Microbe

August 2010 Y The News Magazine of the American Society for Microbiology Y Vol. 5 Y No. 8

Features
Molecular Diagnostics and
Hidden ␤-Lactamases
N ␧-Lysine Acetylation
Control Conserved in All
Three Life Domains

ASM News
THIRD EDITION
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Microbe
VOLUME 5, NUMBER 8 CODEN ASMBO 5 (8) 324 –366 (2010) ISSN: 1558-7452

FEATURES

333 Molecular Diagnostics Could Help in Coping with Hidden ␤-Lactamases

Nancy D. Hanson
By adopting molecular tests, clinical laboratories will do better at detecting
antimicrobial resistance, guiding treatment choices

340 N ␧-Lysine Acetylation Control Conserved in All Three Life Domains

Jorge C. Escalante-Semerena
The relative simplicity of studying microbes could prove critical for
understanding this posttranslational modification system

CURRENT TOPICS

324 APL Prize for Device Yielding Fast Antibiotic Resistance Readouts
324 Chaotropic Agents Enable Microbes To Withstand Extreme Cold
325 Siderophores Shed Light on the “Great Plate Count Anomaly”
326 Synthetic, Transplanted Genome Directs New Host Cell
327 Microbiology Meets, Might Succumb to, Analytic Nanotechnology
328 Role for Microbes in Coping with Gulf Oil Spill
328 Shift in Fungal Pathogen Could Be Key to Bee Colony Collapse
329 Odds and Ends from the 2010 ASM General Meeting
329 Peroxisomes Mount First-Line Antiviral Defense

DEPARTMENTS

331 Public Affairs Report

346 Journal Highlights
360 Reviews and Resources
361 Application Deadlines
362 Calendar Cover: Scanning electron micro-
363 Employment graph of Candida albicans. C.
albicans can be a benign inhab-
366 Small Things Considered itant of the human digestive
tract or an invasive pathogen;
researchers exploring the sur-
face proteins of this yeast find
that both types express many of
the same surface proteins (see
p. 346). (Image 姝 David M. Phil-
lips/Photo Researchers, Inc.)

Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010

 ASM News Microbe
Editor in Chief: Contributing Editor:
348 Scripps Milestone in Microbiology Site • sanofi-
Michael I. Goldberg Bernard Dixon
aventis ICAAC Award • 2010 ICAAC Young mgoldberg@asmusa.org ASM Features Editor:
Investigator Awards Managing Editor: Barbara Hyde
353 Divisions Patrick N. Lacey bhyde@asmusa.org
353 Education Board placey@asmusa.org James Sliwa
Current Topics and jsliwa@asmusa.org
354 International Affairs Features Editor: Journal Highlights Editor:
357 Branches: ASM Activities at the Local Level Jeffrey L. Fox David Holzman
359 Membership jfox@asmusa.org dcholzman@aol.com
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Massachusetts General Hospital
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Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 /Microbe

Current Topics
APL Prize for Device
Yielding Fast Antibiotic
Resistance Readouts
Five researchers at the Johns Hopkins
Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) re-
ceived the APL invention of the year
award for their device that can rapidly
identify whether microbial pathogens
are resistant to antibiotics. The pro-
totype isoMS-drug-array depends on
proprietary algorithms to interpret
results of stable isotope mass spec-
trometry (MS) analyses. Once refined,
this analytic package could be used
for forensic purposes in homeland de-
fense settings, in clinical microbiology
laboratories, and for research and
development of antimicrobial drugs,
according to Plamen Demirev of
APL and his fellow awardees Miquel
Antoine, Andrew Feldman, Nathan
Hagan, and Jeffrey Lin.
The isoMS-drug-array prototype
builds on several earlier APL devel-
opments, particularly the chemical-
biological, time-of-flight (CB-TOF)
system that analyzes suspicious “white
powders” to determine whether they
contain Bacillus anthracis spores. This
earlier analytic system was developed
for the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, Demirev notes.
The newer isoMS-drug-array anal-
ysis begins with investigators growing
an unidentified microorganism in a
medium that is enriched with nutrients
containing the nonradioactive iso-
tope carbon-13, according to Demirev.
As the bacteria grow, they incorporate
the heavier isotope into any carbon-
containing molecules being synthe-
sized, leading to a shift in molecular
mass.
324 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
“If we observe such a shift when
examining a microorganism in a la-
beled medium when a drug is pres-
ent, this means that the drug is not
affecting the growth of that micro-
organism,” Demirev says. Meanwhile,
the matrix-assisted laser desorption-
ionization (MALDI)-MS signature
can be used to identify a broad variety
of biological agents, including viruses,
bacteria, spores, and fungi, Demirev
points out. The TOF for each ion cor-
relates with its mass, resulting in a
characteristic mass spectrum for each
organism.
“Let’s say you have Bacillus
spores,” Demirev says. “The identifi-
cation can be done directly within 30
minutes using our technology that in-
cludes hardware, protocols, and algo-
rithms, based on predicted and ob-
served signatures for Bacillus spores.
At the same time, with part of the
sample one can start the growth pro-
tocol and within five hours we can
confirm (or refute) the identification,
depending on whether we observe the
predicted signature for the vegetative
cells.”
“The novelty and innovation of
this technology lies not so much in its
ability to rapidly identify unknown
microorganisms, but rather in its abil-
ity to rapidly determine whether an
unknown or uncharacterized microbe
is antibiotic resistant,” says Todd San-
drin of Arizona State University in
Phoenix, who also uses MALDI-TOF
to fingerprint bacterial species, includ-
ing Escherichia coli and Enterococcus.
Describing the use of stable isotopes
to determine antibiotic resistance
“intriguing,” he says that the APL
approach could face “more limited
utility” when it comes to analyzing
“slowly growing and difficult-to-
culture microorganisms.”
The unit cost for each isoMS-drug-
array test could be as low as $10,
according to Demirev. However, that
unit estimate comes after an initial
investment of as much as $175,000
for a suite of instruments, including a
commercial MS, APL-designed hard-
ware, an automated prep station, pro-
tocols, and software.
This analytic system could also be
mounted inside a vehicle for a first-
response team to use on site. How-
ever, the next phase of development
will depend on the APL Technology
Transfer Office finding an appropriate
partner in the private sector. More-
over, Demirev notes, “Clinical appli-
cations will require Food and Drug
Administration approval, which means
much more work to test and optimize
protocols.”
Barry E. DiGregorio
Barry E. DiGregorio is a freelance writer in
Middleport, N.Y.
Chaotropic Agents Enable
Microbes To Withstand
Extreme Cold
Chaotropes, which ordinarily disrupt
macromolecules, apparently enhance
the survival of microorganisms that
are subjected to extreme cold, accord-
ing to John Hallsworth of Queen’s
University of Belfast in Belfast, North-
ern Ireland, and his collaborators.
“The Earth’s biosphere may be more
extensive than we previously thought
because organisms may be able to
function in places previously thought
to be too cold,” he says. The findings
also support the continuing search

