Advertisement Feature Microbiology Research Grade Galleria mellonella TODAY TruLarv™ Galleria mellonella are more cost effective than bait shop larvae G. mellonella have been commercially Increased reproducibility 44:3 August 2017 available as food for captive reptiles and Variability between the responses of individual larvae, birds and as fishing bait, and these larvae and the variability between replicate experiments can M have been widely used in research. Fishing mean that experiments using bait shop larvae need icr o b bait G. mellonella are cheap to buy so here to be repeated many times to obtain a meaningful io lo we explain why TruLarv™ cost more, but result. Independent research has shown that replicate gy T can save you money. experiments using TruLarv™ are significantly more oda y Torru oLtahrevr™ c hceomntiacianl sno antimicrobials, hormones rInepcrreoadsuecdib Pleo twhaenr experiments using bait shop larvae. 4 4 Our decontaminated larvae consistently show no :3 A Prophylactic antibiotics and hormones are usually used deaths in control groups (n=10) injected with PBS, u g u in the breeding of bait shop G. mellonella because they whereas in our comparative studies other groups st 2 markedly increase the colony yield. However, residues of larvae typically show at least one death. Deaths 01 7 oraTernfu pdtLhr omaerdsaveu™k ccini hbageri lemiitt ybidc raiaefnfildsdc ru fserloetm nmoasr ii antimi vsineipt pyoth asoersfa i lbytaeolre uvc artoo eel o xiannpftyfeee mrrcipmtarinieengtnt d attsihan etea d. iessnutxa bptthtieselert iic mcdoaienfl fntpertrooaewll ngpecroreo wtsuh ecparast o n Tcfnra uyonoLt suabirrge vsn ™dtiufie dpcteayro,cn mvtteliyded aer.e n Ttdiohnu egyc o aetuhd trahd tei t ional A r c without antimicrobials, hormones or other chemicals. experiments can make the difference between finding, h a e or missing, an important biological effect. a The increased sensitivity of TruLarv™ to infection, compared with bait shop larvae, likely reflects the absence of antibiotics and hormones. Follow us on Twitter for more information: @_BioSystems Archaea The national centre for the replacement, refinement and reduction of animals (NC3Rs) is now promoting TruLarv™ as an NC3Rs solution through its CRACK IT scheme (https://www.crackit.org.uk/). Archaea and the nitrogen cycle Archaea in activated sludge systems Genome segregation in heat-loving archaea The symbiosis that changed the world biosystemstechnology.com Archaea and CRISPR biology C Widely distributed throughout the body, including CSF1 H Oral levels comparable to i.v. levels2 Rarely implicated with C.diffi cile3,4 L O Effective against serious infections including: R H. infl uenzae1,5 Typhoid1,5 MRSA2 A VRSA6 Neisseria1,5 Legionella1,5 Rickettsia1,5 M C.diffi cile7-10 E. coli1 P Abbreviated Prescribing Information distension, pallid cyanosis, vomiting, progressing to vasomotor collapse, Chloramphenicol Capsules BP 250mg irregular respiration and death within a few hours of the onset of symptoms. H Presentation: Hard Gelatin Capsules. Overdose: Stop chloramphenicol immediately if signs of adverse events Indications: Typhoid fever and life-threatening infections, particularly develop. Treatment is mainly supportive. If an allergy develops, oral those caused by Haemophilus Infl uenzae, where other antibiotics will antihistamines may be used. In severe overdosage e.g. Gray Baby not suffi ce. Syndrome, reduce plasma levels of chloramphenicol rapidly. Resin Posology: For oral administration. haemoperfusion (XAD-4) has been reported to substantially increase Adults and elderly: 50 mg/kg body weight daily in 4 divided doses. For chloramphenicol clearance. severe infections (meningitis, septicaemia), this dose may be doubled Pack size and Price: 60 capsules £377.00 E initially, but must be reduced as soon as clinically possible. Children: Legal Category: POM. Not recommended. Market Authorisation Number: PL17736/0075. Contra-indications: Known hypersensitivity or toxic reaction to Market Authorisation Holder: Chemidex Pharma Limited, 7 Egham chloramphenicol or to any of the excipients. Should not be used Business Village, Crabtree Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 8RB, UK. for the prophylaxis or treatment of minor infections; during active Date of preparation: January 2016. immunisation; in porphyria patients; in patients taking drugs liable to See Chloramphenicol