Reviews
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOLOGY EDUCATION, May 2014, p. 59-64 Copyright © 2014 American Society for Microbiology
Pedagogy Articles
JOURNAL WATCH
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.v15i1.715 In this section, I provide articles on recent developments and new technology used in microbiology and related fields. I also post articles that may help you bring new information or techniques into your laboratory or classroom via case studies or lab exercises. I hope you find this information useful, and I encourage you to send suggestions, questions or comments to me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you! Jennifer A. Herzog Herkimer County Community College, Herkimer, NY E-mail: [email protected] Research Articles Stilling, R., et al. 2014. Microbial genes, brain & behaviour – epigenetic regulation of the gut-brain axis. Genes Brain Behav. 13:69–86. (A review of current information suggesting an epigenetic role for normal microbiota in overall human health.) Li, J. L., et al. 2014. Systemic spread and propagation of a plant-pathogenic virus in European honeybees, Apis mellifera. mBio. 5(1):e00898-13. (New research reveals a novel relationship involving an RNA virus and its normal plant host, as well as honeybees and their parasites.) Schug, G. R., et al. 2013. Infection, disease, and biosocial processes at the end of the Indus Civilization. PLoS One 8(12):e84814. (Paleopathological evidence suggests climate change and social interaction brought about the spread of infectious disease in an ancient civilization.) Park, S.-H., et al. 2013. Development of a novel selective and differential medium for the isolation of Listeria monocytogenes. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 80:1020 –1025. (Formulation of a new cost-effective, highly specific medium containing lecithin and levofloxacin for the identification of L. monocytogenes in the food supply.) Oh, D., et al. 2013. Biologically enhanced cathode design for improved capacity and cycle life for lithiumoxygen batteries. Nat. Commun. 4:2756. doi:10.1038/ ncomms3756. (A genetically modified virus may hold the nanomolecular key to maximizing the functionality of lithium-air batteries in the future.) Volume 15, Number 1
Simpson, J. S. 2014. An economical approach to teaching cadaver anatomy: a 10-year retrospective. Am. Biol. Teach. 76(1):43–46. (A look at how one instructor created a unique learning environment for students on a very limited budget.) American Society for Clinical Pathology Task Force on the Laboratory Professionals Workforce. 2013. Building a laboratory workforce to meet the future. Full article can be found at: http://www.ascp.org/PDF/Advocacy/ ASCP-Task-Force-on-Lab-Pros.pdf. (Important report from a leading society providing useful information to many institutions looking to develop new programs in order to meet the needs of future job trends.) Center for Community College Student Engagement. 2013. A matter of degrees: engaging practices, engaging students. Full article can be found at: http://www. ccsse.org/docs/Matter_of_Degrees_2.pdf. (Second of three reports created by CCCSE for the project entitled “Identifying and Promoting High-Impact Educational Practices in Community Colleges,” this provides a summary of data from the questionnaire that many of our students take each year.)
BOOKS The Ups and Downs of Emerging Infectious Diseases at Your Fingertips DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.v15i1.707 Review of: Emerging Infectious Diseases: A Guide to Diseases, Causative Agents, and Surveillance; Lisa A Beltz; (2011). JosseyBass, John Wiley & Sons, San Francisco, CA. 734 pages. Emerging Infectious Diseases focuses on currently relevant emerging and reemerging infectious diseases within the United States and around the world, such as influenza. The book is well laid out and organized with major parts for each of the Bacterial (Part 2), Viral (Part 3) and Parasitic (Part 4) infections. Each ‘Part’ contains several chapters, each of which is devoted to a specific infectious disease, such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; Chapter 21). In addition, there is a great introductory section (Part 1) that provides relevant background and history (e.g. the advent of vaccinations with the practice of variolation, p. 6), as well as a brief overview of the host-immune response to infection. This introductory section nicely sets the stage and provides the groundwork for all subsequent chapters. The book ends with special sections attributed to prions (Part 5), the immunocompromised and bioweapons (Part 6).