Glacier colored by green and red algae in Antarctica. The growth of algae and other
microorganisms in very cold conditions is aided by chaotropes, which ordinarily disrupt
macromolecules but which enhance survival of microbes even at temperatures well below the
freezing point of water. (Photo © Getty Images/John Eastcott and Yva Momatiuk.)
for extraterrestrial life, including on
Mars and Europa, he and his col-
leagues note. Their report appears in
the April 27, 2010, Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences (107:
7835–7840).
Chaotropes comprise a diverse set
of structurally disruptive compounds
that includes ethanol, urea, fructose,
salts such as magnesium chloride,
and aromatic agents such as phenol.
They work by interfering with non-
covalent bonds and find use in labs
during purifications and analyses of
macromolecules.
At lower temperatures, because chao-
tropes disrupt noncovalent interactions
among macromolecules, their presence
tends to enliven metabolic activities that
would otherwise remain sluggish. For
example, sea-ice algae withstand
⫺20°C and very high levels of sodium
chloride, according to microbial ecolo-
gist Graham Underwood of the Univer-
sity of Essex in Essex, England.
Cold can be a double whammy
for prokaryotes, Hallsworth says. Al-
though high solute concentrations
keep water from freezing once it
reaches 0°C, high solute itself is excep-
tionally stressful to microbes. Chao-
tropes, however, can loosen cellular
structures that ordinarily stiffen with
falling temperatures. “I wondered
whether and how such cells would be
able to use the solute activities of en-
vironmental substances or their own
metabolites to enhance their meta-
bolic activities at otherwise prohibi-
tively low temperatures, he says.
Hallsworth, Underwood, and their
collaborators screened cold-tolerant
algae, fungi, and bacteria for solute
tolerance, screened a set of 161 solute-
tolerant fungi for low-temperature
tolerance, and then cultured the mi-
crobes with the highest combined
solute-and-low-temperature tolerance
on growth media supplemented ei-
ther with chaotropes or with their
functional opposites, macromolecule-
stabilizing compounds, called kosmo-
tropes.
At temperatures near 0°C, microbial
colonies on media containing kosmo-
tropes stopped growing, whereas media
with chaotropes enhanced microbial
growth and survival. “Microbial cells
may preferentially synthesize and accu-
mulate chaotropic metabolites . . . to
retain activity in the cold,” Hallsworth
adds. Further, spores treated with chao-
tropes outsurvived untreated spores
when held at ⫺80°C.
The study breaks new ground, says
Rocco Mancinelli of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion. “The environments in which or-
ganisms live are extremely important
in defining the limits in which they can
survive, compared with standard lab-
oratory studies.” Moreover, he adds,
changes in environments can drasti-
cally change organisms within them,
a generalization that carries major
implications for carbon and nitrogen
cycling on Earth.
David C. Holzman
David C. Holzman is the Microbe Journal
Highlights Editor.
Siderophores Shed Light
on the “Great Plate
Count Anomaly”
Missing siderophores may account for
why microbiologists can culture only
about 1% of the microorganisms that
they collect from diverse environ-
ments, according to Kim Lewis of
Northeastern University and his col-
laborators there and at nearby Har-
vard Medical School, both in Boston,
Mass. Without siderophores to bind
iron for them, these microorganisms
fail to grow in the lab despite being
bathed in nutrients. If this explanation
holds up, it should enable microbiolo-
gists to overcome what some of them
call the “great plate count anomaly”
and to learn a great deal more about
countless recalcitrant species that
were set aside as “nongrowers.” The
work appeared in the March 26, 2010
Chemistry & Biology.
Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 325
 Uncultured microorganisms from
marine biofilms can be coaxed to grow
when they are exposed to natural ma-
rine sediment or other bacterial species
from the same environment. The re-
search team suspected that some type
of natural diffusible molecule stimu-
lates this syntrophy among marine
microbes.
The researchers inoculated the un-
cultured isolate Marinbacter polysi-
phoniae KLE1104 with strains of
Escherichia coli containing deletions
for various growth factors to iden-
tify metabolites that promote growth.
From among three likely candidates—
the siderophore enterobactin, the
universal quorum sensing factor AI-2,
and an autoinducer indole— only the
strain missing enterobactin fails to
induce growth. “We had no idea what
the growth factor would be, and
we got lucky using our knockout col-
lection of E. coli mutants,” says
study leader Kim Lewis, director of
Northeastern’s Antimicrobial Discov-
ery Center.
Lewis’ team also discovered that
another strain, Micrococcus luteus
KLE1011, is a potent natural helper
that promotes the growth of M. poly-
siphoniae KLE1104 and other uncul-
tured strains in the laboratory. They
purified five novel siderophores in me-
dia collected from cultures of M. lu-
teus KLE1011. These newly identi-
fied siderophores belong to the des-
ferrioxamine class of iron-binding
agents, and they all have flanking acyl
side chains that make them very hy-
drophobic. Their unusual chemical
structure “probably helps them stay
within the biofilm, and they do not
easily leak out into the open ocean,”
Lewis says. Moreover, the five new
siderophores individually induce the
growth of uncultured M. polpolysi-
phoniae KLE1104, confirming their
role as factors that aid the growth of
uncultured bacteria.
The importance of siderophores
was further explored by screening un-
326 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
cultured bacterial strains induced by
M. luteus KLE1011 in marine envi-
ronmental biofilms. Six isolates were
selected that prove particularly de-
pendent on M. luteus KLE1101 for
growth. The six isolates and M. poly-
siphoniae KLE1104 were treated
with 20 commercial siderophores,
representing different chemical classes,
such as phenols/catechols and oxa-
zolines/thiazolines. The different un-
cultured bacterial strains, including
Cyclobacterium, Sulfitobacter, and
Bacteroidetes, show distinctly differ-
ent patterns of siderophore depen-
dence. Some siderophores universally
induce growth, whereas others act
more specifically. The results suggest
that siderophores show wide varia-
tions in their preference for aiding
growth of uncultured isolates.
The multitude of uncultured mi-
crobes likely will require other yet-
undiscovered factors to stimulate
growth. Nonetheless, siderophores
are a first important step towards
solving the 100-year-old mystery of
the great plate count anomaly. “It
gives us a tool to access biodiversity
that has been hidden from us,” says
Lewis, thus allowing exploration of
unknown bacterial metabolites, such
as much-needed novel antibiotics.
“Improving our ability to culture dif-
ficult micoorganisms promises to in-
crease our understanding of them and
verify that bacteria detected indirectly
using gene sequencing techniques are
truly present in particular environ-
ments,” says Garth James, medical
projects manager at the Center for Bio-
film Engineering at Montana State Uni-
versity, Bozeman. For example, 16S
rRNA data indicate that chronic
wounds contain diverse bacteria that
cannot be cultured. “It would not sur-
prise me,” says Garth, “to find sid-
erophore-based syntrophy in wounds
and across the human microbiome.”
Carol Potera
Carol Potera is a freelance writer in Great
Falls, Mont.
Highlights from 2010 ASM
General Meeting
Synthetic, Transplanted
Genome Directs New
Host Cell
A synthetic and slightly streamlined
version of the Mycoplasma mycoides
genome, consisting of about 1.08 mil-
lion base pairs, worked fine and took
over the genetic controls after being
transplanted into a similar but distinct
host cell, Mycoplasma capricolum, ac-
cording to Clyde Hutchison from the
J. Craig Venter Institute, San Diego,
Calif. He spoke during the colloquium
“Engineering a Better Bacterium,”
held during the 110th ASM General
Meeting last May in San Diego, Calif.
The synthetic genome, which omits
14 “dispensable” genes that are found
in the natural version of the M. my-
coides genome, also carries slight
changes, or “watermarks,” to make it
readily distinguishable from that na-
tive version, Hutchison says. Assem-
bled in step-wise fashion, the gargan-
tuan piece of DNA is eased into the
recipient cell with assistance from
polyethylene glycol (PEG) in a step
that is nearly as inefficient as it is
mechanistically inscrutable. PEG
“may cause cell membranes to fuse,”
he says, “but we don’t know how to
study this step.” Thus, the genome
“transplantation” from one cell into
another remains a “rare event.”
Nonetheless, the recipient cells con-
taining the synthetic genome are
“happy,” and even grow slightly
“faster than the reference strain,”
Hutchison continues. Having cells un-
questionably under control of syn-
thetic DNA speaks to the “main inter-
est” of the Venter group, namely to try
to understand what genes are essential
for life and, down the road, develop a
model to predict how “subsets of
genes affect cell behavior.” Eventu-
ally, the research group would like to
do away with recipient host cells and
perhaps assemble living cells from their
component parts, but that undertaking
is not yet tractable.
In terms of safety and ethics, some
researchers see these results as “falling
along a continuum,” says Jeffrey
Miller of the University of California,
Los Angeles, who cochaired the collo-
quium. “We crossed this Rubicon in
the 1970s,” he adds, referring to other
developments in microbiology and
molecular biology that enabled, for
example, the full synthesis of viral ge-
nomes and the ever-widening use of
recombinant-DNA techniques to
modify the genetics and physiologic
properties of many different types of
microorganisms (as well as plants and
animals).
In terms of safety, there are “two
classes of issues,” one involving in-
advertent risks that develop despite
“good intent” and the other is de-
liberate misuse, Hutchison says. In
terms of the former, “there is no dif-
ference from traditional genetic engi-
neering.” As for the latter, “aside
from toxins, we don’t know how to
design something really novel, but
there are people thinking about this
problem,” he adds, alluding to the
National Science Advisory Board for
Biosecurity, whose mandate is to safe-
guard potential dual-use research of
this sort.
Scientists working in this field as
well as ethicists who follow it closely
are weighing in with an array of opin-
ions about reaching this milestone.
For instance, some critics complain
about the Venter Institute seeking pat-
ents to cover commercial rights for
this research, saying they could impair
progress in the field. Meanwhile, some
ethicists express enthusiasm for the
progress being made, while others, in-
cluding Vatican representatives, urge
caution. Amid these responses, Presi-
dent Obama asked the members of his
recently revamped Presidential Com-
mission for the Study of Bioethical
Issues to put synthetic biology at the
top of its agenda item. The commis-
FDA Urged To Consolidate Food Safety
Efforts and Make them Risk-based
In dealing with its food safety responsibilities, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration “should implement a risk-based approach,” and also
should move away from a long-established “piecemeal approach to
gathering and using information on risks,” according to a report issued
last June by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and National Research
Council (NRC) in Washington, D.C. The report also calls on the
federal government to “establish a centralized food safety data center
to . . . conduct rapid, sophisticated assessments of food safety risks and
appropriate policy interventions.” Further, FDA should consider dele-
gating food inspection responsibilities to the states while setting na-
tional standards for such activities, according to the report. “Our
report’s recommendations aim to help FDA achieve a comprehensive
vision for proactively protecting against threats to the nation’s food
supply,” says IOM-NRC committee chair Robert Wallace of the Col-
lege of Public Health at the University of Iowa, Iowa City. “Foodborne
diseases cause significant suffering, so it’s imperative that our food
safety system functions effectively at all levels.” The report, “Enhanc-
ing Food Safety: The Role of the Food and Drug Administration,” is
available at http://www.nap.edu.
sion report on this subject is due some- culture, he says. Quake spoke during
time before the end of this year. the opening session, “Technology and
Jeffrey L. Fox Revolutions in Microbiology,” of the
Jeffrey L. Fox is the Microbe Current 110th ASM General Meeting last May
Topics and Features Editor. in San Diego.
One striking trait is Quake’s
pride in boasting about how small his
Microbiology Meets, work scale, and that of others in the
Might Succumb to, field, is becoming. For instance, he
Analytic Nanotechnology says, “nanoliter performs better than
microliter” for those analyzing single
Microfluidics, lithographic fabrica- copies of microbial genomes, explain-
tions processes, and nanotechnology ing that the smaller scale of the ana-
are major new analytical components lytic vessels “lowers contamination
that are helping to change how scien- and restricts side reactions.” Even so,
tists study microorganisms, some- in some cases that shrunken frame-
times enabling the study of individual work is considered too voluminous,
cells instead of massive numbers of leading some researchers to resort to
cells, according to Steven Quake of “using a laser trap to isolate single
Stanford University in Palo Alto, cells,” he continues. Once trapped, in-
Calif. These analytic tools, in turn, are dividual cells can be “moved into a
enabling researchers to address ques- clean part of a microfluidic device,
tions that were beyond the scope of where there is no ‘background’
conventional microbiology and al- DNA.” The cells remain undamaged
ready are illuminating the “dark mat- during this procedure through use of a
ter” of microbiology, namely those trapping laser that works in the infra-
species that so far cannot be grown in red range.
Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 327
 Another noteworthy example of mi-
crobiology analysis on this shrunken
scale points to some of the unusual chal-
lenges that may arise. Thus, adapt-
ing a chemostat to work on the mi-
crofluidic scale forced investigators to
confront the impact of biofilms that
formed along the walls of these tiny
vessels, Quake says. In a traditional che-
mostat, the bulk cell population gener-
ally overshadows biofilm effects. On a
nanoscale, however, the biofilm effects
can dominate. Overcoming this chal-
lenge took a “plumbing solution,” he
says. The overall device is designed to
permit periodic scrubbing of biofilm-
laden chambers with lysing buffers,
while moving the planktonic growers
elsewhere. Such relatively mundane ma-
neuvers “extend the active lifetime of
the device.”
Jeffrey L. Fox
Role for Microbes in
Coping with Gulf Oil Spill
Amid anguish and anger over the mas-
sive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico—
particularly its destructive impact on
that ecosystem—indigenous microor-
ganisms will slowly but relentlessly play
a major role in degrading much of that
oil and helping to restore the equilib-
rium of that region, according to Jay
Grimes of the University of Southern
Mississippi in Hattiesburg and Ronald
Atlas of the University of Louisville in
Louisville, Kentucky, who spoke during
a special session about the oil spill dur-
ing the 110th ASM General Meeting
last May in San Diego.
“Microorganisms consume many
but not all the components in crude oil,
but it’s not an instantaneous process,”
Atlas says. “However, we’re better off
to clean it up physically than waiting for
the microbes.” In general, the hydrocar-
bon fractions in oil are degraded to car-
bon dioxide and water, while producing
proteins and other macromolecules for
the organisms. Less in the way of micro-
bial decomposition happens to the more
328 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
polar fractions in crude oil. And the tars
in oils tend to deposit, much like as-
phalt, along the ocean floor or on
beaches.
One proven way to accelerate micro-
bial action is to add fertilizer to provide
oil-decomposing species and consortia
with a better balance of nutrients, Atlas
says. For the Gulf spill, he recommends
adding fertilizers when oil comes on-
shore and “sooner, rather than later.”
Typically, there is a “burst” in activity
and a sharp rise in populations of hy-
drocarbon-degrading microorganisms,
temporarily reducing the local diversity
of microbial populations.
Dispersants can help speed these
degradative processes by making the
crude oil more accessible to the micro-
organisms, according to Atlas. How-
ever, those dispersants, whose use is
generally limited to oil floating on
open waters, can damage other spe-
cies, including fish and birds. Thus,
he calls dispersants a “two-edged
sword.” Not a great deal is known
about the toxicology of oil-dispersant
mixtures, Grimes says, noting that a
colleagues of his recently began to
look systematically at the chronic ef-
fects of this combination on several
representative species of fish and shell-
fish. “There soon may be serious fed-
eral money available for more stud-
ies,” he notes.
Despite interest in inoculating mi-
croorganisms, including those spe-
cially selected or genetically engi-
neered to degrade crude oil, there is
little to suggest that they could outper-
form indigenous microbes, Grimes
says. Adds Atlas, “I gave up looking
for such miracle ‘bugs’ years ago.”
Jeffrey L. Fox
Shift in Fungal Pathogen
Could Be Key to Bee
Colony Collapse
Bee colony collapse disorder could be
due to the impact of two very different
pathogens— one a fungus, the other
several similar types of RNA viruses—
coinfecting and thus weakening bees
during a vulnerable stage as they move
from winter to spring, according to
Jay Evans of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) research labs in
Beltsville, Md. He spoke during the
colloquium “Microbes in Extinction
Events.”
Separately, Arturo Casadevall of
Albert Einstein College of Medicine in
Bronx, N.Y., speculates that global
warming could lead to the emergence
of novel fungal diseases as fungi adapt
to higher ambient temperatures, mak-
ing them better suited to survive in
mammalian hosts. He outlined that
hypothesis, which is detailed in the
inaugural (April 2010) issue of mBio.
The new journal, the first open-access
publication from ASM, was rolled out
during the 110th ASM General Meet-
ing in San Diego last May.
“Global warming means narrow-
ing of the thermal gradient between
ambient and mammalian tempera-
tures,” Casadevall says. “As thermo-
tolerance is more commonly found
within the basidiomycetes, this group
may be the major contributor of new
fungal pathogens.” Moreover, he
points out, “The risk from newly
emerged fungal pathogens could be
magnified by the fact that there are
few antifungal drugs available and no
licensed vaccines.”
Meanwhile, Evans of USDA does
not argue that the emergent fungus
Nosema ceranae—now often associ-
ated with honeybee colonies in North
America and elsewhere in the North-
ern Hemisphere—is a sign of global
warming, but he does say that it could
be “interacting” with other factors
such as pesticides or that affect the
food supply of bees. More impor-
tantly, this newer fungus may be “dis-
placing fungal species in the United
States,” while also interacting with
RNA viruses from the family Dicistro-
viridae. Indeed the presence of both
that fungus and those viruses is “a
pretty strong predictor of [colony] col-
lapse,” he says. Indeed, several years
ago, W. Ian Lipkin of Columbia Uni-
versity in New York and his collabo-
rators reported evidence associating
one of these viruses with colony col-
lapse disorder (Microbe, November
2007, p. 523).
By itself, the fungus infects cells lin-
ing the gut wall of bees, damaging the
cells and causing a mild diarrhea
among the bees while robbing them of
nutrients. The fungal infection also
renders those cells more susceptible to
viral infections, according to Evans.
These combined effects thus may ren-
der colonies vulnerable to collapse,
which happens during the key survival
“pinch point” in spring when the in-
sects begin foraging after the latent
winter period during which they con-
sume honey to survive.
Honeybee colonies began collaps-
ing about six years ago, affecting per-
haps one-quarter of beekeepers and
affecting not only those who collect
and sell honey but also those who
purvey bees to pollinate nuts and
fruits and other crops, according to
Evans. These shortages are stimulat-
ing considerable research into ways of
understanding and combating the
phenomenon, and researchers are
studying whether genetic factors
might yield resistant lines of bees and
also whether various management
practices can help to curtail colony
losses, he says.
Jeffrey L. Fox
Odds and Ends from the
2010 General Meeting
• Cronobacter sakazakii (formerly
Enterobacter sakazakii) and other
species in this genus are foodborne
pathogens that can cause rare but
serious and often fatal infections
among premature and newborn in-
fants, according to Angelika Lehner
of the University of Zurich in Swit-
zerland and her collaborators; she
spoke during the symposium, “Per-
sistence of Foodborne Pathogens
from Farm to Fork.” Curiously,
this desiccation-resistant and bio-
film-forming opportunistic patho-
gen produces cellulose, which she
considers a “virulence factor,”
mainly because it renders these bac-
teria resistant to chloride-contain-
ing cleaning agents. These bacteria
contaminate powdered milk, likely
through additions of plant-derived
supplements and fortifiers. The bac-
teria may persist in such dried milk
products for several years before
they are reconstituted with water
and given to premature infants via
feeding tubes, she says. Infections
typically cause severe inflammation
of the intestinal tract and, less often,
meningitis or sepsis.
• Mice fed with live Mycobacterium
vaccae, a soil bacterium, navigated
mazes more efficiently, according to
Dorothy Matthews of the Sage Col-
leges in Troy, N.Y., and her collab-
orators, who reported their findings
during the session “Microbial Inter-
actions with Plants or Animals.”
That exposure, which apparently
also reduces anxiety levels among
mice, seems to be “temporary,” and
could be due to the bacteria stimu-
lating serotonin production in the
central nervous system of the ani-
mals, she says.
• Bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI)
tracts of obese children living in
Switzerland produce higher levels
of short-chain fatty acids than do
the otherwise indistinguishable GI-
dwelling microorganisms of their
leaner classmates, according to
Amanda Payne of the Institute of
Food, Health, and Nutrition, ETH
in Zurich, Switzerland and her col-
laborators; she spoke during a “Mi-
crobial Sciences” session. Among a
genetically “closed” population of
Old-World Amish in Pennsylvania,
there is little or no correlation in
terms of GI microbiome differences
with obesity, adds Margaret Zu-
pancic of the University of Mary-
land Medical School in Baltimore,
who spoke during the same session.
However, when host obesity-pre-
disposing genetic factors are taken
into account, “intriguing patterns”
in GI bacterial population composi-
tion begin to emerge, she says. Al-
though the analysis is at an early
stage, those patterns “hold up” and
those correlations may make it pos-
sible to determine who is more “at
risk” for becoming obese. Both
studies point to the “multifactorial”
character underlying epidemic obe-
sity, both researchers point out.
Jeffrey L. Fox
Peroxisomes Mount
First-Line Antiviral Defense
In addition to metabolizing fatty acids
and ridding cells of toxic substances,
peroxisomes help cells fend off vi-
ruses, acting alone and in concert with
mitochondria. Both cases involve the
antiviral signaling (MAVS) protein,
which induces both peroxisomes and
mitochondria to release other antivi-
ral agents, according to Jonathan Ka-
gan of Harvard Medical School in
Boston, Mass., and his collaborators.
“This is the first demonstration that
peroxisomes are involved in innate
immunity,” he says. Thus, peroxi-
somes are more than metabolic or-
ganelles within cells. Details appear in
the May 14, 2010 Cell.
Discovered about five years ago, the
MAVS protein, also called interfer-
on-␤ promoter stimulator (IPS)-1, was
thought to act solely on mitochondria.
However, after reovirus infects vari-
ous types of mouse cells, including
embryonic fibroblasts and macro-
phages, or human hepatocytes, MAVS
attaches to membranes of peroxi-
somes and then induces antiviral sig-
naling, Kagan and his collaborators
report.
Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 329
 Meanwhile, cells infected with in-
fluenza virus respond similarly,
whereas cells infected with vesicular
stomatitis virus (VSV), which inter-
feres with type I interferon signals,
apparently respond only through the
peroxisomal antiviral pathway.
Within a few hours, MAVS induces
a signaling pathway that leads to ex-
pression of the gene encoding viperin
along with other antiviral genes, in-
cluding those encoding type I interfer-
ons, Kagan says. These agents act to-
gether to block replication of reovirus.
The immediate immune response
launched with viperin deters viral in-
vaders until mitochondrial MAVS
kicks in with interferons to halt viral
replication.
Viperin specifically targets viruses,
whereas interferons are toxic to vi-
ruses and other cells. “It may be pos-
sible to create treatments to selectively
330 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
activate some antiviral substance like
viperin and avoid the side effects of
interferons,” Kagan says.
Hepatitis C, other viruses, and some
bacteria also stimulate protective re-
sponses via the peroxisomes. These
responses likely occur throughout the
body because peroxisomes are present
in most cell types, according to Kagan.
“This is unique, considering all other
innate immunity networks operate in
a cell-specific manner,” he says. “Ev-
ery bacterial and viral pathogen may
be subject to peroxisomal detection.”
MAVS usually operates via the
RIG-1-like receptor protein family,
which detects viruses and induces type
I interferons, Kagan continues. How-
ever, the peroxisomal MAVS acts at
an independent site.
“This study clearly demonstrates
that IPS-1 [MAVS] is both localized to
and signals from peroxisomes, and
suggests that spatial and temporal
compartmentalization of antiviral sig-
naling events is necessary for a timely
and appropriate antiviral response,”
says immunologist Michael Gale from
the University of Washington, Seattle.
Which viruses trigger peroxisomal
MAVS signaling and at what stages of
viral replication these events occur
await further studies, he adds.
These finding might help to explain
Zellweger syndrome, a rare but often
fatal condition in which peroxisomes
fail to develop properly. Although
viewed as a metabolic disorder, in-
fants with Zellweger syndrome are
highly vulnerable to lung infections.
Perhaps such patients succumb to in-
fections because they are lacking an
essential peroxisome-dependent im-
mune response, Kagan suggests.
Carol Potera
Public Affairs Report
ASM Statement on JVCI Paper
on Synthesizing DNA Genome
On 21 May, ASM released a state-
ment recognizing the scientific signifi-
cance of the newly released report by
the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI)
describing the laboratory’s construc-
tion of a synthetic genome that, when
introduced into a preexisting micro-
bial cell, was successfully propagated.
The ASM statement is available on
the Public Affairs web page at http://
www.asm.org/index.php?option⫽com
_content&view⫽article&id⫽91483.
President Obama has asked the Com-
mission for the Study of Bioethical
Issues to undertake a 6-month study
of the implications of the recent ad-
vance by the JVCI to synthesize a
DNA genome, including the “poten-
tial medical, environmental, security,
and other benefits of this field of re-
search, as well as any potential health,
security or other risks.” The President
asked the panel to recommend any ac-
tions the Federal government should
take “to ensure that America reaps the
benefits of this developing field of sci-
ence while identifying appropriate
ethical boundaries and minimizing
identified risks.” In its statement the
ASM said “Although this research is a
milestone technical advance in syn-
thetic biology, the ASM believes that
the laboratory designed genome does
not warrant any new concerns by poli-
cymakers or the general public.”
ASM Comments for the
Trans-Atlantic Task Force
on Antimicrobial Resistance
On 7 June, ASM presented comments
to the Department of Health and Hu-
man Services (HHS) at the Stake-
holder Listening Session convened to
discuss the work of the Trans-Atlantic
Task Force on Antimicrobial Resis-
tance (TATFAR). ASM commended
the establishment of the TATFAR,
provided some preliminary comments
on addressing antimicrobial resistance
and requested more information about
how it could assist the Task Force as
it pursues its focus on urgent antimi-
crobial issues world wide. The ASM
comments are available on the Public
Affairs web page at http://www.asm
.org/index.php?option⫽com_content
&view⫽article&id⫽91489. The
TATFAR, which is a government to
government task force, was formed
following the November 3, 2009 U.S.-
European Union Summit Declaration
which focused on the specific areas of
appropriate therapeutic use of anti-
microbial drugs in the medical and
veterinary communities, prevention of
both healthcare and community asso-
ciated drug resistant infections and
strategies for improving the pipeline
of new antimicrobial drugs. Represen-
tatives from the National Institutes
of Health, the National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the
Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
vention, the Food and Drug Adminis-
tration, and the Department of Health
and Human Services Global Health
Office are expected to hold their first
meeting with European Union repre-
sentatives the week of 14 June.
ASM Applauds Passage of
the America COMPETES Act
In May, Congress passed the America
COMPETES Reauthorization Act of
2010, authorizing $85.6 billion dol-
lars for federal science research pro-
grams, over a period of five years. The
legislation would authorize $30.2 bil-
lion for the Department of Energy
Office of Science, $44 billion for
the National Science Foundation, and
$5.4 billion for the National Insti-
tute of Standards and Technology. In
April, ASM cosigned a letter support-
ing the legislation, that stated: “We
believe that a strong, five-year autho-
rization for the Office of Science—
consistent with the doubling path
established by the bipartisan 2007
America COMPETES Act—should be
a priority for Congress.”
ASM General Meeting
Minority Travel Grant
Awardees–2010
During the ASM General Meeting in
San Diego, Calif., the awardees of
the ASM General Meeting Minority
Travel Grant were honored at a recep-
tion. The ASM General Meeting Mi-
nority Travel Grant program offers
travel grants to increase the partici-
pation of underrepresented minority
(URM) groups in the ASM General
Meeting. The following outstanding
2010 awardees were introduced at the
ASM General Meeting:
Postdoctoral Awardees
Magdia De Jesus, Ph.D., New York
State Department of Health
Robert Martinez, Ph.D., University
of Alabama
Kathy Milligan-Myhre, Ph.D.,
University of Oregon
Everett C. Salas, Ph.D., Rice
University
Faculty Awardees
Doreen F. Cunningham, Ph.D., Saint
Augustine’s College
Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 331
Kimberly D. Lebby, Ph.D., Florida
A&M University
Mariel E. Pérez Vélez, Ph.D.,
Universidad del Este
Miguel A. Urdaneta, Ph.D.,
University of Puerto Rico

The reception was organized by the

Committee on Microbiological Issues
Impacting Minorities (CMIIM), chaired
by Marian Johnson-Thompson. The
CMIIM developed the grant program
for ASM. A number of ASM volunteers
attended the reception, including ASM
Past Presidents Alison O’Brien and Clif-
ford Houston, ASM Treasurer James
Tiedje, ASM Secretary Joseph Campos,
ASM President-Elect David Hooper,
Underrepresented Members Committee
Chair Maureen Wright, and Meetings
Board Chair and CMIIM member Lu- ASM General Meeting Minority Travel Grant awardees and ASM volunteers. Back row (l-r):
Marian Johnson-Thompson, Lucia Rothman-Denes, Agnes Day, Robert Martinez, Miguel A.
cia Rothman-Denes. CMIIM member Urdaneta, Heather Garvey, Doreen F. Cunningham, and Clifford Houston. Front row (l-r): Magdia
Agnes Day also attended the reception. De Jesus, Kathy Milligan-Myhre, Kimberly D. Lebby, Everett C. Salas, and Mariel E. Pérez-Vélez.
The ASM General Meeting Minor-
ity Travel Grant program is in its fifth the National Institutes of Allergy and If you have colleagues or postdoc-
year. ASM selects postdoctoral schol- Infectious Diseases of the National toral members of your department
ars from underrepresented minority Institutes of Health. For more infor- who you think are eligible for the
groups in the microbiological sciences mation about the grant program award, please let them know about
or faculty from Minority Serving Insti- contact ASMGMTravelGrant@asmusa the program. The CMIIM would like
tutions. Each grantee is offered up .org. The deadline for submission to to encourage as many applications as
to $1,500 to defray expenses associ- apply for a grant to attend the 2011 possible. More information is avail-
ated with travel to the ASM General General Meeting in New Orleans, LA able online at http://www.asm.org/
Meeting. The grants are supported by is 28 January 2011. asmgmminoritytravelgrant.