Capsules Summary of Product Characteristics for N depress bone marrow function; during pregnancy, labour or by breast- full prescribing information. feeding mothers. Special warnings and precautions for use: Use only if other treatments Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms are ineffective. Use should be carefully monitored. Reduce dose and and information can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk/ monitor plasma levels in hepatic or renal impairment; in the elderly; and yellowcard. Adverse events should also be reported to in patients concurrently treated with interacting drugs. Interactions: Chloramphenicol prolongs the elimination, increasing the Essential Generics on 01784 477167. I blood levels of drugs including warfarin, phenytoin, sulphonylureas, tolbutamide. Doses of anticonvulsants and anticoagulants may need to References: be adjusted if given concurrently. Complex effects (increased/decreased 1. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. Chloramphenicol. [Online]. plasma levels) requiring monitoring of chloramphenicol plasma levels Available from: http://www.medicinescomplete.com [22nd of have been reported with co-administration of penicillins and rifampicin. November 2016]. 2. Fluit, A.C., Wielders, C.L.C., Verhoef, J., and C Paracetamol prolongs chloramphenicol half-life and concurrent Schmitz, F.J. Epidemiology and susceptibility of 3,051 Staphylococcus administration should be avoided. Chloramphenicol may increase the aureus isolates from 25 university hospitals participating in the Ad plasma levels of calcineurin inhibitors e.g. ciclosporin and tacrolimus. European SENTRY Study. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 2001; 39(10): al EG/CH/NOV/2016/02a BccosoCspinPibEoUirtvSnnreomuhoohyffehrnurarnacd ef epnenmlslrec pabdoelocaidbtgvpdclnulchliterrecrsrelienrirtdyaaoia tetitonseorionravlutmi sgmnnsissibdmnmneitnr rsiesigonpunropbagdasdkc enia,bght ehbtnbll ey tsiekacaeta gspeoen l i.ah. lzssrsareoaln annoacbebo o ,aCb nnritlpsiez vEiinsthcutcohiusdatl l esifoleioldamo.tcepcc iiotfr ,ollLsithntuh yseIi, ranitdynta enpi.lael csrirosgoara ec cem r,te uttxr raw ost s ncsoarlsagaaip ad:wyoauiictpl m nn tthcd lodnniRl chehiidatitefipmnrsrotelriyetu e nolirchngc ivnpa,nvanamotrsi oeigem:aceioth-acscn npnri iiroe tbc Teasitin,titacsinlnsi hii a,cioa dkdotnbsn c erroesthnii,iromluebde,nnc hleeee t dudwli ace ide cmatirutirusidtcrb.oey urnaeaeseegpca olt oncrahncye adem.yolsroreeca a it shs etncdbdma ft irrce o oic an,iedetiy erdnc oxtheaphrd epi wnh ocbinpobaclleluboctroalhraaavsh,e o aeclts srtr,miatae i ee, ara cemeainas geaao nesahmsdp cntdneemapendptz rhutpnis dec tbeoeotpniclet:ihotr spapocpnhc hhg ios neNrrissncy ste,le cn enny soo aeltoec noeatseicieimrkn o shmoxclisa,thmsuiicttl oceoiemnitmlorssreoogaari tl aig ut,es ielhuptanrpoc inu l,irt rbhcyhidspife soase asfiG sdeoyet rphe n wdac,luhc,rrplcnt.oe bit iaoa g peoielinisianddTvy.xnncp srmnrdaahee moooos tstBuilmp ee mcyclrnieeoe sarnaraoacigtfeieeffbb-dhisbnfaf as nyeieleoabiast,ea sccsl tiilo amtv o,tital c miniooi tssd ,yfi m n e ,. 3aBiHw(SAPdCIow2AcBSc1n7.olstlt7.ef09annioei,io, a aos9tl vn208stt C ptlsoBhpnl)Cheiiiehi775loktcmm9cch neoolcare-;;idgsoia:ri ysantu3viia ) det51ipletccldre1n7s.et ,ocri55dmrrdJi ie 1u 3tioorscsFMl((,u( dede2eme2o kofbb.82PnirAe a,ran9. lcu i-),ad oea ddsaAJr 9-:tCcdm3rinmF te i 3,.luiagr)i21fe J ,..sdeuf 4:fsras e,0.s8dfi) du PrK2 au . nn4 .s1hT1ia c1 shu0oe sfud62thi52ie-ui9cfild0ifnslos 95 .lola.0 ree8 sc,y1 lc cne-.C m i0.pWyt41i,e 3lcpPu lhh nto8t;Cp.emaaCe3s.soi ee se;u, utbs,.1i .B em t t gri,I ,r5s2iNl4rKob ag9t srlaeeiLo6L0hi9eiorxiDyd.sltdaclt.t(0n ( io ltiy.i,lhoC7n MLao1ta,7 etd b yaMdleL-t-f o). to aWy8eM a ter:ietff anJtsn .tsso) beciiCo6 -onoJCt :ls cra2tbClAl -.a.oiut l rio4da 0e9hrGosai soscrP,smn0Fec0h.,sa.snl ibat .r r.tV7ato7una5Air Aie etrictH.