Microbiology

At Aberdeen, molecular and cell biologists, clinical scientists, epidemiologists and environmental microbiologists are working together in the Microbiology Research Programme to address key questions about the basic biology of micro-organisms, how they interact with the environment and how they interact with human hosts to cause infectious disease.

The research covers a wide area and includes investigations into tuberculosis, E. coli, chlamydia, pneumococci and serious pathogens such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which are an important cause of resistant infections in hospitals and Streptomycetes, which are the most important antibiotic producing microorganisms. Studies on the biology of the fungus Candida albicans are also being conducted to gain greater understanding of how this pathogen attacks immuno-compromised patients. Related lines of research focus on the molecular biology of soil-living Streptomcetes and the phage viruses that attack them and the biology of potato blight fungus. Other work involves studying the basic processes by which micro-organisms adapt to their environment. This has relevance in understanding mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and microbial virulence. Model organisms such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and E. coli are also being used to explore the molecular basis of fundamental processes such as cell division, gene expression DNA replication and repair and the mechanisms of ion transport and cell homeostasis.

These microbiologists exploit and develop ultrasensitive, new technologies for characterisation of micro-organisms. These include gene chips, proteomics, advanced imaging technologies engineered antibodies, molecular diagnostics and biosensors; tools which can be used to detect and characterise microbial products in the human body and natural environment. Mathematical and systems biology approaches are also embedded into these fundamental studies of the growth and metabolism of microbes. These technologies and insights are also being used in dealing with infectious disease in the hospital where doctors strive to diagnose and treat infection against a rising tide of antibiotic resistance.