332 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010

Molecular Diagnostics Could Help in
Coping with Hidden ␤-Lactamases
By adopting molecular tests, clinical laboratories will do better at
detecting antimicrobial resistance, guiding treatment choices
Nancy D. Hanson
ntibiotic-resistant, gram-negative
A bacteria are a global challenge, with
a major concern being widespread
resistance to ␤-lactam antibiotics.
The variety of such drugs is impres-
sive, yet their availability for clinical use is dwin-
dling because of expanding resistance. Two
main strategies help to curb the development of
antibiotic resistance, and they are not mutually
exclusive. One strategy is to develop new anti-
bacterial agents and drug combinations faster
than resistance develops. However, we have al-
ready failed to make this strategy work for
gram-negative infections. The second, but often
overlooked, strategy is to develop technology to
enable rapid surveillance of resistant pathogens
in hospital and community settings. Rapidly
detecting and identifying resistance in turn
could enable us to use antibiotics more judi-
ciously and thus minimize development of fur-
ther resistance.
Summary
• Gram-negative bacteria that are resistant to
␤-lactam antibiotics are a global challenge.
• Molecular-based technologies are needed for
identifying gram-negative pathogens carrying
multiple ␤-lactamases.
• Specific types of ␤-lactamases complicate efforts
to adapt, use, and interpret phenotype-based
antibiotic-susceptibility tests.
• PCR-based testing can be customized, and
wider use of such testing could improve overall
treatment effectiveness while cutting overall
health care costs.
␤-lactamases produced by gram-negative or-
ganisms are difficult to detect in clinical settings
using current methodologies, particularly ex-
tended-spectrum ␤-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC
␤-lactamases, and KPC ␤-lactamases. Many of
the genes encoding these ␤-lactamases are car-
ried on plasmids or transposons, allowing trans-
fer of resistance genes between isolates and thus
further spreading resistance. The emergence of
pathogens that produce multiple ␤-lactamases
and carry other means for resisting ␤-lactam
antibiotics generates a need for better technolo-
gies for detecting ␤-lactamases.
“Rapid screening techniques are needed in
order to effectively track and prevent [antibiotic
resistance] spread in clinical settings,” states the
September 2009 report from the American
Academy of Microbiology, “Antibiotic Resis-
tance: An Ecological Perspective on an Old
Problem.” Bringing those tests into wider use in
clinical laboratories will usher in a range of
benefits not only for clinical microbiolo-
gists, physicians, and their patients but also
for epidemiologists.
Nancy D. Hanson is
a Professor in the
History, Current Status of Antibiotic
Susceptibility Testing
Department of
Medical Microbiol-
Antibiotic susceptibility testing methods ogy and Immunol-
trace back to more than 100 years ago. For ogy and Director of
example, the Dutch microbiologist Marti- Molecular Biology
nus Beijerinck developed agar diffusion at the Center for
techniques by 1889, while Edward Abra- Research in Anti-
ham and his collaborators in England devel- Infectives and Bio-
oped broth dilution techniques using tur- technology, Creigh-
bidity as an endpoint in 1941 as part of their ton University,
efforts to develop and test penicillin. Omaha, Neb.
Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 333
 As microbiologists developed susceptibility
methods, they also wrote guidelines for per-
forming these tests as a way of addressing vari-
ables that affected precision and accuracy. For
instance, in 1966, the Kirby-Bauer disk tech-
niques helped to standardize plate-diffusion
tests of antibiotic susceptibility tests.
A decade later, the National Committee for
Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) issued
refined guidelines for disk diffusion assays. Since
then, the NCCLS successor organization, the
Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI),
and the European Committee on Antimicrobial
Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) have contin-
ued to issue reports describing minimal inhibi-
tory concentrations for antibiotics for many
pathogens. Those reports adhere to refined
guidelines for susceptibility testing and criteria
for interpreting drug breakpoints.
While susceptibility testing was being stan-
dardized, resistance to ␤-lactam drugs among
gram-negative pathogens was minimal. More-
over, resistant strains were easily detected using
phenotypic testing methods. The first ESBL was
recognized in 1983 using phenotypic methods.
Its MICs to several expanded-spectrum cepha-
losporins, including cefotaxime and ceftazi-
dime, were significantly elevated compared to
narrow-spectrum ␤-lactamases. In 1985, the
ESBL was evaluated using molecular methods
and designated SHV-2.
When organisms produced one ESBL and
other non-ESBL enzymes, susceptibility testing
typically proved adequate in terms of giving
physicians an accurate guide for prescribing
effective antibiotics. However, gram-negative
␤-Lactamases Requiring Molecular Detection
␤-Lactamase
type Subtypes
CTX-Ms ESBLs that are both hospital and community acquired
Family Groups: 1, 2, and 14
Imported AmpCs All 6 family groups: ACC, MOX, FOX, CIT (CMY-2-like),
DHA, and FOX
Carbapenemases KPCs: one universal primer set for all 10 variants; KPC2
and KPC-3 most prevalent
MBLs:
VIM, IMP, GIM, SPM, NDM
OXA carbapenemases: 3 family groups for now
OXA-48, OXA-23, OXA-24
334 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
bacterial pathogens have been accumulating
multiple types of ␤-lactamases, making it more
difficult to treat infected patients. In addition,
other antibiotic drug-resistance mechanisms, in-
cluding those that involve membrane porins that
keep drugs out or efflux pumps that drive anti-
biotics from cells, add to the challenge of deter-
mining the specific antibiotic resistance mecha-
nism of a particular pathogen via current
susceptibility testing methods.
Need To Modernize ESBL Testing with
Molecular Techniques
In light of such complexities, we see a need to
incorporate molecular means for detecting
␤-lactamase genes into standard diagnostic clin-
ical microbiology laboratory testing procedures.
Importantly, they would add greater sensitivity
and specificity to current phenotypic testing
methods. Indeed, many clinical microbiologists
consider “hidden ␤-lactamases” one of the most
challenging issues facing them when they con-
duct susceptibility tests.
However, with more than 800 known ␤-lac-
tamases, where does one begin to design and
implement molecular protocols to detect clini-
cally relevant ␤-lactamase genes? Although it
would be wonderful to detect all the known
␤-lactamases, doing so remains impractical. In-
stead, it makes sense to start with simple PCR
assays for clinically challenging ␤-lactam resis-
tance mechanisms. Although some laboratories
use “home brew” PCR assays, others lack the
personnel or means to develop and validate such
assays. Hence, a commercially available PCR kit
would be extremely helpful.
Soon it should be possible to detect large
arrays of ␤-lactamase genes in gram-negative
pathogens, likely through microarray assays
or mass spectrometry. However, before that
technology develops, commercial PCR-based
protocols will be needed to detect clinically
important mechanisms that phenotypic test-
ing misses. These mechanisms include genes
encoding CTX-M ESBLs, the plasmid-en-
coded AmpC ␤-lactamases, and the class A,
B, and D carbapenemases (Table 1). Other
ESBLs include TEM and SHV that, until
CTX-M ESBLs emerged, were considered the
most prevalent ESBLs.
Although important for therapeutic con-
sideration, TEM and SHV ESBLs are more
Hanson: From Snails, Worms, and Viruses to ␤-lactamases and French Cooking
Nancy Dohse Hanson began doing ex-
periments early. “I was about 15, I
guess, and wanted to learn more about
snails,’’ she recalls. “I collected a nice
group from our pond and took them to
the cellar to experiment.” Left on their
own, the snails crawled from their jar,
onto a table, and died. Days later, her
mother went to the cellar for some
canned goods and “yelled my name
very loudly,” Hanson says. “I realized
I’d forgotten my experiment.”
Undaunted, Hanson soon moved
from snails to planaria. “I learned I
could collect them from fresh water
using liver,’’ she says. She appropriated
liver from the refrigerator, converted a
doll case into a science kit, and em-
barked on another expedition. The
liver proved excellent planaria bait.
“Out they came,” she says. “I wanted
to evaluate their ability to regener-
ate—to see if I could get a head to
attach and grow from the midgut of the
worm—but before I could do my ex-
periment, my dad saw the worms. He
made me flush them down the toilet.
My experiment was ruined, but fortu-
nately I have had many more.”
Hanson, 54, is now a professor in
the department of medical microbiol-
ogy and immunology at Creighton
University School of Medicine, where
she joined the faculty in 1995, initially
as an assistant professor in the depart-
ment of pediatrics. Since 1999, she also
has been director of molecular biology
for the Center for Research in Anti-
Infectives and Biotechnology at
Creighton.
During the past 15 years, Hanson
focused her research on antibiotic resis-
tance, evaluating how bacterial patho-
gens become resistant to ␤-lactam anti-
biotics and developing molecular tools
to identify bacteria that carry genes en-
coding ␤-lactamases. “I was trained as
a molecular virologist, and obtained a
faculty position at Creighton with the
understanding that I would develop a
program evaluating molecular mecha-
nisms of antibiotic resistance, mainly
␤-lactam resistance,” she says. “I knew
nothing when I started, but gained mo-
mentum with every experiment.”
Hanson, one of three sisters, grew
up on a farm in Nebraska. “My dad
also had a full-time job in Omaha, as
our farm was small and farming was
not always as lucrative as was needed
for the family,” she says. Meanwhile,
her mother worked as a nurse. “So my
folks were very hard working, and that
must have influenced me, as science is a
demanding but rewarding career.
Growing up, I was always surrounded
by animals and, like most kids, enjoyed
that—and perhaps that got me started
thinking about how life works.”
Hanson wanted to be a scientist
from an early age, but remembers cry-
ing after taking “one of those terrible
state exams, when most of my friends
did better than I.” Her 7th-grade
teacher, Thelma Frederick, consoled
her, saying: “Nancy, you can be what-
ever you want to be—these scores
mean nothing.” Her parents also sup-
ported her goals. “Mom worked when
most moms at that time did not,” she
says. “Dad told me to be cautious of
Ph.D.s—they think they know so
much—and that kept me grounded.”
Hanson earned her B.S. in biology
and chemistry in 1979 from the Uni-
versity of Texas, Permian Basin in
Odessa, followed by a Master’s degree
in biology in 1984 from the University
of Nebraska, Omaha, and in 1991, she
received her doctorate in medical mi-
crobiology from the University of Ne-
braska Medical Center. Between
1992–1994 she served as a postdoc-
toral research associate in the depart-
ment of veterinary science at the Uni-
versity of Nebraska, Lincoln.
Before attend-
ing graduate
school, Hanson
taught high
school science
for several years.
“I love teaching
people how to do
science, what it
takes, how to Hanson
think, what ques-
tions to ask—it doesn’t matter to me
the age of the student,” she says.
“Graduate students are the easiest, as
they already have the passion to do
science. High school and, for that mat-
ter, college kids are still figuring out
what they want . . . and unless the pas-
sion is there, science is hard.”
She married at 19. Her husband,
Richard Hanson, is a mechanical con-
tractor, and they have been married
nearly 35 years. “When I went to col-
lege I was sure I was never going to get
married, but, alas, I fell in love my
freshman year,” she says. “My first
daughter was born before I started my
Master’s, and my second daughter
while I was a postdoc. I refer to them as
my pre- and postdoc kids.” The older
daughter, Laura Hanson Molzer, is
married, lives in Colorado, and is a
family therapist. The younger daugh-
ter, Lindsay, will be a high school se-
nior next year, and is interested in the
field of fashion.
“Between my genetic family and my
science family, I don’t have a lot of time
for hobbies,” Hanson says. However,
she enjoys French cooking and wine
tasting. She now lives in the same town
where she grew up “so I can be close to
my parents, so if they need me—they
are still very independent—I will be
there for them, as they were there for
me.”
Marlene Cimons
Marlene Cimons lives and writes in
Bethesda, Md.
Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 335
 challenging to detect at the molecular level than
are CTX-M ESBLs. Investigators know of 127
SHV and 175 TEM genes (http://www.lahey-
.org), and the similarities between different fam-
ily members (or alleles) increase the challenge of
designing molecular-based assays to differenti-
ate among them.
When these enzymes are produced in the ab-
sence of ␤-lactamases that interfere with suscep-
tibility testing, the likelihood of detecting these
other enzymes while following the 2009 CLSI
confirmatory testing guidelines for ESBLs is very
good. However, if the pathogen produces an
AmpC or a class A carbapenemase such as KPC,
for example, then the ESBL may be missed.
However, because molecular tests can readily
detect both AmpC and KPC genes, these tests
would make it easier to evaluate therapeutic
options even if the ESBL goes undetected using
molecular screens.
Need To Set Appropriate Screening Goals
CTX-M ESBLs make up a family of enzymes
that laboratories need to be able to identify.
Both hospital- and community-acquired patho-
gens produce these enzymes. When individuals
from the community are hospitalized when in-
fected with CTX-M-producing pathogens, they
could put hospital patients at risk.
CTX-M ESBLs are the most prevalent ESBLs
in the world, with CTX-M-15 being the most
prevalent and with both CTX-M-14 and CTX-
M-2 also being frequently detected. There are
five genetic families of CTX-M, groups 1, 4, 2,
3, and 5, and there are 90 CTX-M family mem-
bers (http://www.lahey.org). For clinical pur-
poses, it is necessary to identify only the genetic
group. For example, CTX-15 belongs to the
group-1 family of CTX-M genes, whereas CTX-
M-9 and CTX-M-14 belong to the CTX-M
group 4 family. Screening for these groups of
enzymes would aid in infection control efforts.
Gram-negative pathogens sometimes produce
imported but clinically important AmpC ␤-lacta-
mases that may be difficult to detect using conven-
tional testing methods. There are six families of
plasmid-encoded AmpC ␤-lactamases, which
originated from chromosomal genes of Enter-
obacteriaceae. These families consist of enzymes
from Hafnia alvei (AAC), Aeromonas hydrophila
(MOX-1-like), A. caviae (FOX-1-like), Mor-
ganella morganii (DHA-like), Citrobacter freundii
336 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
(CMY-2-like), and two species of Enterobacter
(ACT-1-like and MIR-1-like).
For AmpC ␤-lactamases to cause resistance to
extended-spectrum ␤-lactams, ␤-lactam/␤-lac-
tam-inhibitor combinations, or aztreonam, the
organism must produce the enzyme at high lev-
els. When high levels of AmpC combine with a
mutation that affects penetration of the drug,
cells become resistant to cefepime and the car-
bapenems. Because levels of this enzyme vary
widely, susceptibility patterns for these isolates
also vary.
To overcome some of these problems, we devel-
oped a multiplex ampC PCR to detect all six
families of plasmid-encoded AmpC ␤-lactamase
genes that is being used in “home brew” PCR
assays around the world. This PCR-based ap-
proach appears to surpass a recently developed
disk test because it can differentiate between iso-
lates that overproduce the chromosomally en-
coded AmpC enzyme from those that produce a
plasmid-encoded AmpC enzyme. In addition, the
AmpC disk test cannot determine the inducibility
of the enzyme whereas the molecular identifica-
tion of the gene family can be used to help deter-
mine whether that gene is capable of induction,
which proves important clinically. An added bo-
nus for the molecular test for plasmid-encoded
ampC genes is that it specifies that the gene is
mobile, a fact that is important for setting infec-
tion control measures in hospitals.
Carbapenemases Are a Key
Class of ␤-lactamases
Several types of carbapenemases hydrolyze car-
bapenems, the most potent ␤-lactam antibiotics
available to physicians. These enzymes also hy-
drolyze, and thus inactivate, other major ␤-lac-
tam antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalo-
sporins, and, in some cases, aztreonam.
The genes encoding carbapenemases are found
on both the chromosome and plasmids. Carbap-
enemases are classified into three of the four mo-
lecular classes of ␤-lactamases, A, B, and D. The
most prevalent class A carbapenemases include
KPC and GES variants. The genes encoding the
KPCs were found within a 10-kb transposon,
which is associated with both chromosomes and
plasmids. KPC-producing pathogens have spread
rapidly throughout the world.
Although the purified KPC enzymes can hy-
drolyze carbapenems, in many cases the gram-
negative pathogens that produce KPCs are not
outright resistant to carbapenems but show re-
duced susceptibility to these drugs. In addition
to carbapenems, these enzymes hydrolyze peni-
cillins and extended-spectrum cephalosporins
such as ceftazidime and cefotaxime. KPC en-
zymes also hydrolyze aztreonam, whereas GES
enzymes do not.
This pattern presents a challenge when trying
to detect KPC- and GES-producing pathogens
because it can be confused with that of an ESBL.
Another challenge in detecting KPC-producing
isolates is that many of these isolates produce
multiple ␤-lactamases, further increasing the
difficulty of evaluating results from current sus-
ceptibility tests.
The 2009 CLSI guidelines which many labo-
ratories will still be using in 2010 and beyond
recommends that laboratories screen for KPC
using the Hodge test if the isolates have carbap-
enem MICs of 2– 4 ␮g/ml and are resistant to
extended-spectrum cephalosporins. However,
data presented at the 49th ICAAC, held in San
Francisco, Calif., in September 2009, suggest
that some extended-spectrum cephalosporins,
including ceftazidime, do not have MICs above
the susceptible breakpoint. Therefore, these iso-
lates likely would not be screened for KPC if the
laboratory used ceftazidime as a screening tool.
Further, the presence of an AmpC ␤-lactamase
might test falsely positive for KPC, and might
mislead a clinician to forego using a carbap-
enem, according to my colleague Kenneth
Thomson at Creighton University.
If a KPC-producing isolate is suspected, it
makes sense to use molecular methods to test for
blaKPC. Many clinical laboratories now use KPC
PCR for this purpose, while others send their
specimens to reference laboratories. If clinical
laboratories had access to commercial kits for
detecting KPC genes, they could test suspect
organisms immediately instead of relying on
additional phenotypic screening or waiting for
results from reference laboratories.
Meanwhile, the OXA carbapenemases
emerged within the class D ␤-lactamase en-
zymes, and are found mainly within species of
Acinetobacter. Additionally, investigators are
recovering isolates of K. pneumoniae and E. coli
in Europe that produce OXA-48. Although the
OXA carbapenemases lead to minimal resis-
tance on their own, their potency rises when
combined with other ␤-lactamases and porin or
efflux mutations. The clinical impact of OXA
carbapenemases is unknown, but their presence
in K. pneumoniae or E. coli increases the diffi-
culty in the interpretation of susceptibility data
when clinical laboratories are screening for the
presence of KPC producing pathogens.
Another Key Group: the
Metallo-␤-lactamases
The metallo-␤-lactamase class B enzymes in-
clude the IMP, VIM, GIM, SPM, and NDM-1
␤-lactamases. Of these five types, IMP and VIM
are the most prevalent worldwide. Although
many VIM and IMP enzymes are found in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, they also are found in
K. pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and several
other genera of Enterobacteriaceae.
The susceptibility pattern associated with or-
ganisms that produce metallo-␤-lactamases
includes resistance to penicillins and cephalo-
sporins in addition to carbapenems but suscep-
tibility to aztreonam. Because their hydrolytic
profiles vary extensively, detecting metallo-␤-
lactamase-associated resistance by susceptibility
assays proves difficult. Further, when isolates
also produce AmpC enzymes or ESBLs, such
tests may yield false-negative results for aztreo-
nam.
Although Etests and other susceptibility tests
that use EDTA to inhibit the activity of metallo-
␤-lactamase and thus test for their production
are widely used in clinical laboratories, these
tests may yield false-negative and false-positive
results. These inaccurate results, especially for
metallo-␤-lactamases produced by P. aerugi-
nosa, are a problem because they may lead cli-
nicians to select inappropriate antibiotic ther-
apy for their patients. In addition, implemention
of proper control measures requires that person-
nel know when pathogens carrying these en-
zymes are identified in certain patient popula-
tions within the hospital.
Improvements in Diagnostic
Testing on Several Fronts
Investigators continue to modify susceptibility
test methods to increase their sensitivity and to
adapt them to detect specific resistance mecha-
nisms. Some of these upgraded tests are based
on simple disk diffusion tests in which multiple
␤-lactam disks are used. Spatial requirements
Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 337
 FIGURE 1
Initiation of PCR into the workflow of the clinical laboratory. After initial isolation of the
organism, PCR could be initiated at the time of susceptibility testing if previous
surveillance data indicate the presence of a particular resistance mechanism or mecha-
nisms (such as a high incidence of KPC-, CTX-M-, or AmpC-producing pathogens). The
laboratory could also wait until initial susceptibility testing was completed, but the
number of days postisolation to report the outcome could increase by 1 day depending
on the method used for susceptibility testing.
prove critical when interpreting these tests and,
many times, these modified disk tests fail. Some-
times, for example, the zones of inhibition are so
slightly changed that only very experienced mi-
crobiologists can interpret the data.
To overcome such drawbacks and to provide
faster turnarounds, molecular tests are needed
in clinical laboratories. Their use will require
training but the advantage of adopting such
methods far outweigh the time required for that
training. Moreover, adopting molecular detec-
tion assays for ␤-lactamase genes will provide
physicians and hospital epidemiologists the ben-
efit of knowing what mechanisms are responsi-
ble for local antibiotic treatment failures (Fig.
1). This type of information will aid physicians
in choosing the most appropriate therapies for
their patient and will also guide infection con-
trol practices.
PCR-based testing can be customized to indi-
vidual health care settings. For instance, multi-
plex real-time PCR can reflect the most clinically
relevant ␤-lactamase genes for a given region,
which may be too challenging for phenotypic
susceptibility testing. Thus, if KPCs and CTX-M
ESBLs are being produced by isolates from hos-
338 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
pitalized patients, then a real-time PCR
assay could be adapted to the genes
encoding those enzymes. Or, if a hospi-
tal were concerned specifically about
carbapenem resistance in Enterobacte-
riaceae, its lab could adjust its assays to
detect carbapenemase genes. The cus-
tomized combinations are endless.
Appropriate antibiotic therapy ad-
ministered early has a significant impact
on the effectiveness of treatment. Real-
time surveillance to identify the preva-
lence of specific types of ␤-lactamases
produced by pathogens collected within
a given hospital can help guide the most
appropriate empiric therapy possible.
This information will not only increase
the successful treatment outcomes for
patients but has the potential to de-
crease the length of hospital stay and
thus hospital care costs.
Clinical laboratories must take an
active role urging diagnostics compa-
nies to develop molecular tests for
␤-lactamases. Clinical laboratory su-
pervisors must also take an active role
in convincing hospital administrators
to invest in equipment and training of person-
nel because those investments will benefit both
patients and hospitals. Some laboratories may
already have some of this equipment on hand,
using it to detect pathogens such as the influ-
enza and herpes simplex viruses as well as
Bordetella pertussis, which causes whooping
cough. For those labs, it would take little
effort to adapt that equipment for detecting
␤-lactamase genes.
Those of us following the rise in resistant
gram-negative organisms must be voices for
change. Clinical microbiology laboratories need
to do better at detecting antimicrobial resis-
tance. Although they should continue to use
phenotypic testing methods, they also need to
implement molecular detection protocols. Vigi-
lant surveillance and appropriate infection con-
trol strategies, based on a deep understanding of
drug-resistance mechanisms, are critical for our
patients. We can serve them more effectively if
we learn to use ␤-lactam antibiotics more judi-
ciously. And until we begin using novel classes
of antibiotics to treat gram-negative infections,
better surveillance strategies are our best re-
course.
SUGGESTED READING
Bonnet, R. 2004. Growing group of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases: the CTX-M enzymes. Antimicrob. Agents Che-
mother. 48:1–14.
Naas, T., G. Cuzon, M. V. Villegas, M. F. Lartigue, J. P. Quinn, and P. Nordmann. 2008. Genetic structures at the origin of
acquisition of the beta-lactamase bla KPC gene. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 52:1257–1263.
Pai, H., C. I. Kang, J. H. Byeon, K. D. Lee, W. B. Park, H. B. Kim, E. C. Kim, M. D. Oh, and K. W. Choe. 2004. Epidemiology
and clinical features of bloodstream infections caused by AmpC-type-beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother 48:3720 –3728.
Paterson, D. L., and R. A. Bonomo. 2005. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases: a clinical update. Clin. Microbiol. Rev.
18:657– 686.
Perez-Perez, F. J., and N. D. Hanson. 2002. Detection of plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamase genes in clinical isolates by
using multiplex PCR. J. Clin. Microbiol. 40:2153–2162.
Pitout, J. D., N. D. Hanson, D. L. Church, and K. B. Laupland. 2004. Population-based laboratory surveillance for Escherichia
coli-producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases: importance of community isolates with blaCTX-M genes. Clin. Infect.
Dis. 38:1736 –1741.
Pitout, J. D., A. Hossain, and N. D. Hanson. 2004. Phenotypic and molecular detection of CTX-M-beta-lactamases produced
by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. J. Clin. Microbiol. 42:5715–5721.
Queenan, A. M., and K. Bush. 2007. Carbapenemases: the versatile beta-lactamases. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 20:440 – 458.
Rice, L. B. 2007. Emerging issues in the management of infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria.
Cleveland Clinic J. Med. 74(Suppl. 4):S12–20.
Wheat, P. F., and R. C. Spencer. 1988. The evolution of in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility techniques. J. Antimicrob.
Chemother. 22:579 –582.