-ioc Ssolbiine.Tnd,eJ1 redielo iiio.nocaoidatF1ngOno,i uuihftbiu negA .hettmu nPtemd imd y;iAn,h-l1uadg.ci i id.eL nnta5ec Mlns0 dSre-i dw1Crfrrt1.ib.cH.uiHr vooniivl 9 f(oihPimfosHeBorbfi et.1o8fim acemM,shl cir,rci)t2 cettaasc a i:CiVibearhiC;pniac llrzloi daitt e2ooho e tdei7nayilnsi Pe3fibl lol,i:cg( abu oocicrou 1ihnBcagteZ,i5salroglm–o lioil:aenFnycl9imJo ni 2 lstm.eyemJ oAtS-iCni,ypd3yostop 6cn .nhpisB,ii i8cL,natu2c s,tfi teh iiier. mlafiradr.L.inbom eA eo ngb gle7 icJil-8ps.n.stbriaoloaivR o.i oahlio.liilPs Iigetite ech.antEenlctnhPya tia oislnanda 1estic tteo itlson,tstBe,sh s9-:eri o (e mtfacrlio8PsPPWa aeldoep 6laN.inanso fi hnyt; .tretg l.e,agi m , siste e) .r. , OL CPAAIAPHP: :1S C0UH6LL-56E70S906B crobiology Today Essential Generics: Chloramphenic Bleed: 5 mmSupply as hi-res PDFJob no: 01177mm Mi10 ALLIANCE: O65995 al: 7 x 2 n9 MOVIANTO: CHL25060 JourSize: 2 For further information, please contact: Essential Generics, 7 Egham Business Village, Crabtree Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 8RB, UK 01177_Chloramphenicol Ad_Microbiology Today_AW.indd 1 25/11/2016 11:55 E d i t o r i a l Welcome to the August edition of Microbiology Today, and one in which we consider the role of archaea and their impact on microbiology since their reclassification in the 1970s. The Archaea are a fascinating set of microbes that can thrive in unusual environments, including some of the most extreme places on the planet. They can survive in extremes of temperature, pH and pressure, and are found in many places including the deep sea, ure ct Pi volcanoes and within the guts of animals and humans. e ol h W A rchaea have historically been of the role of archaea in the activated has revealed a surprising deep-sea link given a back seat in terms of sludge process. This essential treatment to eukaryotic origins. research and publicity, perhaps of wastewater is relatively affordable CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune because of the generally accepted and produces high-quality effluent. The systems have been the focus of much premise that there are no archaeal activated sludge is known to contain scientific and media attention recently. In pathogens, and so much of the research a majority of bacteria, and the role of this article, Qunxin She and Wenyuan Han has focused on their involvement in archaea, integral within the process, explain how these systems are unevenly methane and ammonia cycling. There are is still incompletely understood. There distributed amongst bacteria, possibly also difficulties associated in culturing is evidence that methanogens and due to the presence and pressure from these microbes in the lab, and as culture- ammonia-oxidising archaea contribute archaeal viruses driving the selection of independent techniques improve, to the activated sludge in a fundamental one or more CRISPR-Cas within archaea. research evolves and more information way, and there is a growing recognition They also discuss how Cas accessory about these microbes emerges. Archaea that more work is needed to understand proteins might modulate the functionality have significant roles in aspects of global the diversity and function of archaea within CRISPR-Cas systems. ecology, and the collection of articles in within activated sludge. James Chong writes the Comment this edition highlights how widespread In our third piece, Daniela Barillà piece, highlighting the hazards (including and successful these organisms are. explains the importance of genome explosions) that can be associated with Our first piece, written by Graeme segregation in archaea that thrive in working with archaea. He ponders why Nicol, gives an insight into the role temperatures of over 80 °C. Building on there are no archaeal pathogens, and of archaea in the nitrogen cycle. The work from archaeal pioneer Wolfram the answer suggests there may be many presence of large numbers of ammonia- Zillig, researchers are now discovering complexities at play. Evidence proposes oxidising archaea in oceans and soils new information on the roles of both that archaea could be functioning as has shifted global understanding chromosome segregation and three- opportunistic pathogens in a range of how nitrification works. Graeme component plasmid segregation of health conditions. As in so many discusses how the application of fertiliser machinery, relevant to all life on Earth. microbiological studies, the analytical during the 20th century has led to an Laura Eme and Thijs Ettema pose methods employed may have, until accelerated nitrogen cycle, causing the question of archaeal involvement in recently, given a skewed picture. Improved damage to the environment. He then eukaryotic evolution. Did chloroplasts and techniques could lead to new questions outlines how ammonia-oxidising archaea mitochondria arise from endosymbiosis about the status of these microbes. could be utilised to alleviate some of between plants, cyanobacteria these pollution problems. and alphaproteobacteria? Or did Rowena Jenkins The second article has been fusion between an archaeon and an Editor contributed by Marta Filipa Simões and alphaproteobacterium lead to eukaryotic [email protected] André Antunes, and provides details cells? The availability of sequence data Microbiology Today Aug 17 | www.microbiologysociety.org 97 C o n t e n t s Microbiology TODAY Articles 106 Archaea and the nitrogen cycle Graeme Nicol The important role of archaea in a global context. 