on overseas initiatives
carried out by SGM members.
Hot off the Press
[Acrobat PDF] highlights some new developments in
microbiological research published in the Society's journals -
Microbiology, Journal of
General Virology and International Journal of Systematic and
Evolutionary Microbiology.
Topics covered include:
- AIDS - does HIV-2 hold the key to understanding HIV-1?
- Novel Rhodococcus species from medieval Czech grave
- Charcoal keeps coils in culture - summary
- Prion-like proteins in Saccharomyces and Candida
- Something in the air
- Novel virus may hamper use of a TB vaccine for badgers
- An extraordinary new species from the canals of Venice
- Friendly gut bug produces killer protein
Other items include:
- Going Public
[Acrobat PDF] - Projecting microbiology to primary
schools; Practical microbiology
course for post-16 students on Merseyside
- Gradline
[Acrobat PDF] - Promega Young Life Scientist of the
Year
- SchoolZone
[Acrobat PDF] - Vocational GCSEs
Last updated 29 May 2003
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