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For over a century, the cornerstone of modern medicine has been a simple yet profound truth: cleanliness saves lives. Infection control is not merely a hospital policy; it is the fundamental shield that allows complex surgeries and life-saving treatments to occur safely. However, as we move further into the 21st century, we are discovering that this shield is being challenged by the very nature of the microbial world we inhabit. 

Researchers at the University of Sheffield, UK, have created acclimatised communities of environmental bacteria and algae that can biodegrade toxic organic chemicals in industrial waste streams.

In October 2021, Microbial Genomics published an Editorial discussing parachute research and the barriers LMIC researchers face.

“Everyone can make a difference!” urge microbiologists after developing a new approach that could reduce their laboratory’s plastic waste by over 500kg a year.   The group, based at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, developed an approach to reduce plastic waste produced by their lab. They have shared their approach in the journal Access Microbiology, with the hope that other labs will follow suit.

Today, at the Microbiology Society’s Annual Conference in Liverpool, scientists will show that the foam made by Trinidadian frogs represents a new, non-toxic antibiotic delivery system that may help to prevent infections.

A by-product of biofuel manufacture can power microbial fuel cells to generate electricity cheaply and efficiently, according to scientists presenting their work at the Society for General Microbiology’s Autumn Conference. The work could help develop self-powered devices that would depollute waste water and be used to survey weather in extreme environments.

A novel antimicrobial catheter that remains infection-free for up to twelve weeks could dramatically improve the lives of long-term catheter users. The scientists who have developed the new technology are presenting their work at the Society for General Microbiology’s Autumn Conference at the University of Warwick.

Herbal preparations of thyme could be more effective at treating skin acne than prescription creams, according to research presented at the Society for General Microbiology’s Spring Conference in Dublin this week. Further clinical testing could lead to an effective, gentler treatment for the skin condition.