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
59
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOLOGY EDUCATION, May 2014, p. 59-64 Copyright © 2014 American Society for Microbiology
Pedagogy Articles
JOURNAL WATCH
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.v15i1.715 In this section, I provide articles on recent developments and new technology used in microbiology and related fields. I also post articles that may help you bring new information or techniques into your laboratory or classroom via case studies or lab exercises. I hope you find this information useful, and I encourage you to send suggestions, questions or comments to me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you! Jennifer A. Herzog Herkimer County Community College, Herkimer, NY E-mail: [email protected] Research Articles Stilling, R., et al. 2014. Microbial genes, brain & behaviour – epigenetic regulation of the gut-brain axis. Genes Brain Behav. 13:69–86. (A review of current information suggesting an epigenetic role for normal microbiota in overall human health.) Li, J. L., et al. 2014. Systemic spread and propagation of a plant-pathogenic virus in European honeybees, Apis mellifera. mBio. 5(1):e00898-13. (New research reveals a novel relationship involving an RNA virus and its normal plant host, as well as honeybees and their parasites.) Schug, G. R., et al. 2013. Infection, disease, and biosocial processes at the end of the Indus Civilization. PLoS One 8(12):e84814. (Paleopathological evidence suggests climate change and social interaction brought about the spread of infectious disease in an ancient civilization.) Park, S.-H., et al. 2013. Development of a novel selective and differential medium for the isolation of Listeria monocytogenes. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 80:1020 –1025. (Formulation of a new cost-effective, highly specific medium containing lecithin and levofloxacin for the identification of L. monocytogenes in the food supply.) Oh, D., et al. 2013. Biologically enhanced cathode design for improved capacity and cycle life for lithiumoxygen batteries. Nat. Commun. 4:2756. doi:10.1038/ ncomms3756. (A genetically modified virus may hold the nanomolecular key to maximizing the functionality of lithium-air batteries in the future.) Volume 15, Number 1
Simpson, J. S. 2014. An economical approach to teaching cadaver anatomy: a 10-year retrospective. Am. Biol. Teach. 76(1):43–46. (A look at how one instructor created a unique learning environment for students on a very limited budget.) American Society for Clinical Pathology Task Force on the Laboratory Professionals Workforce. 2013. Building a laboratory workforce to meet the future. Full article can be found at: http://www.ascp.org/PDF/Advocacy/ ASCP-Task-Force-on-Lab-Pros.pdf. (Important report from a leading society providing useful information to many institutions looking to develop new programs in order to meet the needs of future job trends.) Center for Community College Student Engagement. 2013. A matter of degrees: engaging practices, engaging students. Full article can be found at: http://www. ccsse.org/docs/Matter_of_Degrees_2.pdf. (Second of three reports created by CCCSE for the project entitled “Identifying and Promoting High-Impact Educational Practices in Community Colleges,” this provides a summary of data from the questionnaire that many of our students take each year.)
BOOKS The Ups and Downs of Emerging Infectious Diseases at Your Fingertips DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.v15i1.707 Review of: Emerging Infectious Diseases: A Guide to Diseases, Causative Agents, and Surveillance; Lisa A Beltz; (2011). JosseyBass, John Wiley & Sons, San Francisco, CA. 734 pages. Emerging Infectious Diseases focuses on currently relevant emerging and reemerging infectious diseases within the United States and around the world, such as influenza. The book is well laid out and organized with major parts for each of the Bacterial (Part 2), Viral (Part 3) and Parasitic (Part 4) infections. Each ‘Part’ contains several chapters, each of which is devoted to a specific infectious disease, such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; Chapter 21). In addition, there is a great introductory section (Part 1) that provides relevant background and history (e.g. the advent of vaccinations with the practice of variolation, p. 6), as well as a brief overview of the host-immune response to infection. This introductory section nicely sets the stage and provides the groundwork for all subsequent chapters. The book ends with special sections attributed to prions (Part 5), the immunocompromised and bioweapons (Part 6).
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
59
