FEMS Affiliates Letter, August 2012

AUG 2012

A F F I L I AT E S L E T T E R The official newsletter for FEMS Affiliates

Also in this issue:

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology is getting a makeover.

From January 2013, it will be known as Pathogens and Disease.

Publications Corner: • Highlights from FEMS Microbiology Letters and FEMS Microbiology Ecology • Publish your work with the FEMS Journals

More than the new title, it has also been “entirely re-conceived to embrace the present and future of research in infectious disease microbiology”, according to Chief Editor Patrik Bavoil.

Grants Page • Featured Grantee: Marton Vidovsky, Hungary • Call for Applications: FEMS Advanced Fellowships Society Page: Latvian Society of Microbiology SAVE THE DATE: FEMS 2013 DEADLINES List of FEMS-sponsored meetings Microbiology Tidbits

He added that Pathogens and Disease will showcase new sections as it gets published next year and highlight current research on microbial communities, the power of systems biology approaches and experimental translational applications.

Aside from a new format and sections, it also has a new Editorial Board and will feature ‘Shortomics’.

Bavoil explained that ‘shortomics’ will encompass all ‘omic studies ranging in length from ‘omic announcements (e.g. genome announcements) to short communications in systems’ biology (e.g., initial description of a large ‘omic dataset and summary presentation of salient novel features). All ‘shortomics’ submissions will be handled at

SUBMIT TODAY and be part of the future of research in infectious disease microbiology. www.fems-microbiology.org

editorial level (usually not involving external referees) to shorten time from submission to publication.

The journal has been opened for submissions since 1 August 2012.

Authors are encouraged to check the guidelines online.

Article types stimulated are Research Articles, MiniReviews, Current Opinion, Perspective and Commentary, Letters to the Editor and Short Communications that offer increase in knowledge or understanding in the field.

They should be related but not limited to the following areas: • Host/Pathogen Molecular Biology • Molecular/Cellular Pathogenesis • Microbial Communities in Infection and Disease • Host Responses to Infection • Translational Research • Systems’ Biology

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FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY

Geomicrobiology of extremely acidic subsurface environments Extreme acidophiles (microorganisms with pH optima of < 3) can colonize and exploit subterranean environments, such as abandoned metal sulfide mines, that have the potential for developing widespread or isolated pockets of acidity. Although acidophiles can utilize a wide range of electron donors, inorganic materials (reduced sulfur, ferrous iron, and possibly hydrogen) are often the most abundant sources of energy for acidophiles in the subsurface.

The diversity and interactions of acidophilic microbial communities in two abandoned sulfide mineral mines (in Iron Mountain, California, and the Harz mountains in Germany) and a sulfidic cave (Frasissi, Italy) are reviewed. In addition, the contrasting geomicrobiology of two abandoned sulfide mineral mines in north Wales is described.

Both are extremely acidic (pH~2) and low-temperature (8â&#x20AC;&#x201C;9 °C) sites, but one (Cae Coch) is essentially a dry mine with isolated pockets of water, while the other (Mynydd Parys) contains a vast underground lake that was partially drained several years ago. The microbial communities in these two mines exhibit different relative abundances and often different species of archaea and bacteria. Wooden pit props, submerged in the underground lake, act as a slow-release source of organic carbon in the subterranean Mynydd Parys lake, supporting a microbial community that is more enriched with heterotrophic microorganisms.

Johnson, FEMS Microbiol Ecol 81,1, 2-12, 2012 | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01293.x/abstract

FEMS Microbiology Ecology awaits your submissions for the Thematic Issue on the ecology of microorganisms inhabiting and shaping biogeochemical interfaces (BGI) in soil.

FEMS YEAST RESEARCH

Microbial community in frac and flowback water Hydraulic fracturing is used to increase the permeability of shale gas formations and involves pumping large volumes of fluids into these formations. A portion of the frac fluid remains in the formation after the fracturing process is complete, which could potentially contribute to deleterious microbially induced processes in natural gas wells. Here, we report on the geochemical and microbiological properties of frac and flowback waters from two newly drilled natural gas wells in the Barnett Shale in North Central Texas.

