Editorial

Welcome to the November 2013 issue of Microbiology Today, the first in my new role as Editor. One of the first things that I would like to do is to thank Paul Hoskisson for his good humour, effective stewardship and hard work throughout his tenure as Editor of this magazine. On behalf of the editorial team and myself we wish you well in your new roles at SGM.

It was recently pointed out to me that I have joined a series of Editors of Microbiology Today (and its recent predecessors) who have passed through the John Innes Centre on their personal scientific journeys. In my case I left the John Innes Centre more than six years ago to begin my new role as a lecturer in the Norwich Medical School (NMS) where I am lucky enough to teach medical students about the importance of microbes to human disease. I am constantly surprised at the pleasure and satisfaction I gain from talking about the microbial world and I am fortunate that my job offers me the opportunity to share this interest with a wider audience, the public. I am delighted that my new role as Editor of Microbiology Today provides an opportunity to interact with a wide audience of fellow 'microbophiles'.

In this November edition we have chosen to highlight the opportunities and challenges that microbes offer to biofuel production. Commissioning these articles gave me a chance to revisit the different stages of my own research career. While working at the John Innes Centre a decade ago, I researched the production of hydrogen peroxide for lignin degradation by the white rot fungus Ceriporiopsis subvermispora. It was interesting to read Graeme Walker’s informative overview of the current trends and developments in lignocellulosic processes that produce fuel alcohol, whilst Edward Green discusses clostridia and ABE fermentation, named after its major chemical products: acetone, butanol and ethanol. The article by Frank Sargent and Ciarán Kelly describes the potential for hydrogen to be used as a 'clean' fuel. Bacteria and algae have the potential to play a key role in the production of biohydrogen and it is the hydrogenase enzymes (a group of enzymes that I studied throughout my PhD) that are responsible for the majority of this hydrogen production. Finally, Elena Kazamia, Christian Ridley and Alison Smith discuss the current status of algal biofuel research, and why algal biofuels are not yet widely commercially available but may have useful future prospects. These articles highlight the inherent issues in translating biofuels research into viable alternatives sources of energy and energy production. Other articles include a Comment section where Colin Miles sets out the BBSRC's current position on industrial biotechnology and bioenergy, highlighting their flagship projects and how the BBSRC has allocated its funding. This commitment from the UK government and the business community will ensure that the UK economy is able to support and ultimately be supported by alternative sources of energy, including biofuels. As well as backing the research that underpins development in this area, there needs to be a commitment to translate this upstream research into downstream, economically viable businesses; brokering sound communication opportunities between the worlds of business, science and the public is key to success in this area. Finally we have an article that provides us with an insight into the Society's greatest asset, its diverse community of members.

Bringing this edition together has been a collaborative effort and I would like to thank the editorial board for their help, support and willingness to share their experience with me. I look forward to continuing to work with you in future editions.

LAURA BOWATER
Editor
Email: [email protected]