Microbiology's Final Frontier
01 May 1997 publication
The lead articles of the May 1997 issue of SGM Quarterly are on microbiology's final frontier; Antarctica – a microbial paradise; Cryptosporidium and E. coli O157; and Japan's 'functional foods'.
The Deep Seas – microbiology's final frontier (p. 47)
An exciting range of microbes is being found in the ocean depths. Their biological diversity and metabolic acrivities show great promise for exploitation by scientists, explains Alan Bull.
Antarctica – a microbial paradise (p. 50)
Despite the difficulties of getting to and staying in Antarctica, it probably provides the best guarantee of an undisturbed and uninhabited ecosystem in which to work. Nick Russell describes this.
Cryptosporidium and Cryptosporidiosis (p. 52)
Water-borne transmission of the protozoan gut parasite Cryptosporidium parvum has received much publicity. Colin Fricker and Huw Smith discuss how detecting the oocysts of this organism presents a great challenge to the water microbiologist.
Vero Cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157: Cause for concern (p. 54)
A recent outbreak of fatal illness associated with meat products in Scotland has focused public attention on E. coli O157, an enteric pathogen which has emerged in the past 15 years. Henry Smith explains what the organism is and why it is so important.
Escherichia coli O157: From farm to fork and beyond (p. 55)
As a follow-up to the previous article, Benard Mackey and Glenn Gibson, from the Institute of Food Research, consider some strategies which show promise for controlling E. coli O157 in the future.
Japan's functional food industry (p. 58)
Japan has a unique functional food industry. This is now a burgeoning sector, with 73 products available. Tom Salusbury discusses how Japan may have a 10 year lead in what may become a huge global industry.
International Development Fund report (p. 60)
J. Michael Thresh describes the Plant Virus Epidemiology and Control training course held in Nigeria in November 1996, supported by the Society's International Development Fund.
'Plagues, Pestilences and People' – a student-centred elective unit in an undergraduate biology course (p. 64)
Joanna Verran and John Willcox explain student-centred learning in undergraduate courses.