110 Archaea in activated sludge systems Marta Filipa Simões and André Antunes The phylogenetic and functional diversity in wastewater. 114 Genome segregation in heat-loving archaea Daniela Barillà Intriguing perspectives on genome segregation. 118 The symbiosis that changed the world Laura Eme and Thijs J. G. Ettema Our microbial history revealed. 122 Archaea and CRISPR biology Qunxin She and Wenyuan Han An adaptive immune system found in archaea. 44:3 August 2017 Features Regulars 130 Microbiology Society strategy changes 97 Editorial Responding to feedback and the launch of a new strategy. 100 Council 2017 101 From the President 131 Good news: 102 From the Chief Executive the Member Directory is coming 103 News An online directory for members. 126 Annual Conference 132 Publishing 128 Focused Meetings The latest on the Society’s publishing activities. 142 Reviews 134 Outreach Editor Rowena Jenkins Managing Editor Ruth Paget Information on Antibiotics Unearthed and TeaTime Science. Editorial Board David Bhella, Helen Brown, Emma Denham, Lorena Fernández-Martínez, Rebecca Hall, Freya Harrison, James Redfern, 136 Policy – Infection diagnosis in the UK Alison Sinclair, Nicola Stonehouse Address Microbiology Society, Charles Darwin House, 12 Roger Street, UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations guidelines. London WC1N 2JU T +44 (0)20 7685 2683 E [email protected] Design Ian Atherton, Corbicula Design (www.corbiculadesign.co.uk) 137 ECM Forum update – Printed by Charlesworth Press, Wakefield Conference highlights and prize winners © 2017 Microbiology Society ISSN 1464-0570 Rebecca Hall gives us an overview of ECM activities. The views expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect official policy of the Society; nor can the claims of advertisers be guaranteed. 138 Schoolzone – Meet the Microbes Society member Naomi Osborne’s fun e-book. FSC Logo 140 Membership Q&A Introducing Adrindam Mitra from Adamas University. Cover: Cold-loving archaea. Coloured transmission electron micrograph of a section through the archaeon Methanococcoides burtonii. The cell walls 143 Comment – appear red, while the granular cell contents include scattered genetic Archaea: closet pathogens? material. These psychrophilic (cold-loving) archaea were discovered in 1992 in Ace Lake, Antarctica, and can survive in temperatures as low as –2.5 °C. James Chong As methanogenic microbes, they are able to form methane from carbon Why are there no known archaeal pathogens? dioxide and hydrogen. Dr M. Rohde, GBF/Science Photo Library Council 2017 Executive Officers President – Professor Neil Gow School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Polwarth Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD; [email protected] General Secretary – Professor Maggie Smith Department of Biology, Wentworth Way, University of York, York YO10 5DD; [email protected] Treasurer – Professor Christopher Morton Thomas School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT; [email protected] Chairs of Committees Communications Committee – Dr David Bhella MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Sir Michael Stoker Building, Garscube Campus, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH; [email protected] Early Career Microbiologists’ Forum Executive Committee – Dr Helen Brown School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XY Finance and Operations Committee – Professor Christopher Morton Thomas See ‘Treasurer’ above Policy Committee – Dr Pat Goodwin c/o Microbiology Society, Charles Darwin House, 12 Roger Street, London WC1N 2JU Professional Development Committee – Dr David Whitworth Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences Room S22, Cledwyn Building, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion SY23 3FG; [email protected] Publishing