Most probable number studies showed that biocide treatments did not kill all the bacteria in the fracturing fluids.

Pyrosequencing-based 16S rRNA diversity analyses indicated that the microbial communities in the flowback waters were less diverse and completely distinct from the communities in frac waters. These differences in frac and flowback water communities appeared to reflect changes in the geochemistry of fracturing fluids that occurred during the frac process. The flowback communities also appeared well adapted to survive biocide treatments and the anoxic conditions and high temperatures encountered in the Barnett Shale.

Struchtemeyer & Elshahed, FEMS Microbiol Ecol 81,1, 13-25, 2012 | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.15746941.2011.01196.x/abstract

P U B L I C AT I O N S PA G E

www.fems-microbiology.org

Get your work out there!

Submit to one of the five FEMS journals Why should I publish in a FEMS journal?

• Highly accessed: over 2 million downloads • No page or submissions charges • Free colour images • Rapid online publication • High quality editorial team • Profits go back to Science (grants, conferences)

Where can I find out more information?

Author guidelines are available for each title via the journal webpages on: wileyonlinelibrary.com.

If you would like more information, please contact the FEMS office at: publications@fems-microbiology.org

About FEMS FEMS is a Federation of 48 European Microbiological Societies from 34 European countries, with its main mission to advance and unify microbiology knowledge.

The Society’s members can apply at FEMS for Research Fellowships, Visiting Scientist Grants, Meeting Attendance Grants and Advanced Fellowships. FEMS also supports meetings and organizes the biennial FEMS Congress of European Scientists.

FEMS facilitates exchange of scientific knowledge to all microbiologists in Europe and worldwide by publishing the five microbiology journals.

www.fems-microbiology.org

Turn overleaf for more information on the five FEMS journals

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“In our laboratory, we have a lot of scientists working as microbiologists. We have limited resources, but there are many conferences around the world, with opportunities to meet the seniors in our research field. I encourage others to apply for the FEMS Meeting Attendance Grant. Applying is so easy. The Grant could be the missing link to attend a very important meeting so make sure to check the FEMS homepage, for opportunities.”

- Marton Vidovsky, Member, Hungarian Society for Microbiology Meeting attended: 10th Int’l Adenovirus Meeting in Umeå, Sweden

G R AN T S CO R N ER

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DEADLINE: 1 October 2012

The FEMS Advanced Fellowship (FAF) is the biggest of all fellowships awarded by the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS). They are granted for a period of 6 to 24 months and include a maximum monthly allowance of EUR 1,800 and travel expenses.

The FAF is intended to acknowledge excellence in research by stimulating and promoting international research of the highest scientific standards.

Promising young scientists are encouraged to apply. With the FAF, they are to continue their work in the most prestigious laboratories in Europe.

Application Requirements To be considered for this fellowship, one must be: • less than 36 years of age on the application deadline; • a member of a FEMS Member Society for at least a year before application; • a holder of a Ph. D. (or equivalent degree) in a microbiological subject and have no more than 3 years of post-doctoral experience; • a citizen of a European country or a country where a FEMS member society exists.

Application Checklist If you think you pass the requirements and intend to apply, please make sure that your application is complete and includes the following: • a completed application form; • a curriculum vitae including a list of publications; • two letters of recommendation, including at least one from outside the applicant’s institution; • a letter of acceptance from the host laboratory; • a (single) research project to be performed at a single host laboratory; and • a photograph of the applicant.

Completed applications should be received by the Grants Administrator at the FEMS Central Office by email (grants@fems-microbiology.org) and post on or before 1 October 2012.

The starting date of a fellowship should be 6-12 months after the application deadline.

The project The applicant’s project should be conducted in a European host laboratory, which is NOT: • the laboratory in which the fellow obtained his/ her Ph.D.; • located in the country where the fellow is a citizen of or where the fellow is currently working or living in; • an industrial laboratory conducting research for the development of new products and/or procedures.

www.fems-microbiology.org

THE FEMS-LWOFF AWARD IS NOW OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

G R AN T S CO R N ER

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The Latvian Society for Microbiology (LSM) is a non-profit association dedicated to the advancement of microbiological sciences in its broadest sense, including fundamental microbiology, industrial microbiology, food, environmental and medical microbiology.

