From owner-biofilms@net.bio.net Mon Aug 02 04:39:00 1999 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: Doug Caldwell Newsgroups: bionet.microbiology.biofilms Subject: Press Release Date: 1 Aug 1999 22:38:40 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 65 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biofmod@im.dtu.dk Distribution: world Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net U. of S. Professor Rejects Conventional Evolutionary Theory as Political Ideology In an opinion to be published in Environmental Microbiology later this month, Doug Caldwell dismisses conventional evolutionary theory as a politically motivated form of superstition or mythology. Caldwell's theory, first published in 1997 with three co-authors, states that a universal information system or life force resides within all physical, chemical, and biological objects. He attributes evolution to the activity of this universal informational system, rather than to the natural selection of organisms or DNA molecules. This challenges the central role of DNA in evolutionary theory. He argues that if nothing can evolve without DNA, then how could DNA have originated ? In his Environmental Microbiology opinion he states that "Contemporary selection theory requires that any act of cooperation or altruism must be directly or indirectly caused by an act of competition or self-interest. However, if we are guided by scientific reasoning, then making competition a precondition for cooperation is an unnecessary complication and thus must be regarded as superstition rather than science." He suspects that evolutionary science became immune to normal standards of scientific scrutiny during the Cold War and stresses that neither communism (cooperation) nor individualism (competition) is the mechanism of evolution or an underlying law of nature. Caldwell was the lead speaker at a meeting of the Gaia Society held at Oxford University in April . The Gaia society is a new scientific organization that studies the Earth as an evolving self-regulating system. Conceiving of the Earth as an evolving system is an impossibility based on current evolutionary theory because the Earth has no discrete pool of DNA, does not grow, and has no competitors to allow evolution by natural selection. Caldwell is scheduled to speak next at Cornell University and then to address the Science Teachers of Saskatchewan in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. For more information contact: Prof. Doug Caldwell (306) 966-5026 - phone (306) 966-8898 - fax CALDWELL@SASK.USASK.CA or The Gaia Society http://ibs.uel.ac.uk/gaia/ file: PressRelease990730.05 ********************************************************* Doug Caldwell Microbial Colonization Laboratory Department of Applied Microbiology and Food Science 51 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5A8, Canada Voice: (306) 966-5026 (office), -5042 (colonization lab), -7704 (laser imaging facility), 934-0711 (home) Fax: 306-966-8898 Email: caldwell@sask.usask.ca ********************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------- To reply to the group as well as to the originator, make sure that the address biofilms@net.bio.net is included in the "To:" field. See the BIOFILMS homepage at http://www.im.dtu.dk/biofilms for info on how to (un)subscribe and post to the Biofilms newsgroup. From owner-biofilms@net.bio.net Mon Aug 02 04:39:00 1999 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: sparge@globalnet.co.uk (Andy Spragg) Newsgroups: bionet.microbiology.biofilms Subject: Give us back our blank lines Date: 1 Aug 1999 22:38:40 -0700 Organization: GXSN Lines: 48 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biofmod@im.dtu.dk Distribution: world Message-ID: <37a22796.449933831@news.globalnet.co.uk> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net (Experiments with double blank lines to see if it will do any good, expecting not)... On 27 Jul 1999 00:44:03 -0700, Jan Kreft wrote (in part): >PS: Whatever happens to the empty lines in our mails? Where do they get lost? Hear, hear. This newsgroup is hard work, with all the blank lines stripped out. I have not encountered any other that does this. Considered opinion (with good reason) on usenet is that blank lines improve the legibility of messages, and in the worst case may make the difference between messages being read and not. I thought moderation was about the wholesale stripping out of spam, not also about the unbidden stripping out of blank lines to deleterious effect. STOP IT!! Andy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Moderators comment: Andy, I don't do ANY editing of the messages which are forwarded to the newsgroup. I