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Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 339

 Nε-Lysine Acetylation Control Conserved
in All Three Life Domains
The relative simplicity of studying microbes could prove critical for
understanding this posttranslational modification system
Jorge C. Escalante-Semerena
orking with microbes provides
W opportunities to better under-
stand fundamental cellular pro-
cesses, including some that, al-
though discovered in eukaryotes,
have their origins in Bacteria or Archaea. One
such example, reversible Nε-lysine (Nε-Lys)
acetylation of proteins, appears crucial for all
organisms. With that universality in mind, the
relative simplicity of bacteria and archaea could
prove critical for advancing our understanding
of how this posttranslational modification sys-
tem influences cell survival.
Nε-Lys acetylation could well prove to be a
fundamental process for cells from all three do-
mains of life. If true, this control of protein
function likely arose early during evolution.
Chemical changes can control the activi-
ties of both small and macromolecules in
cells, rapidly halting or enhancing a wide
range of physiological processes. These con-
trol mechanisms are particularly important
to microorganisms, especially those in hab-
itats subject to sudden changes in composi-
tion, temperature, and pH. These modifica-
tion mechanisms can prove pivotal for
microbial stress response systems that en-
able microbes to adapt to and survive in
such environments.
How Chemical Change-Based Cellular
Jorge C. Escalante- Control Systems Work
Semerena is Profes-
sor of Bacteriology Many biochemical change systems typi-
in the Department cally depend on transferase enzymes to
of Bacteriology, Uni- modify target molecules. Such modifica-
versity of Wisconsin, tions include alkylation, acylation, phos-
Madison. phorylation, thiolation, or nitrosylation
340 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
of specific chemical groups, including hydroxyls,
sulfhydryls, amines, or carbon skeletons. Those
changes can exert positive or negative effects on
the biological functions of the target molecules. In
some cases, the changes lead to turnover of the
modified target molecule.
Such enzymes modify all kinds of molecules in
cells. Some of them, for example, account for
particular kinds of antibiotic resistance. Thus, in
some cases, transferases of bacterial pathogens
modify the core structure of an antibiotic— e.g.,
acetylating chloramphenicol or phosphorylat-
ing kanamycin—rendering them inactive.
Other enzymes modify DNA, RNA, tRNA, or
proteins. One type of those protein modifica-
tions—the reversible acetylation of the ε-amino
Summary
• Reversible Nε-lysine (Nε-Lys) acetylation of
proteins appears crucial throughout three do-
mains of biology.
• Enzymes that acetylate or deacetylate histone
tails help to control gene expression in eu-
karyotes and archaea; similar processes may
also affect gene expression in some bacteria.
• Altogether about 90 proteins in E. coli are
acetylated, and more than 50% of them appear
to be involved in protein synthesis, catabolism,
or energy metabolism.
• The number of Gcn-5 acetyltransferase en-
zymes—GNATs—in a particular bacterial spe-
cies appears to reflect its metabolic complexity.
• Bacterial proteins called sirtuins are class III,
NAD⫹-consuming histone deacetylases that ap-
pear to partake in metabolic stress responses.
group of lysine (Nε-Lys acetylation)— FIGURE 1
proves crucial for regulating gene ex-
pression among eukaryotes.
For instance, the enzymes that acety-
late or deacetylate histone tails help to
fine tune gene expression in eukaryotes
and archaea. Thus, positively charged,
hypoacetylated histone tails interact
with other chromatin components, si-
lencing genes. Nε-Lys acetylation neu-
tralizes those charges, yielding a less-
condensed nucleosome that facilitates
transcriptional read-through.
Whether Nε-Lys acetylation affects
the DNA-binding activity of bacterial
nucleoid-associated proteins is uncer-
tain. However, the catabolism repressor
protein (Crp) and the tryptophan biosyn-
thesis repressor (TrpR) from Escherichia
coli are acetylated in vivo, according to Metabolic fates of acetyl-CoA.
recent reports by Y. Zhao (now at the
University of Chicago) and coworkers
and collaborators, and by J.-G. Pan and terica can undergo autoacetylation, even under
coworkers at the Korea Research Institute of Bio- conditions that minimize the lability of the thio-
science and Biotechnology at Daejon. Other tran- ester bond in acetyl-CoA. Because we measure
scription factors might also fall under Nε-Lys acet- these enzyme-independent events under chemi-
ylation control in this or other bacteria and cally defined conditions with homogeneous pro-
archaea. Similar studies have been performed in teins, we need to be cautious when ascertaining
Salmonella enterica. A group of investigators from whether any specific protein is a substrate for a
several research centers in China and the United particular acetyltransferase. The role of protein
States recently reported the potentially broad im- autoacetylation is not known.
pact of Nε-Lys acetylation in Salmonella enterica
physiology.
What We Know about Acetyltransferase
N ␧-Lys Acetylation Could Control Systems in Microbes
Many Cellular Processes
Eukaryotes produce different classes of histone
Altogether about 90 proteins in E. coli are acety- acetyltransferases (HATs) and deacetylases
lated, and more than 50% of them appear to be (HDACs). Bacterial homologues of the yeast
involved either in protein synthesis, including ribo- Gcn-5 acetyltransferase (yGNAT)— called
somal proteins; catabolism, including proteins GNATs–are common. Although the catalytic core
that are part of the pentose phosphate pathway, of GNATs is conserved, their numbers vary in
glycolysis, and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle; bacteria. For example, the E. coli K-12 genome
or energy metabolism, including proteins involved encodes 23 putative GNATS, while the Rhodo-
in synthesizing menaquinone and ubiquinone. The pseudomonas palustris genome encodes about 40,
acetylation state of these proteins varies with the Bacillus subtilis genome about 50, and the
growth stage, suggesting that these systems re- Streptomyces coelicolor genome about 100. Ap-
spond to physiological signals. parently, bacteria acylate many target molecules
The reactivity of acetyl-CoA, which can acet- to control their availability or reactivity. Thus the
ylate proteins on its own, complicates efforts to number of GNATs in a bacterial species appears
measure enzyme-dependent, reversible Nε-Lys to reflect its metabolic complexity.
acetylations in cells. For example, we find that Our understanding of the contributions of
many proteins from E. coli and Salmonella en- GNATs to bacterial and archaeal cell physiol-

Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 341

 FIGURE 2 ars and for producing ornithine, lipid
A, and macromolecules.
However, except in the case of the sir-
tuins, deacetylases are not implicated as
part of protein modification systems in E.
coli or S. enterica. Bacillus subtilis is dif-
ferent. For instance, a class II, acetate-
forming deacetylase is part of a system in
B. subtilis that modulates the activity of
acetyl-CoA synthetase.

Bacterial, Sirtuin-Dependent
Protein Acetylation System

Bacterial proteins called sirtuins are

class III histone deacetylases that are
homologues of the yeast Sir2 protein
(ySir2p). For instance, the cobB gene in
both E. coli and S. enterica encodes a
sirtuin, CobB sirtuin, that is involved in
short-chain fatty acid catabolism. The
cognate GNAT that works in concert
with CobB in S. enterica is protein
acetyltransferase (Pat), encoded by pat
(formerly, yfiQ).
CobB and Pat are components of the
sirtuin-dependent protein acylation-
deacylation system (SDPADS), which
controls acetyl-CoA synthetase (Acs) by
reversible acetylation and propionyl-
CoA synthetase (PrpE) by reversible
propionylation (Fig. 1). SDPADS ap-
pears to respond to metabolic stress
N␧-Lysine acetylation controls the activity of acetyl-CoA synthetase. The two steps of the when CoA becomes imbalanced and re-
reaction catalyzed by the acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase (Acs) enzyme is shown at the
bottom of the figure. Each color represents a different conformation state of Acs. Green, dox homeostasis is disrupted.
Acs in the conformation that catalyzes the formation of the acyl-AMP intermediate; red, Pat deactivates both Acs and PrpE by
Acs in the conformation that converts acyl-AMP to acyl-CoA; gray-shaded hexagon, apo acylating conserved lysine residues in the
Acs in the conformation with the side chain of a critical Lys residue exposed; colored
hexagon, inactive acetylated Acs; blue, acetylated Acs with ATP and acetate bound to the active sites of these enzymes, presumably
active site. in response to a decrease in the CoA:acyl-
CoA ratio. Acyl-CoA could build up as its
use for biosynthesis or generating energy
ogy is limited. For example, in E. coli, there are decreases (Fig. 1). Under such conditions, the Pat
experiments to describe the functions of only 10 enzyme of SDPADS would slow down, preventing
GNAT-encoding genes, namely speG, rimI, further imbalances in CoA. Acyl-CoA would re-
rimJ, rimL, yfiQ, wecD, phnO, argA, aat, and vert to physiological levels when it is consumed or
tmcA, leaving the other 13 GNATs wholly enig- if thioesterases hydrolyze its thioester bond. Once
matic. In contrast, the numbers of homologues CoA homeostasis is reestablished, the cell must
of deacetylases in E. coli and Salmonella en- reactivate acylated acyl-CoA synthetases to build
terica are much smaller, and we know more acyl-CoA levels for growth.
about them. These bacteria use Zn(II)-depen- Like other deacetylases, sirtuins require Zn(II)
dent deacetylases in breaking down amino sug- ions. However, unlike other deacetylases, sirtuins

342 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010

use NAD⫹ as a substrate, not as a cofac- FIGURE 3
tor, meaning that sirtuins consume
NAD⫹. The biochemical function of sir-
tuins was identified in 2000 when inves-
tigators learned that these enzymes use
NAD⫹ to deacetylate acetylated proteins.
Free acetate is not a product of the sirtuin
reaction. Instead, sirtuins synthesize 2⬘-
O-acetyl-ADPribose (O-AADPr), whose
role in bacterial and archaeal cell physiol-
ogy remains an open question.
The link of sirtuin function to eu-
karyotic cell longevity, cancer, and
other human diseases makes it impor-
tant not only for the scientific commu-
nity but also the general public. Study-
ing sirtuins in microbes will likely
reveal basic principles that may well
apply to cells in other domains of life.

Roles of N ␧-Lys Acetylation in

Bacteria and Archaea

We still know relatively little about re-

versible Nε-Lys acetylation in bacteria
such as S. enterica serovar Typhi-
murium LT2, E. coli K-12, B. subtilis
SMY, Rhodopseudomonas palustris,
and archaea such as Haloferax volcanii,
Sulfolobus solfataricus P2, and Ar-
chaeoglobus fulgidus.
Reversible Nε-Lys acetylation was
linked to bacterial metabolism by ob-
serving how sirtuin-deficient S. en-
terica strains grow when fed short-
Putative acylation motif found in members of the AMP-forming family of enzymes. The
chain fatty acids. For instance, such following are enzymes present in E. coli K-12, and S. enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2:
strains fail to use acetate or propi- Acs, acetyl-CoA synthetase; PrpE, propionyl-CoA synthetase; Aas, acyl-[acyl carrier
onate as carbon and energy source, protein] synthetase/2-acylglycerophosphoethanolamine acyltramnsferase; FadD, long-
chain, fatty acid:CoA ligase; EntE, enterobactin synthase subunit E; EntF, enterobactin
even though such cells carry enzymes synthase, subunit F; CaiC, crotonobetaine/carnitine:CoA ligase; YdiD (FadK, short-chain
needed for catabolizing these short- acid:CoA ligase. GrsA, gramicidin synthetase from Bacillus brevis; hmAcs2A, human
chain fatty acids. mitochondrial acetyl-CoA synthetase 2A; BadA, bezoate:CoA ligase from Rhodopseudo-
monas palustris. The lower part of the figure shows the frequency at which a specific
Apparently, when a Lys residue in the residue is found within the motif.
active site of acyl-CoA synthetases is
acetylated, the enzyme is no longer cat-
alytic, thus blocking use of those fatty CoA synthetase (Acs) rotates its C-terminal
acids. This modification interferes with the first domain, removing that Lys and exposing it to
step of the reaction, which ordinarily consumes the medium, thus making it available to the
ATP to form an acyl-adenylate intermediate, acetyltransferase, according to structural
releasing pyrophosphate. studies (Fig. 2). Although the acylation site is
Critical to this step is a conserved Lys resi- part of a motif found in this class of enzymes,
due that orients the acid substrate in the active we do not understand how GNATs recognize
site. Binding of CoA to the active site in acetyl- residues within or flanking that motif. More-

Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 343

 over, different GNATs may be responsible for
acetylating proteins with similar motifs (Fig. 3).
Expanding Our Understanding of GNAT
Functions in Cells
GNATs continue to attract interest because of
their involvement in several key processes, in-
cluding microbial antibiotic resistance, com-
pacting eukaryotic DNA, and controlling gene
expression. However, GNATs play other roles,
including in biochemical metabolism, but the
details of these other functions are mostly un-
known.
In elucidating gene functions, valuable clues
come from databases such as http://genexpdb
.ou.edu/index.php and http://smd.stanford.edu
/resources/databases.shtml. Genome context is
also useful, especially if a GNAT-encoding gene
might be co-expressed with others of known
function, or if global or local regulators regulate
its expression. Another way to approach GNAT
functions involves exploring diverse stress con-
ditions that microbes may face in particular
environments where posttranslational modifica-
tion systems confer on microorganisms the ca-
pacity to turn genes on or off to respond to
changing environmental stimuli.
Phenotypic analyses can be extremely useful,
providing an in vivo context for gene functions.
The search for a phenotype typically involves
testing strains that either carry a null allele of the
gene of interest or a plasmid encoding that gene
to look at what happens when gene dosage
increases. These approaches disrupt optimal lev-
els of a protein, with the goal of revealing a
substantial negative or positive effect in the be-
havior of the strain under specific conditions.
In the absence of any in vivo information,
high-throughput in vitro approaches also offer
opportunities to study GNAT functions. This
approach involves constructing proteome chips
similar to those used to study Saccharomyces
cerevisiae. One approach would be to probe for
putative protein substrates of GNATs in the
presence of radiolabeled acetyl-CoA. One ad-
vantage of this approach is that it probes as
many of the expressed and modified proteins as
possible. An important consideration for the use
of this approach is that proteins may be attached
to surfaces in ways that block interactions with
GNATs, leading to false negatives.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was supported by NIH grant R01 GM62203 to J. C. E.-S.

SUGGESTED READING
Brandl, A., T. Heinzel, and O. H. Kramer. 2009. Histone deacetylases: salesmen and customers in the post-translational
modification market. Biol. Cell 101:193–205.
Garrity, J., J. G. Gardner, W. Hawse, C. Wolberger, and J. C. Escalante-Semerena. 2007. N-lysine propionylation controls the
activity of propionyl-CoA synthetase. J. Biol. Chem. 282:30239 –30245.
Gulick, A. M., V. J. Starai, A. R. Horswill, K. M. Homick, and J. C. Escalante-Semerena. 2003. The 1.75Å crystal structure
of acetyl-CoA synthetase bound to adenosine-5’-propylphosphate and coenzyme A. Biochemistry 42:2866 –2873.
Imai, S., F. B. Johnson, R. A. Marciniak, M. McVey, P. U. Park, and L. Guarente. 2000. Sir2: an NAD-dependent histone
deacetylase that connects chromatin silencing, metabolism, and aging. Cold Spring Harb. Symp. Quant. Biol. 65:297–302.
Starai, V. J., I. Celic, R. N. Cole, J. D. Boeke, and J. C. Escalante-Semerena. 2002. Sir2-dependent activation of acetyl-CoA
synthetase by deacetylation of active lysine. Science 298:2390 –2392.
Starai, V. J., H. Takahashi, J. D. Boeke, and J. C. Escalante-Semerena. 2004. A link between transcription and intermediary
metabolism: a role for Sir2 in the control of acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase. Curr. Opin. Microbiol. 7:115–119.
Tsang, A. W., and J. C. Escalante-Semerena. 1998. CobB, a new member of the SIR2 family of eucaryotic regulatory proteins,
is required to compensate for the lack of nicotinate mononucleotide:5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole phosphoribosyltransferase
activity in cobT mutants during cobalamin biosynthesis in Salmonella typhimurium LT2. J. Biol. Chem. 273:31788 –31794.
Wang, Q., Y. Zhang, C. Yang, H. Xiong, Y. Lin, J. Yao, H. Li, L. Xie, W. Zhao, Z. Ning, R. Zeng, Y. Xiomng, K. L. Guan,
S. Zhao, and G. P. Zhao. 2010. Acetylation of metabolic enzymes coordinates carbon source utilization and metabolic flux.
Science 327:1004 –1007.
Yu, B. J., J. A. Kim, J. H. Moon, S. E. Ryu, and J. G. Pan. 2008. The diversity of lysine-acetylated proteins in Escherichia coli.
J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 18:1529 –1536.
Zhang, J., R. Sprung, J. Pei, X. Tan, S. Kim, H. Zhu, C. F. Liu, N. V. Grishin, and Y. Zhao. 2009. Lysine acetylation is a highly
abundant and evolutionarily conserved modification in Escherichia coli. Mol. Cell. Proteomics 8:215–225.