It was founded in 1996 with the following goals and objectives: • To promote the development of microbiology in Latvia; • To popularize microbiological challenges, opportunities and achievements; • To promote skills and competence development of society members; • To promote level of microbiology teaching in universities and secondary schools; • To promote involvement of specialists in solving current problems of microbiology in Latvia and to promote the application of the results; • To organize scientific competitions, symposia, conferences and other scientific activities; and • To organize and promote contacts and cooperation with organizations of microbiologists from other countries and international associations of microbiology.

Members of the society are microbiologists from University of Latvia, Latvian Agriculture University, Riga Stradins University, University Hospitals, medical and veterinary laboratories, as well as from biotech and pharmaceutic companies.

Collective members include the International Depositary Authority Microbial Strain Collection of Latvia (MSCL), University of Latvia and Medical – Biological Research and Technologies company (BioSan).

The LSM has been a member of FEMS since 1997.

Membership is open to all Latvian residents, legal entities and associations conducting scientific research, or teaching practical work in microbiology and related fields.

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UPCOMING EVENT

The 1st Congress of Baltic Microbiologists will be held at the University of Latvia in Riga, Latvia on 31 October - 4 November 2012.

The Congress, organized by the Latvian Society of Microbiology, aims to bring professionals from the countries in the Baltic Sea region working in the microbiology field together for scientific exchange.

The event is expected to be a unique platform for researchers to present their latest findings and learn about their colleagues’ recent achievements.

It will provide the participants a complete overview of the direction of microbiological studies in the Baltic countries as well as facilitate cooperation and teamwork among scientists from other countries in the region.

All professionals living in the region and involved in this field are therefore invited to participate.

Participation fees are: • On or before 15 September • 100 euros (full rate), 50 euros (student rate) • After 15 September • 130 euros (full rate), 65 euros (student rate) Participants are expected to arrange their own accommodation.

For more information, please contact Mr. Janis Liepins: Email address: janis.liepins@lu.lv Telephone: +37167034891 Fax: +37167034885 Twitter: @CBM2012_Riga

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DEADLINES

1 December 2012 15 June 2013 FEMS Research Fellowships FEMS Visiting Scientist Grants

Microbiologists Find New Approach to Fighting Viral Illnesses

1 March 2013 FEMS Meeting Grants (for meetings to be held in 2014)

FEMS-Sponsored Meetings, September - October 2012 2 012 S e p 9 IPNC 2012, Germany

By discovering how certain viruses use their host cells to replicate, UC Irvine microbiologists have identified a new approach to the development of universal treatments for viral illnesses such as meningitis, encephalitis, hepatitis and possibly the common cold.

Source: University of California - Irvine

Ants ‘Screen’ for Beneficial Bacteria to Assist Them

2 012 S e p 10 9th Int’l Congress on Extremophiles, Spain

2 012 O c t 2 5 Actinobacteria within soils, Germany

MICROBIOLOGY TIDBITS

Source: NYU Langone Medical Center

15 December 2012 1 June 2013 FEMS National & Regional Congresses Grants

2 012 S e p 2 3 CESAR 2012, Croatia

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Researchers at NYU School of Medicine have made a novel discovery that could have widespread clinical implications, potentially affecting everything from nutrient metabolism to obesity in children.

1 October 2012 FEMS Advanced Fellowships

2 012 S e p 16 9th IMYA, Italy

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Early Exposure to Antibiotics May Impact Development, Obesity

1 September 2012 1 April 2013 FEMS Meeting Attendance Grants

2 0 1 2 S e p 11 Tuberculosis 2012, France

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Having healthy gut bacteria could have as much to do with a strategy that insurance companies use to uncover risk as with eating the right foods -- according to researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA).

Source: University of East Anglia

Researchers Study the Structure of Drug Resistance in Tuberculosis Edward Yu took note of the facts -- nearly 2 million deaths each year, 9 million infected each year, developments of multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant and now totally drug-resistant strains -- and decided to shift his research focus to tuberculosis.

Source: Iowa State University

The FEMS Affiliates Letter is a production of FEMS Central Office

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