Committee – Professor Charles Dorman Department of Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland; [email protected] Scientific Conferences Committee – Dr Karen Robinson Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD Elected Members Professor Paul Kellam Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, St Mary’s Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG; & Kymab Ltd; [email protected] Professor Stephen Oliver Cambridge Systems Biology Centre & Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Sanger Building, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA Professor David Pearce Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Northumbria at Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST; [email protected] Professor George Salmond Department of Biochemistry, Hopkins Building, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW Dr Mike Skinner Section of Virology, Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, St Mary’s Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG; [email protected] Professor Nicola Stonehouse School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT; [email protected] 100 Microbiology Today Aug 17 | www.microbiologysociety.org From the President The age of the earliest origins of (microbial) life on Earth extend to at least four billion years ago. There is renewed debate on exactly how and when the three major extant groups of life forms on Earth (bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes) evolved and diverged. B ut, whatever the consensus major divisions of life. We used to was interesting was that expression emerges, it is clear that all of life think of these organisms as being of these ancient thioredoxin proteins is microbiological in origin and all restricted to the more extreme could, to a greater or lesser extent, plants and animals depend on microbial environments and ecosystems. While render modern E. coli phage-immune. collaborations and endosymbiosis for it is true that these organisms include The reason for mentioning this is that their existence. This issue celebrates notable thermophilic and halotolerant the study of ancient microbes, and the the Archaea – one of the three basic cell species (see the review on thermophilic understanding of how they evolved types on Earth, and one perhaps that few archaea by Daniela Barillà), it has turned into modern ones, might provide novel members of the general public will have out that archaea are very much more insights and opportunities to develop ever heard of. widely distributed than first thought. desirable properties, such as virus The late Carl Woese, a pioneer of The importance of these organisms in resistance in plants and animals. 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing, was many guises is set out in this issue. See, Archaea are one such group of microbes first to recognise the distinction between for example, the articles by Graeme that have not been fully explored in terms the Archaea and other prokaryotes, Nicol describing the contributions that of their ecology and utility. publishing the seminal paper on this archaea make to soil nitrification and Elsewhere in this issue you can topic in 1977. Therefore, Woese revealed other aspects of the nitrogen cycle, and catch up on Microbiology Society a new view of the world showing that to the biodegradation of sewage (article news, with an overview by Laura Crick the basic arrangement and evolution of by Marta Filipa Simões and André on conferences and meetings and life forms on Earth comes from three Antunes). There is also an interesting information about the new Membership basic microbial prototypes. This refined account of how the CRISPR-Cas system Directory from Paul Easton. The Early and extended the previous paradigm is linked to archaea (article by Qunxin Career Microbiologists’ Forum is now published in 1962 by Roger Stanier and She and Wenyuan Han). Please also read gearing up and has quickly become C. B. van Niel who first established the the commentary by James Chong on the integrated into the central machination division of prokaryotes and eukaryotes apparent absence of pathogenic archaeal of the Microbiology Society (see article based in part on whether they had a species. by Rebecca Hall). There are other Society membrane-bound nucleus. Although we I wonder if you read the recent