Fighting microbes
01 February 1998 publication
The lead articles of the February 1998 issue of SGM Quarterly are on meningitis; Tobacco Mosaic Virus; microbiology in your attic; deep-sea biotechnology; beyond the naked eye; and community science.
Meningitis and Meningococcal Disease (p. 06)
Fatal cases of meningitis have been reported in the media. What are the facts behind the headlines? Jon Saunders and Tony Hart provide the facts on this terrible disease and discuss what hopes there are for prevention and cure in the future.
When did you last check your institute attics? Microbiology history could be up there! (p. 08)
The University of Delft has housed many pioneering microbiologists. Lesley Robertson wonderes what have they left behind besides their distinguished reputations?
Tobacco Mosaic Virus: Pioneering research for a century (p. 09)
The pioneering work on Tobacco Mosaic Virus is considered by many microbiologists to mark the origin of the science of virology, as Bryan Harrison and Michael Wilson discuss.
Deep-sea thermophilic micro-organisms: Is there any real biotechnological potential? (p. 10)
Micro-organisms are now being isolated in significant numbers from extreme environments. Jean-Paul Raffin explores their potential uses in industry.
PCR in Nepal: A microbiologist's dream or a reality? (p. 12)
Molecular biology in the Himalayas? Modern technology has an important part to play in the eradiction of leprosy and TB in a remote corner of the world.
Owl's Brains to Angel's Trumpets: The trouble century of the Golgi apparatus (p. 14)
On the centenary of Golgi's discovery, Keith Vickerman wonders whether continuing uncertainty and controversy are a better passport to scientific immortality than being right first time.
Beyond the naked eye (p. 16)
Roger Jones, the producer of a TV documentary on microbes that was shown on BBC2, talks about what inspired him to carry out the project.
Science in the sticks (p. 18)
A Community Science Weekend held in an Oxfordshire village showed that science events held outside of city centres can certainly pull in the punters. But there are pitfalls too. The organisers, Julie Ingram and Nina Morgan, describe their experiences.
3-D plastic microbiology (p. 20)
Under-funding, under-staffing and large student groups are the realities faced by many who teach group practicals. Linda Tilling and Jeremy Hamilton-Miller explain a novel way to reduce the workload involved in practical microbiology class demonstrations.