344 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010

 Journal Highlights
Genetic Locus Controls Nodulation Specificity in Soybean Cultivars
Sinorhizobium fredii USDA257 is a fast-growing rhizobium that forms nitrogen-fixing nodules on
Glycine max, Glycine sojo, Neonotonia wightii, and several other legumes. The symbiotic relation-
ship between S. fredii USDA257 (aka USDA257) and soybean is of scientific and economic interest
because this bacterium nodulates soybean in a cultivar-specific manner. Earlier, Hari Krishnan and
colleagues of the University of Missouri, Columbia, showed that it forms nodules on soybean
cultivars that predate modern agronomic manipulation, but not on those that have undergone such
Krishnan (l) and Kim
manipulation, and further, that a mutation in any gene of the plasmid-encoded locus nolXWBTU
enables USDA257 to nodulate modern soybean cultivars. Now this team shows evidence for
involvement of a new genetic locus that controls soybean cultivar specificity. This locus is composed
of three proteins that bear significant amino acid homology to the glycine cleavage system of
Escherichia coli and other organisms. “Information obtained from this basic study will help us to
better understand the factors that limit the formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules on North American
soybean cultivars,” says Krishnan. “Such an understanding will enable scientists to manipulate
biological nitrogen fixation so that farmers can increase the soybean yields with minimal use of
nitrogen fertilizers.”

(J. C. Lorio, W.-S. Kim, A. H. Krishnan, and H. B. Krishnan. 2010. Disruption of the glycine cleavage system
enables Sinorhizobium fredii USDA257 to form nitrogen-fixing nodules on agronomically improved North
American Soybean cultivars. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 76:4185– 4193.)

Candida albicans: Comparing the Benign and the Invasive

Despite its reputation as a scourge, Candida albicans normally benignly inhabits the human intestinal
tract. Carol Kumamoto of Tufts University, Boston, et al. show that benign colonizers and invasive
C. albicans express many of the same cell surface proteins. “This suggests that these proteins help the
organism adapt to being in a host regardless of whether the organism is causing disease,” says
Kumamoto. But they also found many genes that are expressed by invasive organisms, and not by
benign colonizers. They found further that “colonizing cells express some of the genes characteristic
of rapid growth and some characteristic of slowly growing cells,” says Kumamoto. “Some of the
latter include stress-responsive genes. So it seems that organisms growing in the host are both able to
grow fast and to resist stresses. These may be important characteristics for organisms growing inside
Kumamoto
a host.” She also says that the knowledge gained from this work “will help us identify activities that
could be useful as targets for therapies or as the basis for diagnostics.”

(A. Rosenbach, D. Dignard, J. V. Pierce, M. Whiteway, and C. A. Kumamoto. 2010. Adaptations of Candida
albicans for growth in the mammalian intestinal tract. Eukaryot. Cell 9:1075–1086.)

ASM Articles in the Spotlight. The ASM journals Eukaryotic Cell, Infection and Immunity,
and the Journal of Virology highlight current articles of interest in their Spotlight sections:
http://ec.asm.org/current.dtl#SPOTLIGHT
http://iai.asm.org/current.dtl#SPOTLIGHT
http://jvi.asm.org/current.dtl#SPOTLIGHT

346 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010

Sequence Inconsistencies Identified among Lab Strains of M. tuberculosis
H37Rv is a virulent reference strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis used by laboratories throughout
the world for biochemical and genetic studies on tuberculosis, which was published in 1998. Since
then, several groups have identified ⬃73 inconsistencies (which could have been sequencing errors)
as compared to current strains, including several that cause frame shift mutations, which result in
phenotypic differences. Thomas R. Ioerger of Texas A&M University, College Station, et al.
sequenced six strains from different labs, identifying up to five polymorphisms unique to each strain,
and additional polymorphisms shared between subsets of strains reflecting their provenance or
relationships. “Some of these differences are nonsynonymous mutations in proteins that could
potentially affect metabolism or growth of the bacterium,” says Ioerger. “Understanding how each
individual strain differs from the standard reference genome sequence is important for interpreting
differences in results from different labs, and also for drug discovery efforts that depend on accurate
knowledge of the genome sequence.”
(T.R. Ioerger, Y. Feng, K. Ganesula, X. Chen, K.M. Dobos, S. Fortune, W.R. Jacobs, Jr., V. Mizrahi, T. Parish, E.
Rubin, C. Sassetti, and J. C. Sacchettini. 2010. Variation among genome sequences of H37Rv strains of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis from multiple laboratories. J. Bacteriol. 192:3645–3653.)

Streamlining Investigation of Invasive Aspergillosis

Mice are the gold standard for infection models of invasive aspergillosis. However, screening in
mice is slow and has become a bottleneck in efforts to screen the virulence of large numbers of
Aspergillus fumigatus strains. Ilse Jacobsen of the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research
and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany, et al. show that embryonated chicken eggs are a suitable
alternative model for determining the virulence of A. fumigatus strains. Prescreening mutants of
interest in this model provides a true alternative which reduces the number of mammals needed
for experimental infections, says Jacobsen. Moreover, “the egg model is inexpensive, easy to Jacobsen (l) and Brock
handle, and can be performed without specialized facilities, thus allowing researchers without
direct access to mouse facilities to perform reliable virulence screens.” She adds that aspergillosis is an
important disease in poultry, and the model might be useful for studying pathogenesis and protective
defense mechanisms of aspergillosis in birds. The team is also planning to investigate pathogenicity
mechanisms of C. albicans in embryonated eggs.
(I. D. Jacobsen, K. Gro␤e, S. Slesiona, B. Hube, A. Berndt, and M. Brock. 2010. Embryonated eggs as an
alternative infection model to investigate Aspergillus fumigatus virulence. Infect. Immun. 78:2995–3006.)

Resurrecting an Old Antibiotic against Extended-Spectrum

␤-Lactamase Producers
The spread of extended-spectrum ␤-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli is becoming a
global threat. These bacteria are often multidrug-resistant. Now Jun-ichi Wachino and colleagues of
the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, show that the old antibiotic, fosfomycin, was
able to maintain a high level of antimicrobial activity against ESBL-producing E. coli. Yet, new
resistant strains have already developed among ESBL-producers, says Wachino. Two fosfomycin-
inactivating enzymes, FosA3 and FosC2, are colocated with CTX-M ␤-lactamase on transferable
plasmids. “We plan to determine the crystal structure of FosA3 and FosC2 enzymes, and develop
potent inhibitors of these enzymes based on their structures,” says Wachino. In addition to restoring
fosfomycin’s efficacy against resistant bacteria, these could be applied to developing rapid screening
for fosfomycin-resistant bacteria in clinical microbiology laboratories, he says.
(J. Wachino, K. Yamane, S. Suzuki, K. Kimura, and Y. Arakawa. 2010. Prevalence of fosfomycin resistance
among CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli clinical isolates in Japan and identification of novel plasmid-mediated
fosfomycin-modifying enzymes. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 54:3061–3064.)

Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 347

 ASM News
Scripps Institution of
Oceanography Designated as
Milestone in Microbiology Site

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO)

was designated a “Milestones in Microbiology”
site by ASM in a formal recognition ceremony
Saturday, 22 May at Sumner Auditorium on the
Scripps campus.
ASM President Roberto Kolter presented a
plaque to Scripps Director Tony Haymet. The
plaque recognizes the tremendous contributions
of Scripps to the discipline of marine microbiol-
ogy and commemorating the long and successful
career of microbiologist Claude ZoBell, who
joined Scripps in 1932. During his research ca-
reer at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at
the University of California San Diego, Claude
ZoBell laid a scientific foundation that would
shape the field of marine microbiology. The
plaque will be affixed to Hubbs Hall, site of
ASM News

ZoBell’s laboratory.
ZoBell is considered the father of marine mi-
crobiology because of his pioneering work on
the effects of microorganisms on chemical, geo-
logical, and biological processes in the ocean.
ZoBell collected the first bacteria brought back
alive from the extreme ocean depths present in
ocean trenches and published nearly 300 scien- ZoBell.” One of ZoBell’s Ph.D. students, Rich-
tific papers. He developed the areas of petro- ard Morita, said that ZoBell’s greatest achieve-
leum microbiology and microbial corrosion and ment was “laying the foundation for all marine
founded the Geomicrobiology Journal. His most microbiology.”
noted work was Marine Microbiology, the first “There are only three other Milestones in Mi-
text to bring together information on this field. crobiology locations around the country, and so
“ZoBell’s work is very this is a highly notable recognition of the contribu-
important because his tions of Claude ZoBell and others at Scripps to the
work always involved the field of marine microbiology,” said Scripps Profes-
design and construction sor Doug Bartlett. “I myself have spent countless
of novel equipment for enjoyable hours reading over Claude’s contribu-
research, and the devel- tions to microbial community development on
opment of media for cul- solid surfaces and his work collecting microbes
tivation,” wrote Tim from great seawater depths.”
Gough in “The Life, While at Scripps, ZoBell served as assistant to
Work and Scientific Con- the director (1936 –1952) and chairman of the
ZoBell tributions of Claude E. Marine Biology Research Division (1956 –1960).

348 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010

He died in 1989 at the age of 84. Many members
of the ZoBell family attended the presentation
ceremony.
The presentation occurred in conjunction
with a meeting of the San Diego Microbiology
Group and included remarks on the history and
future of marine microbiology by Aristides
Yayanos, Professor Emeritus, SIO, and Farooq
Azam, Distinguished Professor, SIO.
The ASM Milestones in Microbiology Pro-
gram has been designed to recognize institutions
and the scientists who worked there that have
made significant contributions toward advanc-
ing the science of microbiology. By placing
explanatory plaques at these sites, the ASM
hopes to increase professional and public recog-
nition of the significance of the science of micro-
biology.
sanofi-aventis ICAAC Award
Thomas J. Walsh, M.D.,
Director of the Transplan-
tation-Oncology Infec-
tious Diseases Program of
Weill Cornell Medical
College of Cornell Univer-
sity, New York, N.Y., has
been selected as the 2010
laureate of the sanofi-
aventis ICAAC Award for Walsh
his translational research
on antifungal pharmacology and therapeutics.
Walsh received his M.D. degree from the Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine and sub-
sequently pursued 10 postdoctoral years of train-
ing, which he completed at the National Cancer
Institute in Bethesda, Md. There he established a
world-renowned program of translational re-
search in antifungal pharmacology, innate host
defenses, and molecular diagnostics of life-threat-
ening and debilitating mycoses of immunocom-
promised children and adults.
As observed by Walsh’s nominator, Elias J.
Anaissie, M.D., of the Myeloma Research Insti-
tute, Little Rock Ark., “His exhaustive body of
laboratory and clinical investigations has been a
paradigm for translational research in advanc-
ing important chemotherapeutic interventions
systematically from in vitro to in vivo systems to
phase-I and to ultimately phase-III clinical tri-
als.” He further stated, “Tom’s laboratory in-
vestigations and clinical research have greatly
advanced the field of antifungal therapy and
have improved the lives of thousands of patients
worldwide, particularly those with hematologi-
cal malignancies and stem cell transplantation in
their battles against invasive candidiasis, as-
pergillosis, and less common but emerging my-
coses such as trichosporonosis, fusariosis, and
zygomycosis.”
In response to a major unmet medical need,
Walsh and his colleagues established a consor-
tium that systematically studied the safety, tol-
erability, and pharmacokinetics of the entire
class of systemic antifungal agents used in pedi-
atric oncology and other immunodeficient chil-
dren during the past 20 years. These transla-
tional research studies assure that children now
receive pharmacokinetically based antifungal
therapy that is comparable to those of adults.
John Rex, M.D., of Astra-Zeneca, who sec-
onded the nomination, further commented,
“Dr. Walsh is a dedicated mentor and inspiring
teacher in the field of antifungal therapy. Under
Tom’s mentorship, numerous fellows have
flourished and made important contributions in
the field of antifungal chemotherapy and phar-
macology.”
Further supporting Walsh’s nomination,
Robert H. Rubin of Harvard Medical School
remarked, “His teaching and mentoring has
created an entire generation of laboratory and
clinical investigators with expertise in anti-
fungal chemotherapy, who continue this impor-
tant mission throughout the world. Finally, his
strength as a world-renowned clinician in anti-
fungal therapy is credited with directly saving
the lives of numerous children and adults with
severe life-threatening invasive fungal infec-
tions. He harnesses his knowledge from his lab-
oratory and clinical research in a seamless tran-
sition to the bedside to make a major impact on
care of patients with life-threatening invasive
fungal infections.”
2010 ICAAC Young
Investigator Awards
The 2010 ICAAC Young Investigator Awards rec-
ognize and reward five early-career scientists for
their research excellence and potential in microbi-
ology and infectious diseases. Since 1983, two
awards have been supported by an unrestricted
Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 349
 educational grant from Merck, U.S. Human
Health Division, while two are sponsored by
ASM. In 2007, an additional award from
Merck, U.S. Human Health Division was added
to recognize excellence in HIV research. Binh An
Diep and Benjamin tenOever are the 2010 lau-
reates for the Merck-sponsored awards, and
Carol Iversen and Manuela Raffatellu are the
2010 laureates for the ASM-sponsored awards.
Catherine Blish is the 2010 laureate for the
Merck-sponsored award for HIV research.
Binh An Diep is honored for his significant
contributions to our understanding of methicil-
lin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ep-
idemiology and pathogenesis. Diep earned his
B.A. in 2000 and his Ph.D. in 2005 from the
University of California, Berkeley, and com-
pleted his postdoctoral training in 2008 at the
University of California, San Francisco. He is
currently an Assistant Adjunct Professor in the
Diep
Department of Medicine, University of Califor-
nia, San Francisco.
Diep’s research is focused on understanding the
genetic basis of increased frequency and severity of
MRSA infections. His published papers in the An-
nals of Internal Medicine, Journal of Infectious
Diseases, and the Lancet report on the emergence
and epidemic spread of a community-associated
MRSA clone called USA300. Diep and his col-
leagues determined mechanisms by which exotox-
ins produced by USA300 cause severe lung necro-
sis, pulmonary edema, alveolar hemorrhage,
profound respiratory failure, and death. Diep is
currently funded by a five-year NIH R01 award
and a Pfizer Young Investigator award to develop
specific treatment strategies to treat staphylococ-
cal pneumonia in the rabbit model.
Diep was nominated by Henry F. Chambers,
University of California, San Francisco.
Benjamin tenOever is acknowledged for his
studies on virus-host interactions and the role of
miRNAs in the cellular response to virus infec-
tion. tenOever completed his postdoctoral train-
ing in Molecular Biology at Harvard University
in 2007 after receiving his Ph.D. in Experimen-
tal Medicine from McGill University in 2004. In
August of 2007, tenOever joined Mount Sinai
School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor of
Microbiology. His work continues to focus on
the intricacies governing the cell’s response to
infection and the subsequent exploitation of
350 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
that knowledge to gener-
ate novel strategies for
vaccine and antiviral
drug design. His research
has been published in
more than a dozen high-
impact journals includ-
ing Science, Immunity,
Proceedings of the Na-
tional Academy of Sci- tenOever
ence, Nature Biotechnol-
ogy, and Cell.
In addition to his research, tenOever has
taught both molecular biology and virology
throughout his scientific training and has be-
come a noted lecturer in that time. While at
Harvard, tenOever also served as assistant di-
rector of the DNA Sequencing and Genotyping
Facility. tenOever presently is a guest lecturer
for Advanced Virology both at Mount Sinai and
at New York University and teaches a medical
microbiology course.
tenOever’s exceptional promise as a microbi-
ologist has been acknowledged with significant
publications in medical journals, international
recognition, and prestigious honors, including
the Presidential Early Career in Science and En-
gineering award, the highest honor bestowed by
the U.S. government on outstanding scientists
and engineers beginning their independent ca-
reers. He was nominated by Peter Palese, Mount
Sinai School of Medicine and Fellow of the
American Academy of Microbiology.
Carol Iversen is best
known for her work re-
classifying the taxonomy
of Enterobacter sakazakii,
which led to the creation
of a new genus called
Cronobacter that includes
six recognized species.
Iversen received her
B.Sc. degree in Applied Iversen
Biology from Notting-
ham Trent University in 1998, after having ini-
tially left school at age 16 to work and raise a
family. She returned to Nottingham Trent Uni-
versity to study the emerging pathogen Enter-
obacter sakazakii, receiving her Ph.D. in 2007.
Iversen’s research provided data on the pres-
ence, persistence, and growth of E. sakazakii in
infant formula. She also conducted a detailed
investigation of the biochemical characteristics
of an extensive collection of strains and an in-
vestigation of virulence factors.
In collaboration with Patrick Druggan (Ox-
oid, U.K.), Iversen worked on the development
of microbiological media to improve the de-
tection and isolation of E. sakazakii. While
working at the Nestlé Research Centre, Iversen
brought together a team of scientists from indus-
try, academia and government research insti-
tutes across Europe and the USA to clarify the
taxonomic description of E. sakazakii. In 2008 a
new genus, Cronobacter, was named within the
Enterobacteriaceae family to house the six spe-
cies groups so far identified.
Iversen moved to Ireland under an IRCSET
postdoctoral fellowship in 2008 to work at the
Centre for Food Safety, University College Dub-
lin. There she led the organization of the 1st
International Conference on Cronobacter from
21–23 January 2009, attracting the leading
Cronobacter researchers in academia, experts
from the food industry, and regulatory profes-
sionals from around the world. She returned to
Switzerland in February 2010 and is currently
based in the Microbiological and Molecular
Analytics group at the Nestlé Research Centre in
Lausanne. With the hope of inspiring children to
follow a career in science, Iversen is currently
funding a “Science Challenge” project within
the nine Primary schools (ages 4 –11) and two
Secondary schools (ages 12–18) in Calderdale,
West Yorkshire, U.K., where she grew up.
Iversen was nominated by Patrick Druggan,
Oxoid Ltd.
Manuela Raffatellu is honored for her funda-
mental contributions to our understanding of
Salmonella pathogenesis and her identification
of novel mechanisms of immune evasion in hu-
man typhoid fever. Raffatellu earned her M.D.
at the University of Sassari, Italy, and completed
her postdoctoral work at
Texas A&M University
and the University of
California, Davis.
Early in her postdoc-
toral studies, Raffatellu
was intrigued by the clin-
ical observation that the
human pathogen Salmo-
nella typhi does not trig-
Raffatellu ger an inflammatory re-
sponse in the gut. Her subsequent work
contributed to the identification of the Vi capsu-
lar antigen as a novel virulence factor promoting
immune evasion by S. typhi.
More recently, Raffatellu’s research has been
focused on the gut pathogen Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium, with the goal of elucidat-
ing its interaction with both immunocompetent
and immunocompromised hosts. Raffatellu be-
came interested in understanding which compo-
nents of the gut inflammatory response prevent
S. enterica serovar Typhimurium from contain-
ing the infection to the mucosa. Her work has
identified a novel role for early T cell responses
and the cytokine IL-17 in preventing S. enterica
serovar Typhimurium dissemination from the
gut, thus benefiting the host. These findings were
published in Nature Medicine in 2008.
Raffatellu subsequently began studying the
mechanisms by which S. enterica serovar Typhi-
murium thrives in the inflamed gut and has since
shown that resistance to lipocalin 2, a host an-
timicrobial peptide that mediates iron withhold-
ing, facilitates S. enterica serovar Typhimurium
colonization of the inflamed gut. S. enterica
serovar Typhimurium resistance to lipocalin 2 is
conferred by the iroBCDEN locus, which en-
codes the siderophore salmochelin. The ability
to acquire iron when lipocalin 2 is expressed is
one of the mechanisms that promote S. enterica
serovar Typhimurium growth in the inflamed
gut. This work was published in Cell Host and
Microbe in 2009 as a featured article and was
selected as a research highlight in Nature Re-
views Microbiology.
Raffatellu established her lab at the University
of California, Irvine in 2008, where she contin-
ues working on the mucosal response to Salmo-
nella. She was nominated by Andreas Bäumler,
University of California, Davis, and Fellow of
the American Academy of Microbiology.
Catherine A. Blish is recognized for her out-
standing work in the area of HIV transmission
to elucidate the role of neutralizing antibodies.
Blish earned her M.D. and Ph.D. from the Uni-
versity of Washington. After completing her res-
idency in internal medicine, she entered the In-
fectious Diseases fellowship at the University of
Washington and began studies of HIV at the
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. She
first characterized a panel of early HIV envelope
variants that were transmitted heterosexually in Blish
Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 351
 Africa. These variants, which had variable neu-
tralization sensitivity, now form the basis of a
panel of standard reagents for evaluating the
neutralizing potential of plasma samples. Dur-
ing these studies, she identified two amino acid
mutations in an early variant that expose con-
served neutralization. When these mutations
were incorporated into immunogens, they did
not generate enhanced neutralizing antibody
breadth in immunized animals, indicating that
exposure of conserved neutralization epitopes
on HIV envelope does not necessarily predict
immunogenicity of that variant. These studies,
published in AIDS, the Journal of Virology, and
PLoS Medicine, demonstrated that transmitted
HIV variants have very diverse neutralization
profiles and highlighted the difficulties in design-
ing protective HIV vaccines.
Blish has continued this work by evaluating
immune correlates of HIV reinfection and co-
10th Anniversary
y
Annual Biomedical Research
Conference for Minority Students
November 10-13, 2010
Charlotte, North Carolina
ABRCMS
The Annual Biomedical Research
Conference for Minority Students
(ABRCMS) is the largest,
multidisciplinary biomedical and
behavioral sciences conference for
undergraduate students, graduate
students, postdoctoral scientists,
faculty and administrators.
URL: www.abrcms.org
352 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
infection. She demonstrated that even individu-
als with relatively broad neutralizing antibody
responses could succumb to superinfection, or
reinfection, with a second strain of HIV. Thus,
preventing HIV infection by vaccination will
likely require broader and more potent neutral-
izing antibody responses than those found in
chronically HIV infected individuals. She is now
extending this work to evaluate whether other
aspects of the immune response correlate with
protection from HIV reinfection. She has also
begun projects examining how coinfections
with pathogens such as helminths and tubercu-
losis alter immunity to HIV. She is currently an
Acting Instructor in Medicine at the University
of Washington and an Associate in the Human
Biology Division at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Research Center.
Blish was nominated by Wesley C. Van Voor-
his, University of Washington.
Important Deadlines
Abstract Submission:
September 10, 2010
Student Travel Award Application:
September 10, 2010
Judges’ Travel Subsidy Application:
September 17, 2010
Discount Registration:
October 15, 2010
E-mail: abrcms@asmusa.org
Divisions
Clinical Microbiology Task
Force Update
The Clinical Microbiology Task Force
was created to assess, prioritize, and over-
see implementation of recommendations
stemming from a meeting between ASM
leadership and senior members of the clin-
ical microbiology community in February
2010. The Task Force membership in-
cludes David Hooper (Chair, ASM Presi-
dent-Elect), Peter Gilligan, Janet Hindler,
Nathan Ledeboer, J. Michael Miller, Rob-
ert Sautter, Joseph Campos, Lucia Roth-
man-Denes, and James Tiedje.
The Task Force had its initial meeting at
the ASM General Meeting and discussed
the priority rankings of issues and the
assessment of these issues by an ad hoc
committee composed of Peter Gilligan,
Carol Rauch, and Susan Sharp. The Task
Force agreed to form six working groups
to assess key action steps and where pos-
sible begin implementation of them by
the time of its next meeting in September
at ICAAC. The working groups and their
chairs are as follows.
• Development of evidence-based prac-
tice guidelines, Susan Sharp and Alice
Weissfeld
• Development of a clinical microbiol-
ogy portal on the ASM website, J.
Michael Miller
• Examine the ASM organizational
structure to determine the optimal
means to meet the needs of clinical
microbiologists, Peter Gilligan
• Examine the ways that ASM can
work with other scientific societies to
ensure there is a unified voice for the
clinical laboratory profession, Vickie
Baselski
• Examine the ways that ASM can
enhance professional development
through mentoring to promote the
profession of clinical microbiology,
Janet Hindler
• Coordinate planning for Clinical Mi-
crobiology sessions for the newly
structured ASM General Meeting in
2011, Robert Sautter
The Task Force and ASM would like to
hear your thoughts about these activities.
Please send your comments to clinmicro
@asmusa.org
Education Board
2010 Functional Genomics
Institute: Connecting
Bioinformatics-Driven
Hypotheses to Wet-Lab Projects
The common soil bacterium and plant
pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens was
the star of the ASM Functional Genomics
Institute, held 6 –11 June 2010 at Hiram
College, Hiram, Ohio. Eleven U.S. biology
faculty members convened for the insti-
tute, where studies of the A. tumefaciens
genome provided the cornerstone for
hands-on lab experiences in functional
genomics. Participants set up matings,
screened and selected for mutants of
interest, and isolated genomic DNA.
“The beauty of incorporating functional
genomics in undergraduate education is
the multiple entry and exit points for stu-
dents to engage in genuine research,” says
Brad Goodner, a professor at Hiram Col-
lege and leader of the institute. Other in-
stitute faculty members included Seth
Axen (U.S. Department of Energy Joint
Genome Institute), Kathryn Reynolds
(Hiram College), Christopher Kvaal (St.
Cloud State University), Kathleen (K.T.)
Scott (University of South Florida), and
Steve Slater (University of Wisconsin).
The process of studying A. tumefa-
ciens—where the genes are, what proteins
they code for, and their putative roles
in the biology— helped the idea of build-
ing an entire undergraduate curriculum
around functional genomics take form.
“The combination of instruction and lab
Participants at the 2010 ASM Functional Genomics Insti-
tute, held 6 –11 June 2010 at Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio.
experiences allowed me to see ‘the big
picture,’ said one participant in a post-
institute survey. “I can now more easily
design multiple projects across several
courses in a way that promotes develop-
mental learning and maintains student in-
terest.”
For many participants, the institute was
transformational. Engaging in authentic
research is challenging for faculty at pre-
dominantly undergraduate institutions,
especially community colleges. With lim-
ited laboratory infrastructure and time as
well as extensive teaching responsibilities,
faculty members from these institutions
frequently see their research interest lapse.
The institute offers these educators a
means of becoming engaged in research
alongside their students. One participant
said, “Here’s my new career in a box, a
new genome (organism) to study, mutants,
related references and papers, vectors,
protocols, reagents. Here’s my chance to
reinvent myself as a scientist.”
Because the institute included five days
of classroom sessions followed by longer
laboratory work, small-group discussions,
and numerous opportunities for socializ-
ing and networking, such as a barbeque,
a campfire, a nature walk, a special lun-
cheon, etc., participants likened the expe-
rience to a summer science camp for
adults.
The Functional Genomics Institute is
managed by ASM and sponsored by the
U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome
Institute and Hiram College. The next in-
stitute will be held in June 2011. To learn
more, visit www.facultyprograms.org.
Educators Share Best Practices
and Student-Learning Research
at ASMCUE 2010
The Town & Country Resort
in San Diego, Calif., provided
an excellent venue for over 300
microbiology and biology fac-
ulty members to share the latest
updates in the biological sci-
ences and education research at
the 17th Annual ASM Confer-
ence for Undergraduate Educa-
tors (ASMCUE) on 20 –23 May
2010. The theme of the meeting,
“One Health, One Earth: A Sus-
tainable Future,” encompassed
Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 353

