Winners of the Microbiology best paper of the year 2022
Posted on March 2, 2023 by Microbiology Society
Today, we announced the winners of the Microbiology best papers of the year 2022. We spoke to the authors to find out more about them and their research.
Aathmaja Anandhi Rangarajan
What is the full title of your article?
Aathmaja Anandhi Rangarajan, Hannah E. Chia, Christopher A. Azaldegui, Monica H. Olszewski, Gabriel V. Pereira, Nicole M. Koropatkin and Julie S. Biteen (2022) Ruminococcus bromii enables the growth of proximal Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron by releasing glucose during starch degradation
Who or what inspired you to be a scientist?
My professors who taught me microbial genetics and molecular biology, inspired me to be a scientist. I was enthralled by the elegant genetic experiments that were designed to discover basic molecular mechanisms like replication, transcription and translation. I wanted to work on discovering such defining principles in biology.
What are you currently working on and what area of your research excites you the most?
I’m currently working on signalling and gene regulation in Vibrio cholerae. I’m interested in understanding different signals that bacteria sense and the respective genes they regulate to adapt in different environmental conditions.
How would you explain your current research to a child under 10?
I’m trying to understand how bad bacteria change their nature quickly to win and cause disease.
What would you be doing in your career if you weren’t a scientist?
I’d probably be a science teacher if I weren’t a scientist.
Manjunatha N
What is the full title of your article?
Manjunatha N, Nayana Manjunatha, Hua Li, Krishnapillai Sivasithamparam, Michael G.K Jones, Ian Edwards, Stephen J. Wylie, * and Ruchi Agarrwal. (2022) Fungal endophytes from salt-adapted plants confer salt tolerance and promote growth in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at early seedling stage.
Who or what inspired you to be a scientist?
My father was an agriculturist. When I was young (I probably was 16-18 years old), I would go to the farm during school holidays with him. The love with agriculture since childhood made me an agriculture scientist.
What are you currently working on and what area of your research excites you the most?
I’m currently working on pomegranate pathogens, epidemiology and management of diseases through biocontrol approach using endophytes and PGPR. Management of bacterial blight disease without using antibiotics excites me most.
How would you explain your current research to a child under 10?
Through pictorial representation (through cartoons) and comparison of technical points with children’s daily activities. I will explain the benefit of bioagents in plant health by comparing the role of probiotics (presence of beneficial microbes) in human health.
What would you be doing in your career if you weren’t a scientist?
As mentioned earlier, if I was not a scientist, I would have been a progressive or model farmer in our village.
Gary Sawers
What is the full title of your article?
M. Kammel, O. Trebbin, C. Pinske, R. G. Sawers. (2022) A single amino acid exchange converts FocA into a unidirectional efflux channel for formate
Who or what inspired you to be a scientist?
Having always had a general interest in nature and science, I was naturally drawn to being a scientist. As soon as I learned about biochemistry, my interest was piqued. Having inspirational science teachers at school always helps too.
What are you currently working on and what area of your research excites you the most?
Science, like life, tends to turn full circle. My research career began by studying hydrogen and formate metabolism in Escherichia coli. Almost inevitably, my research focus has returned to both molecules, their importance for microorganisms generally, and the overall impact they have had on life’s evolutionary history.
How would you explain your current research to a child under 10?
You probably know that ants squirt the chemical formic acid to protect themselves from predators. Bacteria can also make and use formic acid, but to help them grow, probably not to protect themselves. We are interested in finding out all of the things that bacteria use formic acid for.
What would you be doing in your career if you weren’t a scientist?
I have absolutely no idea!