updates from Benjamin Thompson, and have only known of their very existence article in Cell Reports by Asuncion also Hannah Forrest with information for less than 40 years, it is clear that the Delgado from Jose Sanchez-Ruiz’s lab, on schools activities and the Antibiotics Archaea are an ancient and fascinating who showed that a ‘fossil’ bacterial Unearthed project. independent group of organisms (see in protein (thioredoxin) could be expressed this issue the article on p. 118 by Laura in a contemporary bacterium (Escherichia Neil Gow Eme and Thijs Ettema). coli) and modify its properties. President This issue rightly celebrates the Bacteriophages need to recruit this redox [email protected] Archaea as the least well known of the protein for their replication, and what Microbiology Today Aug 17 | www.microbiologysociety.org 101 From the Chief Executive It has been a great privilege to attend a number of meetings in Ireland over the past few months, where I have seen some of the fascinating work being carried out by Microbiology Society members there. In Belfast, Dublin, Wexford, Cork and Kildare, there has been some amazing microbiology on display, and it has been shared in a community that gets the best out of its members by being supportive and friendly. I n May, it was a real pleasure to visit was organised by a long-time member sense of community. The Society’s Irish Johnstown Castle in County Wexford, of the Society, John McGrath, together Division has a long history of organising one of the homes of Teagasc – the with Katrina Macintosh, Jason Chin, meetings that are not just scientifically Agriculture and Food Development John Quinn and Vincent O’Flaherty, who stimulating, but which also make an Authority. Society member Fiona is Chair of the Society’s Irish Division. effort to support early career members. Brennan organised a stimulating There was a great range of offered Members in Ireland routinely attend workshop on harnessing the power of papers from Ireland and further afield, meetings on subjects that are a long plant and soil microbiomes. As well as and it was wonderful to learn more about way from their own research interests, scientists, the event was attended by the diverse roles played by microbes in because they feel part of a vibrant and policy-makers and funders from Science agricultural systems. supportive community. Foundation Ireland, the Department The 33rd International Specialised We are a Society of communities, and of Agriculture and the Environment Symposium on Yeast (ISSY33) was those communities can be taxonomically Protection Agency. It was great to be able organised under the auspices of the defined – like the Virology, Prokaryotic to present the emerging findings from International Commission on Yeasts, with and Eukaryotic Divisions – or defined the Microbiology Society’s policy report the support of the Microbiology Society. by career stage like the Early Career on microbiomes, ahead of the main It was held in June at University College Microbiologists’ Forum, or by other report’s publication in the autumn. Cork, the home of its driving force – John interests, like the Policy Committee. The Then, in June, I had enormous fun Morrissey – who is Chair of the Society’s Irish Division is the only geographically at University College Dublin, where PhD Eukaryotic Division. It explored the ways based group of members the Society students in the School of Biology and in which yeasts can be used for industrial has. But when we consulted you recently Environmental Science presented their applications, and included a keynote as Council prepares a new five-year work at the annual Seminar Day. The lecture from Steve Oliver, a member of strategy, there was a strong sense from postgraduate representatives – Tamsin, the Society’s Council, on how yeasts can the members that you want us to do Sam and Laura – kindly asked me to be used as a model of human diseases. more at a local level. be one of the judges. The winner of the And very soon, I will be back in I am very keen to hear from you Carmel Humphries Memorial Medal Ireland for another of the Society’s about what this means to you, and how was Maeve Long, whose work on the Focused Meetings at Maynooth in County the Society can connect and empower endomembrane system referred to Kildare, on Antimicrobial Resistance your local community in the way the Irish