ASMCUE 2010 Travel Awardees
ASMCUE offers several travel awards that support the conference
attendance of exceptional educators who are learning about under-
graduate research and new instructional pedagogy. The travel award
recipients for this year are as follows:
Textbook Travel Awardee
Enid Gonzalez, California State
University, Sacramento, CA
Early-Career Travel Awardees
Russell Cossaboom, University
of Michigan-Flint, Flint, MI
Linsey Donner, University of
Nebraska Medical Center,
Omaha, NE
Jean Huang, Franklin W. Olin
College of Engineering,
Needham, MA
Jeffrey Olimpo, University of
Maryland, College Park, MD
Jennifer Powell, Gettysburg
College, Gettysburg, PA
Melissa Schreiber, Valencia
Community College,
Orlando, FL
Heidi Smith, Front Range
Community College, Fort
Collins, CO
Julie Torruellas Garcia, Nova
Southeastern University, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL
Faculty Enhancement Program
Awardees
Gina Cano-Monreal, Texas
State Technical College,
Harlingen, TX
Stella Doyungan, Texas A&M
University-Corpus Christi,
Corpus Christi, TX
Gary Patterson, College of the
Marshall Islands, Majuro, MH
Ann Stewart-Akers, South
University, Columbia, SC
Jacqueline Washington, Nyack
College, Nyack, NY
Maureen Whitehurst, Trident
Technical College,
Charleston, SC
354 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
ASM Undergraduate Teaching
Fellowship Awardee
Andrew Mo, The Johns
Hopkins University,
Baltimore, MD
ASM-UNESCO Train-the-
Trainers Scholarship for
International Educators
Awardees
Jane-Francis Akoachere,
University of Buea, SW
Region, Buea, Cameroon
Maria Julia Amoroso,
Universidad Nacional de
Tucumán, Tucumán,
Argentina
Maria Tersita Bertolı́ Avella,
Universidad Dr. José Matı́as
Delgado, La Libertad, El
Salvador
Esperanza C. Cabrera, De La
Salle University, Manila,
Philippines
Ousman Diagne, Institut
Sénégalais de Recherches
Agricoles, Dakar, Senegal
Uchechi Ekwenye, Michael
Okpara University of
Agriculture, Umudike,
Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
Uzoamaka Ogechi George-
Okafor, Enugu State
University of Science and
Technology, Enugu, Enugu
State, Nigeria
Hygia Maria Nunes Guerreiro,
Escola Bahiana de Medicina
e Saúde Pública, Salvador,
Bahia, Brazil
Debananda S. Ningthoujam,
Manipur University,
Canchipur, Imphal,
Manipur, India
the education community’s efforts to sus-
tain both the future of our planet and the
success of students in the sciences.
Stanley Maloy, a professor at University
of California, San Diego, and the confer-
ence’s local organizing chair, provided an
opening lecture that set the tone for four
days of talks from leading scientists, ped-
agogical sessions, exhibits, and poster ses-
sions demonstrating the scholarship of
teaching and learning. This year a record
number of abstracts were submitted for
the poster and “Microbrew” sessions.
Registration numbers also matched an all-
time high set in 2008. In addition, 45% of
the registrants were first-time attendees
and 22 international educators repre-
sented 14 countries.
New this year were collaborations with
several national, National Science Foun-
dation-funded biology education projects,
including the Introductory Biology
Project, Concept Assessments in Biology
Project, and Cyberlearning for Commu-
nity Colleges Project. Leaders in these
groups held preconference focus groups
and presented sessions and posters solicit-
ing and creating opportunities for commu-
nities of practice to evolve around these
subjects.
Also debuting at ASMCUE was the
newly expanded Journal of Microbiology
& Biology Education (JMBE) “2.0”
(http://jmbe.asm.org). Educators were en-
couraged to submit articles and serve as
reviewers for the newly open-access jour-
nal. Perhaps most exciting was the deci-
sion to include the ASMCUE abstracts in
the journal, so authors can showcase their
contribution to the conference.
The next ASMCUE will be held 2–5
June 2011. For details, visit www.asmcue
.org.
International Affairs
ASM Ambassador Participation
in 110th General Meeting
The ASM Ambassador Network includes
18 Ambassadors and 46 Country Liaisons,
which provide the Society with an effective
channel of communication between ASM
headquarters and our worldwide member-
ship. While each Ambassador manages
one of the 20 ASM regions, Country Liai-
sons focus on their particular country of
residence. Ambassadors and Country Liai-
sons are selected based on a range of crite-
ria including history of ASM membership,
level of recognition within their region
or country, and recommendations from
other members. As ASM representatives
around the world, Ambassadors and
Country Liaisons are committed to the
Society. This commitment was highly vis-
ible at the ASM General Meeting in San
Diego, Calif., where 17 ASM Ambassa-
dors and Country Liaisons were in atten-
dance and participated in the International
Membership Committee Meeting, an Am-
bassador Meeting, and an Ambassador
Forum. Said International Membership
Committee (IMC) Chair Edmundo Calva,
“The significant turnout of Ambassadors
and Country Liaisons at the General Meet-
ing was both impressive and exemplary,
as they all traveled great distances, mostly
from developing countries, to participate
with enthusiasm and commitment in the
business meetings pertaining to their re-
sponsibilities, aside from eagerly taking
the opportunity to benefit from the scien-
tific sessions.”
During the International Board (IB)
meeting, Ambassador Caucus Chair
Kwai-Lin Thong led a discussion on the
Ambassador Program and updated the IB
members on the significant accomplish-
ments realized by the Network during the
past year. Thong expressed her apprecia-
tion to all Ambassadors and Country Liai-
sons for their tireless efforts to connect
ASM with microbiologists from around
the world despite their already demanding
schedules.
Ambassadors and Country Liaisons
were also active participants in the IMC
meeting held during the GM. During the
meeting Ambassadors provided keen and
valuable insight on a range of topics, from
membership benefits and rates to network-
ing opportunities from the perspective of
their particular region. Ambassadors and
Country Liaisons also participated in an
Ambassador meeting where they discussed
successes, challenges, and ways to improve
the program.
Finally, several Ambassadors and
Country Liaisons delivered scientific pre-
sentations during the annual Ambassador
Forum. Said Thong, “The quality of the
presentations during the Ambassador
Forum was outstanding, and the diverse
topics reflect the range of the interests of
ASM’s membership that often generate
important ‘cross-discipline’ collabora-
tions.”
The opportunity for Ambassadors and
Country Liaisons to interact with each
other as well as staff and other volunteers
is a highly productive exercise that fosters
a more informed network, a stronger bond
between colleagues, and additional moti-
vation to ensure that ASM continues to
pursue activities that increase its relevance
to microbiologists worldwide.
International Laboratory
Capacity Building: Next Steps
and Beyond
The ASM International Board, through
its International Laboratory Capacity
Building (LabCap) Program, has for the
past several years become significantly
involved in international laboratory ca-
pacity-building efforts. The LabCap Pro-
gram is providing a service component to
ASM by harnessing the expertise of ASM
volunteers and allowing them to transfer
their skills in countries lacking access to
key microbiological resources. At the
2010 ASM General Meeting in San Di-
ego, International Board Chair Keith
Klugman and LabCap Committee Chair
Steven Specter convened a special-inter-
est session entitled “International Labo-
ratory Capacity Building: Next Steps
and Beyond.” The session discussed
global achievements made in the arena of
building laboratory capacity for diag-
nosing major infectious diseases in re-
source-limited countries, as well as ex-
ASM Ambassadors at the 2010 ASM General Meeting.
plained next steps and future prospects
for scaling up and further strengthening
of these efforts. It was of special interest
particularly in light of the threats posed
globally by new emerging infections and
anti-microbial drug resistance.
Speakers included John Nkengasong of
the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
vention Center for Global Health; Mau-
rine Murtagh of the Clinton Health Access
Initiative; May Chu of the World Health
Organization; Robert Martin of the
University of Washington, Seattle; and
MacArthur Charles of the Weill Medical
College of Cornell University.
The speakers focused on the impor-
tance of achieving public health labora-
tory accreditation in developing nations
via a stepwise approach, as well as high-
lighting existing efforts to strengthen
laboratory systems and emerging infec-
tion diagnosis and surveillance in re-
source-limited environments. The need
to reinforce antimicrobial susceptibility
testing and workforce development ac-
tivities received special emphasis. Ses-
sion attendees also received an update on
priorities for strengthening public health
laboratories systems in post-earthquake
Haiti.
2010 ASM International
Affairs Fellowship and
Professorship Recipients
The ASM International Education Com-
mittee (IEC) is pleased to announce the
winners of Round Two of the 2010 ASM
International Fellowships and Professor-
ships. These programs strive to put the
IEC’s Strategic Plan into action
by providing high-quality edu-
cation and training programs to
microbiologists and institutions
at all levels, fostering the pro-
fessional development of inter-
national microbiologists, and
promoting excellence in the mi-
crobiological sciences through
scholarly exchange. To learn
more about how to apply for
these programs, please visit:
www.asm.org/international/
grants.
ASM International Fellowships
The International Fellowship
Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 355
Program encourages research and training project “Chemical and genetic identifica- linezolid” with Cesar Arias at the Univer-
collaborations in microbiological sciences tion of phage receptors in Lactobacillus sity of Texas Medical School, Houston.
worldwide by enabling early career scien- plantarum.”
tists or students from developing countries
to visit the host laboratories of experi-
Fernando Sorroche,
enced ASM members. The International Mariella Guere, a
a Ph.D. Student at
Fellows for Round Two, 2010 are listed D.V.M. Student at
Rı́o Cuarto Na-
below. San Marcos Major
tional University in
National University
Marelize Van Wyk, Rı́o Cuarto, Argen-
in Lima, Peru, was
a Medical Scientist tina, was awarded
awarded an ASM-
at the National In- an ASM Interna-
PAHO Infectious
stitute for Commu- tional Fellowship
Diseases Epidemiol-
nicable Diseases for Latin America
ogy & Surveillance
(NICD) in Johan- Sorroche and the Caribbean
Guere Fellowship to pur-
nesburg, South Af- to pursue the re-
sue the research
rica, was awarded search project “Burkholderia tuberum
project “Comparison of resistance levels
an ASM Interna- cell-cell interactions: influence of EPS II
to oxacillin in methicillin-resistant Staph-
Van Wyk tional Fellowship from Sinorhizobium meliloti” with Ann
ylococcus aureus (SARM) in pig farming
for Africa to pursue Hirsch at the University of California at
in Lima, Peru” with Robert Skov at the
the research project “Molecular compari- Los Angeles.
Statens Serum Institute in Copenhagen,
son of cryptococcal isolates from incident
Denmark.
and recurrent disease episodes” with host
Thomas Mitchell at Duke University Med- Nicolas Vozza, a
ical Center in Durham, N.C. Doctoral Fellow at
Fundacion Instituto
Anna Perevalova, a Leloir in Buenos Gabriel Lozano, a
Research Scientist Aires, Argentina, master’s student at
at the Winogradsky was awarded an Universidad de los
Institute of Microbi- ASM International Andes in Bogota,
ology in the Russian Fellowship for Latin Colombia, was
Academy of Science, America and the awarded an ASM-
Moscow, Russia, was Caribbean to pursue PAHO Infectious
Vozza
awarded an ASM the research project Diseases Epidemiol-
International Fellow- “Rhizobium leguminosarum on continu- ogy & Surveillance
Perevalova ship for Asia to ous flow conditions and the role of adhe- Fellowship to pur-
Lozano
pursue the research sion factors on biofilm development” with sue the research
project “Molecular basis for cellulose degra- Soeren Molin at the Center for Systems project “Screening for genes for antibiotic
dation and hydrogen production capabili- Microbiology in the Technical University resistance in various metagenomic librar-
ties of Desulfurococcus fermentans, a hy- of Denmark in Lyngby, Denmark. ies constructed with DNA samples iso-
perthermophilic crenarchaeon” with Biswa- lated from USA and/or Colombia” with Jo
rup Mukhopadhyay at the Virginia Poly- Handelsman at the Yale University in New
technic Institute and State University in Sandra Diaz, a Haven, Conn.
Blacksburg, Va. Ph.D. student at
Pontificia Univer-
Mariángeles Brigg- sidad Javeriana in
iler Marcó, a doc- Bogotá, Colombia, ASM International Professorships
toral student at the was awarded an The International Professorship Pro-
Universidad Nacio- ASM-PAHO Infec- gram provides microbiological expertise
nal del Litoral in tious Diseases Epi- to faculty and students throughout the
Santa Fe, Argentina, demiology & Sur- world. The program enables an ASM
was awarded an Diaz veillance Fellowship member who is scientifically recognized
ASM International to pursue the re- in his/her area to travel to an institution
Fellowship for Latin search project “Evaluation of MRSA of higher learning in a developing coun-
Marcó America and the Ca- pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance in try to teach an interactive short course
ribbean to work Drosophila melanogaster: focus on a new on a topic in any of the microbiological
with Sylvain Moineau at the Université variant of USA300 community-associated disciplines. The International Professors
Laval, Québec, Canada, on the research MRSA and the role of cfr in resistance to for Round Two of 2010 are listed below.