Shigella toxin and was both fascinating and One Health. Organised by Fiona Division does so effectively. and impressive. Walsh and Thuy Thi Do, it has a lot to live Later in the month, the first of the up to after the success of all the other Peter Cotgreave Society’s Focused Meetings for 2017 was meetings! Chief Executive held in Belfast, on Microbial Resources One of the things that always strikes [email protected] for Agricultural and Food Security. It me when I visit members in Ireland is the 102 Microbiology Today Aug 17 | www.microbiologysociety.org News Policy briefing: Annual Conference 2018 Antimicrobial Our full exhibition and sponsorship packages for Resistance Annual Conference 2018 can now be found online. We have a number of opportunities with a range of prices The latest in the Society’s series to suit all budgets, but stand space is limited so contact of short policy briefings focuses us as soon as possible to reserve your preferred area. on the topic of Antimicrobial Remember to note in your diaries that Annual Resistance (AMR). The briefing Conference 2018 will differ from previous years and was sent to policy-makers in takes place from Tuesday 10 April to Friday 13 April – the UK and Ireland, and sets out don’t forget when booking travel and accommodation. the key issues around AMR and Read more about Annual Conference 2018 on the actions needed to mitigate page 126. it. You can download it here: www.microbiologysociety.org/ briefings Focused Meetings 2017 Thank you to those who attended, presented and spoke at our two ICC Birmingham Focused Meetings that took place in June this year – ISSY33 and Microbial Resources for Agricultural and Food Security. These two Support for your invited speaker costs successful meetings brought together like-minded researchers, and were only the first of a busy Focused Meetings programme for 2017. Our Society-Supported Conference Grants can cover Find out more about what’s still to come on page 128. speaker costs at your microbiological event for up to £2,000. This grant can be used towards the cost of accommodation and travel. Round 1 of our 2018 awards closes on 15 December 2017. Details can be found online: www.microbiologysociety.org/ SSconferencegrants Deaths It is with great sadness that the Society announces the passing of one of our members, Professor Martin Allday, who was internationally renowned for his work Society Champion activities on the biology of the Epstein–Barr virus. Professor Allday joined the Society in 1982. Our Champions have been busy organising events in their Please contact [email protected] if local areas – find out more about what they’ve been up to at you wish to notify the Society of the death of a member www.microbiologysociety.org/champions whose details can be included in this section. Microbiology Today Aug 17 | www.microbiologysociety.org 103 Grant deadlines Date Grant 1 September 2017 Travel Grants – for eligible members wishing to present at conferences or attend training events on or after 1 October. Careers Conference Grant – to support Undergraduate Student Members wishing to attend the Royal Society of Biology Biosciences Careers Festival. 30 September 2017 ECM Forum Event Fund – for ECM members requiring sponsorship for local events. 1 October 2017 Education and Outreach Grants – for eligible members requiring support for projects to communicate or teach microbiology. Research Visit Grants – for eligible members wishing to make a research visit to a collaborator. International Development Fund – for eligible members wishing to contribute to the development of microbiology in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Volunteers for Glasgow Antibiotics Unearthed pop-up event The Antibiotics Unearthed team will be at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens on Thursday 7 September 2017 with our interactive pop-up stand, and we are looking for volunteers to help out. The stand will include a variety of hands-on activities for visitors to engage with the issue of antimicrobial resistance and drug discovery. Members of the public are encouraged to collect a soil sample and prepare it for scientific analysis at the pop-up. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Antibiotics Unearthed team at [email protected] Antibiotics Unearthed events in 2015 and 2016. 104 Microbiology Today Aug 17 | www.microbiologysociety.org