356 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010

 Michael Benedik, a Soledad Benitez at the Escuela Politecnica Atul Kumar Johri,
Professor at Texas del Ejercito in Sangolqui, Ecuador. an Assistant Profes-
A&M University in sor at the Jawahar-
College Station, was Robert Bonomo, a Professor at Case West- lal Nehru University
awarded an ASM in New Delhi, India,
ern Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio,
International Pro- was awarded an
was awarded an ASM-PAHO Infectious
fessorship for Africa Indo-U.S. Research
Diseases Epidemiology & Surveillance
to teach a course on Professorship to visit
Professorship to teach a course entitled
Microbial Genetics Robert Stroud at the
“Mechanisms of resistance and clinical
Benedik and Biotechnology Johri University of Cali-
impact of Acinetobacter baumannii infec-
with host Dr. fornia San Francisco
tions in Colombia” with host Maria Ville-
Mathew Olusoji Ilori at the University of to perform a research project entitled
gas at the Centro Internacional de Entre-
Lagos, Nigeria. “Structural studies of a phosphate trans-
namiento e Investigaciones Medicas porter gene (PiPT) from endophytic fun-
(CIDEIM) in Cali, Colombia. gus Piriformospora indica.”
Yousef Abu Kwaik,
a Professor and
Bumgardner En- Annette Fothergill,
dowed Chair in an Assistant Profes-
Branches: ASM Activities
Molecular Patho- sor and Technical at the Local Level
genesis at the Uni- Director at Univer-
versity of Louisville, sity of Texas Health ASM Postdoctoral Chapter
Louisville, Ky., was Science Center in
awarded an ASM On 26 May 2010, the first American Soci-
San Antonio, was ety for Microbiology postdoctoral chapter
Kwaik International Pro- awarded an ASM-
fessorship for Asia was approved at the ASM council meeting.
PAHO Infectious The chapter was proposed by postdoctoral
to teach a course on cellular microbiology Diseases Epidemiol-
Fothergill scientists at the Wadsworth Center, New
with host Dina Bitar at Al-Quds University ogy & Surveillance
in Jerusalem. York State Department of Health and Al-
Professorship to teach a course entitled bany Medical College with the support of
“Antifungal susceptibility testing and re- the ASM Eastern New York Branch.
Wondwossen Ge- sistance issues” with host Angela Restrepo The need to create a postdoctoral chap-
breyes, an Associate at the Corporacion para Investigaciones ter came from the fact that many post-
Professor at Ohio Biologicas in Medellin, Colombia. doctoral scientists took advantage of all
State University in
of the opportunities offered by ASM at the
Columbus, was
student level including the establishment
awarded an ASM Indo-U.S. Professorships in Microbiology of chapters. Unfortunately, upon transi-
International Pro- This Professorship Program encour- tioning to the postdoctoral level, individu-
fessorship for Latin ages scientific partnerships between the als were no longer eligible for full mem-
America and the United States and India and is sponsored bership in student chapters. Additionally,
Gebreyes Caribbean to teach by the Indo-U.S. Science & Technology postdoctoral members are too junior to
a course entitled Forum. enjoy all of the benefits available for more
“Molecular epidemiologic techniques and
senior microbiologists at the faculty level.
applications in foodborne and nosocomial
Postdoctoral scientists, unlike students and
pathogens” with host Celso Oliveira at the
Bijender Bajaj, As- faculty members, are in a period of transi-
Federal University of Paraiba, Brazil.
sistant Professor at tion in their careers and thus there is an
Jorge Rodrigues, an the University of important need for a common place for
Assistant Professor Jammu in Jammu, resources such as networking, travel
at University of India, was awarded awards, fellowships, and professional de-
Texas, Arlington, an Indo-U.S. Re- velopment opportunities.
was awarded an search Professorship ASM offers all of these great resources
ASM International to perform a research for postdoctoral scientists, but this in-
Professorship for project entitled “De- formation can be further communicated
Latin America and Bajaj velopment of cost- through the implementation of ASM post-
the Caribbean to effective technology doctoral chapters at the grass-roots level.
Rodrigues teach a course enti- for production of cellulase and xylanase Having ASM postdoctoral chapters is in-
tled “Microbial di- enzymes with industrial process suitabil- credibly powerful since it provides a cen-
versity and metagenomics: science, tech- ity” with Thaddeus Ezeji at The Ohio State tral source of information for members
nology, and applications” with host Maria University in Wooster. and it also provides the Society with a

Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 357


Wadsworth Center and Albany Medical College members
of the ASM Postdoctoral Chapter. (l-r) Kris Spaeth, Gwen- started the Forum off with a
dowlyn S. Knapp, Magdia De Jesus, Timothy J. Sellati bang by showing a video she
(Faculty Advisor), Jennifer Wilson-Welder, and Sarah N. made of an event in which her
Buss.
group of talented young scientists that are
about to make the transition to indepen-
dence and even fuller participation in the
national ASM.
At the Wadsworth Center and Albany
Medical College we strongly and enthusi-
astically agree that the purpose of the
ASM postdoctoral chapters is (i) To pro-
mote communication amongst postdoc-
toral members interested in microbiology;
(ii) to provide scientific and career guid-
ance for new postdoctoral members inter-
ested in microbiology; (iii) to facilitate in-
tellectual exchange between members
and promote faculty/ postdoctoral mem-
ber interactions; (iv) to promote aware-
ness of career and networking opportuni-
ties available in the field of microbiology;
(v) to sponsor meetings where outside
speakers will be invited; and (vi) to en-
courage activities between the local post-
doctoral chapters and the national Society.
We invite other postdoctoral members
to establish their own postdoctoral chap-
ters and continue to use the American
Society for Microbiology as a valuable
career tool.
Magdia De Jesus
Wadsworth Center, New York State
Department of Health
Albany, N.Y.
Branch Officers’ Forum:
Come Join Us!
The 2010 General Meeting of the Ameri-
can Society for Microbiology is in the his-
358 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
tory books. As in past years, the
meeting started for many of us
with the Branch Officers’ Fo-
rum, where Branch officers met
with the Branch Organization
Committee (BOC) and other
representatives of National
ASM to network, share Branch
success stories, and make plans
for the upcoming year.
The Forum agenda included
several presentations that sup-
ported this year’s Branch theme,
Come Join Us! Iris Chen of the
Hawaii Branch Student Chapter
Chapter participated, the 53rd
Hawaii State Science and Engi-
neering Fair. The video captured the en-
ergy and enthusiasm of the event and dem-
onstrated how valuable digital media can
be. By recording the event on video and
posting it on an easy-to-find website, the
Chapter hopes to interest others in its ac-
tivities. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one in
the audience who was thinking, “How
can I join them for their next event?”
Go to http://www.hawaii.edu/scasm/stuff
/53rdscifair.mov to view the video.
Next, Northern California Branch
Councilor Dr. Daniel Mills discussed his
Branch’s highly successful workshop on
Anaerobes, “Anaerobes You ‘Otter’
Know,” which was conducted in con-
junction with the California Veterinary
Medical Association. The workshop fea-
tured multimedia from Anaerobe Sys-
tems, Inc., an outstanding faculty, and a
keynote lecture focused on Clostridium
perfringens in the California sea otter
population. Mills reported that the
meeting’s success can be attributed in
part to Branch website improvements
which include an easy-to-use meeting
registration component, and to the
Branch’s commitment to providing in-
clusive and interesting programming.
Diane M. Citron, Southern California
Branch President, gave a presentation in
which she highlighted several successful
Branch events and explained her Branch’s
approach to meeting planning. The take-
home message: start early, sweat the de-
tails, and make sure everyone has fun
while learning—a perfect combination.
The final Branch presentation was from
Silvia Rossbach, Michigan Branch Coun-
cilor, who gave an overview of her very
active and vibrant Branch. Of particular
note is the Branch’s commitment to stu-
dents, as evidenced by their nine active
Student Chapters. Among their many ac-
tivities, the Branch and Chapters focus on
outreach to the K-12 audience.
Ron Butler, Director of ASM’s Informa-
tion Technology, reviewed the tools avail-
able on the new ASM Community website
(best described as Facebook on steroids),
http://community.asm.org, including blog,
calendaring, wiki, and group features. The
buzz around the tables was how many
Branch members are already using ASM
Community and how easy it is to use. The
BOC welcomes the Branches’ rapid adop-
tion of the tools and hopes they will prove
useful as Branches work to fulfill the core
missions of facilitating networking among
members and providing interesting and in-
clusive programming.
The Forum ended on an upbeat note—
Regional Planning Coordinators (RPCs)
Nellie Dumas, Kenneth Goodrum,
Daniel Lim, Michael Sadowsky, and
Terry Else expressed their delight with
the enthusiasm displayed by Branch of-
ficers. RPCs are confident Branches will
excel this year and are looking forward
to hearing more success stories in New
Orleans in 2011 when the Branch Offic-
ers’ Forum will again kick off another
successful ASM General Meeting. Fi-
nally, Forum participants publicly ac-
knowledged and thanked Allen Laskin
for his many dedicated years of service to
ASM and its Branches. Allen completed
his term as the RPC for Region II this
year. The BOC has benefited greatly
from Allen’s wise counsel over his many
years of service. He will be missed, but
the lessons he has taught us will not be
soon forgotten. Allen was the inspiration
for this year’s theme, Come Join Us! So
from all of us associated with Branches,
please do.
To learn of your next opportunity to
participate in ASM Branch programming
and networking opportunities, go to http:
//www.asm.org/index.php?option⫽com
_content&view⫽article&id⫽398&Itemid
⫽156.
Michael G. Schmidt
Chair, Branch Organization Committee
Membership
Award
The University of Maryland College of
Chemical & Life Sciences recently in-
ducted Philip J. Provost into its Circle of
Discovery. The Circle of Discovery was
inaugurated in 2007 to honor members of
the University of Maryland community for
their visionary leadership and outstanding
research in the biosciences and chemistry.
Provost, who received his Ph.D. in mi-
crobiology from the University of Mary-
land in 1961, was honored for pioneering
laboratory research on the hepatitis A vi-
rus while working in Maurice Hilleman’s
laboratory at Merck, which led to the de-
velopment of a vaccine against the virus.
Other members of the Circle of Discovery
are Constance Cepko, Gary D. Christian,
Theodor O. Diener, Elisabeth Gantt,
George H. Lorimer, Geerat J. Vermeij,
John D. Weeks, and ASM past presidents
Walter R. Dowdle and Rita R. Colwell. A
permanent display honoring these pio-
neering scientists is located in the colon-
nade of the university’s Bioscience Re-
search Building.
Deceased Member
Nino F. Insalata, a native of New York
state, died on 7 May 2010 at the age of 83.
Insalata received his undergraduate and
graduate degrees from St. John’s Univer-
sity in New York. He spent 35 years work-
ing in the field of industrial microbiology
research. He worked for National Distill-
ers Corporation from 1949 –1953 and for
General Foods-Kraft from 1953 until
1983, when he retired as Principal Scien-
tist. While at General Foods he was recog-
nized as “an expert in his field, both na-
tionally and internationally . . . [acting] as
a consultant and corporate microbiologist
. . . and displayed exceptional competence
in his field.”
As chief microbiologist at National Dis-
tillers, he identified microbiological prob-
lems in plants and products, oversaw 30
national and international facilities, estab-
lished quality control tests and specifici-
ties, and identified the role of carbonic acid
as a microbial suppressant in beverages.
As senior laboratory manager of micro-
biological research at General Foods, he
established in-process and final product
microbiological specifications for foods
and produced reports on other business
prospects to assess their technical profi-
ciency and regulatory or health risks.
These reports aided in decisions to acquire
companies or technologies by General
Foods. While at General Foods, he devel-
oped microbiological standards for raw
materials and final products and identified
risks in new products, standardized micro-
biological methods and specifications, and
audited all quality control and consulting
labs. Insalata patented everninomycin for
controlling botulinum spores, developed
the first AOAC-approved fluorescent anti-
body method for detecting salmonellae in
foods, developed a method for detection of
botulinum toxin in commercially prepared
foods, and developed a rapid method for
detection of coagulase-positive staphylo-
cocci in foods. In the course of his career
Insalata published 30 peer-reviewed pub-
lications and was issued 8 patents. He was
a member of 12 professional associations,
including ASM.
Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 359
Reviews and Resources
BOOK
The New Plagues—
Pandemics and Poverty
In a Globalized World
Stefan H. E. Kaufmann. Haus Publishing,
London, 2009, 270 p., $14.95 (paperback).
This short paperback appears to be an in-
troduction to infectious diseases for the
layman. It is part of the initiative “Encour-
aging Sustainability” and hopes to “enable
as many people as possible to form their
own opinions about the globalization of
infectious diseases in the modern, net-
worked world.”
Many universities are now requiring in-
coming freshmen to read challenging and
thought-provoking texts. This book well
fits that description and certainly deserves
to be considered for such programs.
The chapters are brief but concise. They
begin with “The Invaders” and “The De-
fenders,” briefly introducing the reader
to disease-producing organisms and then
discussing immune responses. A some-
what longer chapter considers the “Co-
existence of Mankind and Microbe.” The
author notes that human development, in-
cluding changes in nutrition and adapta-
tion away from nomadic life, as well as
animal husbandry, led to the onset of epi-
demics. The chapter also discusses micro-
bial strategies, coexistence and symbiosis,
and the role of viral carcinogens such
as Helicobacter, human papillomavirus,
and the hepatitis B and C viruses. Many
diseases must be considered as multidi-
mensional systems, i.e., interaction with
environmental and genetic factors, rather
than assuming that a pathogen causes dis-
ease simply by direct action.
The major chapter in the book, “More
Than a Body Count: the Major Infectious
Diseases,” takes up almost 100 of the less
than 300 pages of text. It begins with an
overview of respiratory, diarrheal, and
food-induced diseases, continues with the
so-called “children’s diseases” and prob-
360 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
lems with immunization, and then dis-
cusses AIDS. The present worldwide situ-
ation regarding this disease is elucidated,
and the societal factors involved (“A virus
by itself does not make an illness”) are
considered. Suggestions for interruption
of spread, including potential vaccines, as
well as the drawbacks associated with cost
for so doing, are discussed.
The chapter continues with an overview
of the tuberculosis problem, focusing on
South Africa and Russia, and noting that
complacency has been our worst enemy.
Almost 345 times as much money was
spent to fight HIV infection by the World
Bank in 2005 and almost 50 times as much
was focused on malaria programs in Af-
rica. Compounding the problem is the fact
that 15 million people are concurrently
infected with AIDS. Of course, HIV infec-
tion compounds another problem, i.e. im-
munization of immunocompromised chil-
dren—another example of “interaction.”
A brief section on malaria (and the DDT
controversy) leads the reader to a discus-
sion of influenza from a historical as well
as a microbial viewpoint. Avian influenza
(specifically H5N1) is discussed at length.
Unfortunately, at the time of publication,
the author did not foresee the recent out-
break of swine flu. A brief description of
SARS is followed by a short section on
tropical diseases. I would refer the reader
to Peter Hotez’s Forgotten People, Forgot-
ten Diseases for a true evaluation of how
unaware the Western world is of these
scourges of the developing world.
Two short chapters deal with anti-
microbials and immunization. The latter
emphasizes modes of action, resistance,
nosocomial infections, and the problems
associated with the addition of antibiotics
to animal feed. Insofar as vaccines are
concerned, the author admits that none
of them are perfect but that they save five
million lives each year. When the diseases
against which they protect have been erad-
icated, he says, then we will be able to con-
sider suspending immunization programs.
A chapter entitled “Poverty and Infec-
tious Diseases from a Global Point of
View” emphasizes organizations and
goals. In the present worldwide economic
climate it seems that nongovernmental
foundations and organizations may prove
more effective than vague promises from
highly publicized summit meetings.
In “Swimming against the Tide” we
learn, not surprisingly, that pharmaceuti-
cal research emphasizes development of
drugs that will sell well in developed coun-
tries, with only 10% targeted towards dis-
eases in developing countries, where 90%
of the global disease burden is concen-
trated. Blockbuster drugs are what ensure
economic viability for the pharmaceutical
companies.
What are the hot spots for old and new
epidemics? The poor and the sick, catas-
trophes and conflicts, transmission from
research laboratories, climate change with
its associated localized increase in vectors
as a result of higher temperatures, excur-
sions into the wilderness (logging and ex-
portation of exotic animals, e.g. Ebola,
Marburg disease and other illnesses), ani-
mal farms as breeding grounds for disease
through crowding, improper use of antibi-
otics, the leap of animal diseases to other
species (e.g. BSE, SARS and bird flu).
Kaufman sees human-animal interaction
as the gravest threat of a new pandemic.
In the book’s conclusion, entitled “Five
To or Five Past Twelve,” the author sug-
gests a 10-point program for the control of
infectious diseases. Some of them, such as
making intensive use of available interven-
tion measures, seem a little more doable
than combating poverty. Many of them
bring to my mind my father’s words,
“Whatever you do, you have to remain an
optimist.” We have made great strides.
The author tells us that we have to finish
the job, or at least attempt to do that.
Fred Rosenberg
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Application Deadlines
FEATURED ASM PROGRAMS
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(VRP) Program. Planning an international trip
within the next 6 months? UNESCO and ASM The Application Deadlines section provides ASM members with information about
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share your knowledge with scientists around available to members on the website at http://www.asm.org/membersonly
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Deadline for abstract submission: 10 September area of antimicrobial resistance at an institution

Call for 2011–2013 Research Mentors for the
ASM Microbiology Undergraduate Research
Fellowship. Want to be a host mentor? Don’t
wait—apply today. Applications are available.
Your influence can have a wonderful impact on
a minority science student. ASM seeks partner-
ship with an ASM member research mentor at a
research intensive institution to leverage sup-
port of the fellowship program.
WWW: www.asm.org/students
Deadline: 15 August 2010.
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for
Minority Students (ABRCMS). The ABRCMS
is designed to encourage underrepresented mi-
nority students to pursue advanced training in
the biomedical and behavioral sciences, includ-
ing mathematics and provide faculty mentors
and advisors with resources for facilitating stu-
dents’ success. ABRCMS is an opportunity for
undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, and gradu-
ate students to present their research through a
poster or oral presentation and expand their
scientific and professional developmental
knowledge through innovative sessions, as well
as networking opportunities. Participants also
learn about graduate schools, summer research
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Conference will be held in Charlotte, N.C., on
10 –13 November 2010.
WWW: www.abrcms.org
2010.
ASM 2011 General Meeting Awards. ASM is
dedicated to acknowledging the best in micro-
biology. ASM Awards, administered by the
American Academy of Microbiology, are given
annually to reward outstanding accomplish-
ment in research, education, and service.
WWW: www.asm.org/ASMAwards
Deadline: 1 October 2010.
ASM International Professorships for Africa,
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Take advantage of this opportunity to share
your knowledge with young scientists around
the world! This program provides funding to
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ica and the Caribbean.
WWW: http://www.asm.org/International/pro-
fessorship.
Deadline: 15 October 2010.
ASM-PAHO Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
and Surveillance Professorship. This program,
funded by ASM and PAHO, provides support
to an ASM member from the US who is scien-
tifically recognized in his/her area to teach a
hands-on, highly interactive short course in the
of higher learning in Bolivia, Colombia, Costa
Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El
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the Visiting Teaching Professorship or to col-
laborate with an established scientist through
the Visiting Research Professorship.
WWW: http://www.asm.org/International/pro-
fessorship.
Deadline: 15 October 2010.
ASM Scientific Writing and Publishing Institute.
Do you want to learn how to write and submit
manuscripts, write a great abstract, and select a
journal for submission? The Scientific Writing
and Publishing Institute is four days of
hands-on intensive training in scientific writing
and publishing under mentorship of ASM Jour-
nal editors and reviewers. Institute will be held
18 –21 March 2010.
WWW: www.asmgap.org
Deadline: 15 November 2010.

Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 361

ASM Meetings Calendar
30 July–2 August 2010.
3rd ASM Conference on Enterococci.
Portland, Oreg.
Contact: ASM Conferences, 1752 N Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20036-2940;
tel., (202) 942-9261; fax, (202) 942-9340;
e-mail, Conferences@asmusa.org;
WWW, http://www.asm.org/Meetings
/index.asp?bid⫽703
12–15 September 2010.
50th ICAAC
Boston, Mass.
Contact: ASM, 1752 N Street NW, Washing-
ton, DC 20036; tel., (202) 737-3600; fax,
(202) 943-9340; e-mail, icaac@asmusa.org;
WWW, http://www.icaac.org.
26 –30 September 2010.
2nd ASMET-The ASM Emerging Technolo-
gies Conference.
Cancun, Mexico.
Contact: ASM Conferences, 1752 N Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20036-2940;
tel., (202) 942-9261; fax, (202) 942-9340;
e-mail, Conferences@asmusa.org;
25–29 October 2010.
3rd ASM Conference on Beneficial Microbes.
Miami, Fla.
Contact: ASM Conferences, 1752 N Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20036-2940;
tel., (202) 942-9261; fax, (202) 942-9340;
e-mail, Conferences@asmusa.org;
About the Calendar
The ASM Meetings Calendar is provided as a service to readers of Microbe. It includes
annual meetings and conferences organized by the Society. Detailed information for
these events is published in the ASM Meetings and Conferences insert, which appears
bimonthly in the center of Microbe.
As an added benefit of membership in ASM, an online calendar of microbiology-
related meetings hosted by ASM and by other organizations is available on the
ASM website. This expanded online calendar is accessible only to ASM members.
Any organization may submit items for the online calendar provided that submis-
sions are of obvious interest to microbiologists. ASM will not permit announce-
ments to appear in the calendar when the subject matter and dates conflict with
ASM meetings or workshops. The calendar is located at http://community.asm
.org/index.php?page-events.
All entries in the online calendar are limited to conference name, dates, location,
website, and contact information (person, address, telephone, fax, and/or e-mail).
When websites and e-mail addresses are provided, links to them will be established.
Because of the volume of submissions received, ASM staff is unable to provide proofs
or other confirmation of receipt of each listing. Events are posted within 2 to 4 weeks
of submission and extend beyond one year. Please include the name and telephone
number or e-mail address of a contact person in case there are questions about your
item.
Submit items for the online calendar at http://www.asm.org/memz_e-cal/cal.asp.
For mailed items, our address is ASM, 1752 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 –
2904.

10 –13 November 2010.

Annual Biomedical Research Conference for
Minority Students.
Charlotte, N.C.
Contact: ASM Education Department, 1752 N
Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036;
tel., (202) 942-9348; fax, (202) 942-9329;
e-mail, abrcms@asmusa.org; WWW, http://
www.abrcms.org/index.html.
6 –9 February 2011.
ASM Conference on Viral Genome Replication.
Banff, Canada.
Contact: ASM Conferences, 1752 N Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20036-2940;
tel., (202) 942-9261; fax, (202) 942-9340;
e-mail, biodefense@asmusa.org
7–11 March 2011.
ASM Conference on Regulating with RNA in
Bacteria.
Cancun, Mexico.
Contact: ASM Conferences, 1752 N Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20036-2940;
tel., (202) 942-9261; fax, (202) 942-9340;
e-mail, Conferences@asmusa.org

6 –9 February 2011.
9th Annual ASM Biodefense and Emerging
Diseases Research Meeting.
Washington, D.C.
Contact: ASM Conferences, 1752 N Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20036-2940;
tel., (202) 942-9261; fax, (202) 942-9340;
e-mail, biodefense@asmusa.org
For more meetings and conferences,
see the website at http://www.asm
.org/Meetings/index.asm?bid⫽470.
21–24 May 2011.
11th ASM General Meeting.
New Orleans, LA.
Contact: ASM, 1752 N Street NW, Washing-
ton, DC 20036; tel., (202) 737-3600; fax,
(202) 942-9340; e-mail,
generalmeeting@asmusa.org.

362 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010

Employment
Positions Available
Assistant Professor, Biological
Sciences
The Department of Biological Sciences at Mis-
sissippi State University invites applications for
a 9-month, tenure-track faculty position at the
rank of Assistant Professor, beginning fall 2010
or spring 2011. We seek a microbiologist with
expertise in microbial genetics or microbial
ecology, but other areas of microbiology will
definitely be considered. The successful candi-
date will be expected to contribute to the micro-
biology degree program by (1) developing an
active, externally funded research program that
includes directing M.S. and Ph.D. students; and
(2) teaching courses at the undergraduate and
graduate levels in the microbiology curriculum.
Minimum qualifications: Ph.D. or equivalent
degree in microbiology or a related discipline
and relevant postdoctoral experience. Appli-
cants should submit a CV, statements of re-
search and teaching interests, and reprints of up
to three representative publications. Applicants
should arrange for three letters of reference to
be submitted electronically. All application ma-
terials should be emailed to Dr. Nancy Reichert,
Head, Department of Biological Sciences,
nar1@msstate.edu, email address. Please visit
our website at http://msstate.edu/dept/bio
sciences/ for information about the department.
All applicants must apply online at www.jobs
.msstate.edu. MSU is an AA/EOE.
Research Associate, Metabolic
Engineering
Research Associate, Metabolic Engineering De-
partment sought by Metabolix, Inc., a leading
Biotechnology company, for design and con-
struction of recombinant DNA molecules and
for genetic transformation of polymer-produc-
ing microbial strains and plant cells, located in
Cambridge, MA. Requires a Master’s degree or
equivalent in Molecular Genetics, Biology,
Plant Science, or related field and experience in
biotechnology in the field of polyhydroxyal-
kanoates. If qualified, send resume to: Human
Resources, Metabolix, Inc., 21 Erie Street,
Cambridge, MA 02139 or hrjobs@metabolix
.com. Please reference job code RA1002.
Faculty Position—Virology
The Department of Microbiology at U.T.
Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas seeks a
new faculty member in molecular virology at
the Assistant Professor (tenure track) level. The
appointee will be expected to develop a front-
Employment Advertising
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institutional subscribers. Lead time for employment ads is about 3 weeks. Microbe is
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Volume 5, Number 8, 2010 / Microbe Y 363
rank, competitive, independent research pro-
gram that focuses on one or more aspects of the
viral life cycle (host-pathogen interactions, viral
pathogenesis, disruption of viral replication,
command or subversion of host cell processes,
etc.), and that will complement existing pro-
grams in poliovirus, HCV, yellow fever virus,
HIV, KSHV, and viral oncogenesis. Research
on any virus of medical relevance is of interest.
The appointee will contribute to the teaching of
medical and graduate students. Attractive
start-up packages, including a competitive sal-
ary and new laboratory space, are available to
conduct research in an expanding, dynamic en-
vironment. For exceptional candidates, an En-
dowed Scholars Program offers start-up funds
of $700,000 (plus $300,000 towards salary
support) over a four-year period. Candidates
should have a Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree with at
least three years of postdoctoral experience and
an exceptional publication record. Candidates
please forward a c.v., three letters of recommen-
dation, two or three representative publica-
tions, and a brief summary of future research to
Dr. Michael V. Norgard, Chair, Department of
Microbiology, U.T. Southwestern Medical Cen-
ter, 6000 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX
75390 –9048 (michael.norgard@utsouth
western.edu). U.T. Southwestern is an Equal
Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Postdoctoral Position
An NIH-funded postdoctoral position is avail-
able to study horizontal DNA transfer in the
periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingiva-
lis. The successful applicant will use molecular
techniques to identify genes important for inter-
strain DNA transfer, and will use cell culture
and biofilm model systems to characterize phe-
notypic effects. Applicants should have a Ph.D.
or equivalent in Microbiology or related field.
Please send a cover letter, CV, and contact in-
formation for three references to Dr. Gena
Tribble, Department of Periodontics, University
of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, 6516 MD
Anderson Blvd., Houston, TX 77030; e-mail,
Gena.D.Tribble@uth.tmc.edu. See www.uth
.tmc.edu/postdocs/ for further information.
364 Y Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
Research Associate—Pathogenesis of
Haemophilus influenzae
The Research Institute at Nationwide Chil-
dren’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, seeks a Re-
search Associate interested in joining a labora-
tory devoted to studying the pathogenesis of
Haemophilus influenzae. Specifically, the asso-
ciate will work under the supervision of Dr.
Subinoy Das, a sinus surgeon, to study the role
of Haemophilus in the development of chronic
sinusitis. Work will include in vitro imaging and
study of biofilms, in vivo development of a
chinchilla model of chronic sinusitis based on a
successful model of otitis media, biomarker
analysis of clinical samples, and understanding
of the clinical manifestations of chronic sinus-
itis. The successful applicant will be indepen-
dent, highly motivated, with a strong work
ethic, and have a track record of successful
publications. Please go to www.nationwide
childrens.org /research/Find a Career/Research
Associate in Microbial Pathogenesis for more
details. Nationwide Children’s Hospital is an
equal opportunity employer that values diver-
sity. Candidates of diverse backgrounds are en-
couraged to apply.
Postdoctoral Researcher—
Yeast/Proline/ Oxidative Stress
A postdoctoral research associate position in
the Institute of Plant Genomics and Biotechnol-
ogy, Texas A&M University, is available imme-
diately. This project has two components: (1)
Characterize the mechanisms by which proline
ameliorates oxidative stress and inhibits pro-
grammed cell death. (2) Development of an
efficient transformation system for an oleagenic
yeast. Experience in yeast manipulation, trans-
formation, genetics and molecular biology are
essential. Experience with mammalian cell cul-
ture and Illumina sequencing desirable. Send
C.V. and names of three references to Dr. Marty
Dickman, Director, IPGB; mbdickman@tamu
.edu. Texas A&M University is an AA/EOE.
Faculty Position
The Center For Comparative Medicine, Schools
of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Univer-
sity of California, Davis. Candidates are sought
for a tenure-track position at the level of Assis-
tant or Associate Professor/Assistant or Associ-
ate Professor in Residence in the Center for
Comparative Medicine, a research center at the
University of California, Davis, co-sponsored
by the Schools of Medicine and Veterinary
Medicine and a relevant Instructional and Re-
search (I&R) academic department. The center
is engaged in investigative research involving
animal models of human disease. We seek indi-
viduals with D.V.M and/or Ph.D. degrees or
equivalent, postdoctoral experience, and a
record of publication in high-quality journals.
We are soliciting applications from candidates
who have enthusiasm for the investigation of
human infectious diseases in animal models and
the concepts of “One Health.” Candidates are
expected to have or to establish and maintain a
strong extramurally funded research program
and to participate in professional and graduate
education in their fields. Ample office and labo-
ratory space is available in the Center (including
access to BSL2 and BSL3 laboratory space),
with state-of-the art facilities, instrumentation,
and administrative support. Center research
and teaching programs interdigitate with other
campus-wide programs and resources in the
Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine,
the Mouse Biology Program, the California Na-
tional Primate Research Center, and the Cancer
Center. Faculty members will hold an academic
appointment in the commensurate department
of the School of Veterinary Medicine. The posi-
tion will provide 0.5 salary support. Review of
applications will commence immediately until
the position is filled. Priority will be given to
applications received by October 1, 2010. Sub-
mit applications with letter of interest, curricu-
lum vita, concise statement of present and fu-
ture research plans, summary of teaching
experience, up to three representative reprints,
and names of four references (including ad-
dresses, telephone numbers and e-mail ad-
dresses) to Recruitment Committee Chair, c/o
Center for Comparative Medicine, University of
California, Davis, CA 95616. The University of
California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative
Action Employer.
13th International Symposium
on Microbial Ecology
Seattle, Washington, USA
August 22-27, 2010
Building on the success of ISME12 the 13th
International Society for Microbial Ecology
Conference will be in Seattle, USA from
August 22 - 27, 2010.
PRESENTERS
As is ISME tradition there is a vibrant scientiÀc
program planned with plenary presenters;
Penny Chisholm, Jeffrey Gordon, Ian Sanders,
Christa Schleper, and Warwick Vincent.
THE VENUE
Washington State Convention & Trade Center,
is at the centre of downtown Seattle, a city
that inspires innovation. Seattle combines
the best of the outdoors, surrounded by
dramatically beautiful mountains and forests,
with the best of city life. Known to many as
the “Emerald City”, Seattle is renowned for
being “green” and you notice the eco-friendly
policies of the city at every corner.
We invite you as an integral part of this
stimulating symposium and we are looking
forward to welcoming you to Seattle.
http://www.isme-microbes.org
Tenure-track Faculty Position
(Assistant/Associate/Full Professor)
Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy
Departments of Medicine and
Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
Duke University Medical Center
Applications are invited for a tenure-track position at Duke University
Medical Center. The position is a partnership of the Institute for Genome
Sciences and Policy and the Departments of Medicine and Molecular
Genetics and Microbiology. We are currently seeking individuals studying
infectious diseases via the application of genome sciences to the host,
microbial pathogens or commensals, or both. Existing areas of strength in the
institute and departments include:
1) infectious diseases and global health
2) microbial pathogenesis (bacteriology, virology, mycology)
3) mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions and innate immunity
4) genomics and genetics of the host-pathogen interaction
5) genomic signatures of infection.
Areas of particular interest include analysis of the microbiome in health and
disease and the application of genetics and genomics to define mutations
that confer resistance or susceptibility to infection or modulate therapeutic
responses in humans.
Applications should include a curriculum vita, a description of research
accomplishment and plans for future research, and reprints of three
representative publications. Applicants should also arrange to have three
letters of recommendation submitted on their behalf. Application materials
should be emailed as pdf files to: IGSP.DOM.MGMSearch2010@duke.edu
The deadline for receipt of applications is October 15, 2010.
Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Duke University is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
 B LO G E XC E r P T S
Small Things Considered
The Microbe Blog (at http://www.smallthingsconsidered.us)
Of Archaeal Periplasm and
Iconoclasm
http://schaechter.asmblog.org/schaechter/
2010/02/of-archaeal-periplasm-iconoclasm.
html
Biology is the iconoclast’s paradise. Over
and over, cherished beliefs, some dating
back for centuries, fall to the ground as
exceptions to the rule are discovered. To
the long list of such exceptions, we now
add the finding by groups in Regensburg
and Frankfurt that the outer membrane
of an archaeon, Ignicoccus hospitalis, is
energized and capable of generating ATP.
Granted, this is a hyperthermophile who
helped shatter the ancient belief that life
at high temperatures is not possible, thus
hardly a conformist. But this discovery
is, to say the least, unexpected.
The old tenet is that the energetic
business-end of prokaryotes is the cell
membrane, whether surrounded by an
outer membrane, as in gram-negatives,
or not, as in gram-positives. I should
know, I taught this for umpteen years.
True, in gram-negatives, energy can be
transmitted to the outer membrane via
the Ton system (a system that provides
energy for the transport of iron sidero-
phores, vitamin B12, and some colicins),
but the reverse, making energy on the
Talmudic Question of the Month*
by Ian Booth
Do bacteria ever take up intact RNA molecules?
Answers? Add a comment online to Talmudic Question #49, May 28, 2009.
http://schaechter.asmblog.org/schaechter/2009/05/talmudic-question-49.html
*We use this term to denote questions whose answers cannot be found by a Google search.
366 • Microbe / Volume 5, Number 8, 2010
MicrobeBlogPageAug2010.indd 158
outer membrane and sending it to the
cytoplasm, is not part of the old belief.
Yet it’s been known for some time that a
goodly number of bacteria can energize
their outer membrane, having cyto-
chromes inserted in the outer membrane
where they carry out extracellular elec-
tron transfer. This ability allows these
organisms to utilize metals in rocks as
electron acceptors.
Dual membrane systems have not be
found in archaea other than Ignicoccus.
What are the new conclusions about
power generation in its outer membrane
based on? Mainly on immunoelectron
microscopy of sections using gold-la-
beled antibodies and immunofluores-
cence showing ATP synthase and
H2:sulfur oxidoreductase located in the
outer membrane. These two enzymes
are required for energizing membranes
and for ATP production. Thus, ATP can
be expected be made in the outer mem-
brane and released into the periplasm
(which in this organism is huge—larger
than the cytoplasm). You may ask, are
these two enzymes also found in the
inner membrane? The answer is no.
Since the periplasm is so large and the
two membranes so far apart, enzyme
localization to one membrane or the
other can be readily discerned. So,
which is the cytoplasmic membrane in
Elio Schaechter Merry Youle
this organism? Note that this two mem-
brane system is different from that of
ordinary Gram-negatives, as here the
outer membrane is not known to con-
tain LPS or porins.
Is the Ignicoccus story relevant to
other prokaryotes? Who’s to say at this
point. Ignicoccus is mightily idiosyn-
cratic. Not only does it grow at very high
temperature and use reduction of ele-
mental sulfur as its main energy source,
but it also lives in intimate association
with another archaeon, the smaller
Nanoarchaeum equitans, which has a
reduced genome and apparently gets its
energy from its larger partner. The un-
usual ignicoccal ability to make ATP
within its periplasm may help it to sup-
ply ATP to its associates across the
outer membrane.
The authors propose a tantalizing
notion: if the eukaryotic cell arose by
an archaeon having swallowed a bac-
terium (hold on, we’re not getting into
that discussion right now), then Ig-
nicoccus or something like it would
have been the ideal ancestor, able as it
appears to be to donate ATP to anyone
residing within its boundaries. True or
not, one should further respect the
outliers in the biological scheme of
things as potential sources of novel and
deeper relationships.
Kuper, U., C. Meyer, V. Muller, R. Rachel, H.
Huber. 2010. Energized outer membrane and
spatial separation of metabolic processes
in the hyperthermophilic Archaeon Ignicoc-
cus hospitalis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
107(7):3152-3156.
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