have no control of what is done at the BIOSCI. My only role is to remove spams etc as you note (4 out of 5 messages fall into this category). The only editing I occasionally do is to remove multiple copies of the 'footer' message ("To reply to bla bla..."). If I was to sit and remove every blank line from the (fortunately many lately) messages I would have little time for other things. Hope this clears some points. Claus Sternberg moderator ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------- To reply to the group as well as to the originator, make sure that the address biofilms@net.bio.net is included in the "To:" field. See the BIOFILMS homepage at http://www.im.dtu.dk/biofilms for info on how to (un)subscribe and post to the Biofilms newsgroup. From owner-biofilms@net.bio.net Tue Aug 03 07:12:00 1999 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: sparge@globalnet.co.uk (Andy Spragg) Newsgroups: bionet.microbiology.biofilms Subject: How to get blank lines Date: 3 Aug 1999 01:12:44 -0700 Organization: GXSN Lines: 15 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biofmod@im.dtu.dk Distribution: world Message-ID: <37a6a09c.49715124@news.globalnet.co.uk> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net Hi all, Just to confirm that if you want blank lines in your postings to this N/G, insert _two_ successive blank lines in your posting, and these will come out as single blank lines by the time they hit the newsreader software, as actually required. Hope this helps. Andy ------------------------------------------------------------------- To reply to the group as well as to the originator, make sure that the address biofilms@net.bio.net is included in the "To:" field. See the BIOFILMS homepage at http://www.im.dtu.dk/biofilms for info on how to (un)subscribe and post to the Biofilms newsgroup. From owner-biofilms@net.bio.net Wed Aug 11 12:00:00 1999 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: "Huub Schellekens" Newsgroups: bionet.microbiology.biofilms Subject: Meeting Molecular Diagnostics Date: 11 Aug 1999 06:00:52 -0700 Organization: Academic Computer Centre Utrecht, (ACCU) Lines: 63 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biofmod@im.dtu.dk Distribution: world Message-ID: <7orp95$on0$1@newshost.accu.uu.nl> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net First Scheveningen Meeting on Molecular diagnostics 13-16 october 1999 This is the first of a series of meetings devoted to all aspects of molecular diagnostics in infectious disease and pathology of humans and animals, which will be organised every two years.The emphasis of the meetings will be the practical aspects and the clinical applications. The format of the meetings will be : Introductory lectures by internationally renowned experts in the morning and free presentations in dedicated workshops in the afternoon. Poster sessions and industrial exhibits will be an integrated part of the meeting. In conjunction with the meeting a number of business meetings of the participating societies will be organised. The sponsoring companies are expected to organise some specific training and other activities before and after the meetings. The scientific part of meetings is organised by an independent international organising committee in conjunction with the European Study Group on Molecular Diagnostics and the Society of Clinical Virology. The practical aspects of the meeting are handled by Wens Travel. Programme Topics: ? Molecular Diagnostics and Disease Management ? Molecular Diagnostics in Clinical Pathology ? DNA-chip technology ? Molecular Diagnostics in the Developing World ? Automation in Molecular Diagnostics ? Molecular Diagnostics and Food Safety ? Standardization and Quality Control ? Molecular Diagnostics and Animal Health Invited speakers M. Altwegg (CH), J. Walboomers (NL), S.Balek (UK), J. Best (UK), F. Bonino (I), A.v.Loon ( NL), J. Fox (UK), C.v.Buul (NL), A.v. Belkum(NL), P.Devilee (NL), M.G. Morgado ( Brasil), J. Hermon-Taylor (UK) Students: Limited funding for travel and attendance of the meeting may become available. Students in need of financial assistance are requested to apply in writing through the Secretariat to the chairman of the Organizing Committee. A copy of the student card should be enclosed. Registration and abstracts forms European Meeting on Molecular Diagnostics 1999 c/o Wens Congress B.V. Brinkzicht 21c 3743 EX Baarn The Netherlands Phone: +31-355429333 Fax : +31-355429444 E-mail: molecule@wens.nl Internet address: http://www.wens.nl/molecule ------------------------------------------------------------------- To reply to the group as well as to the originator, make sure that the address biofilms@net.bio.net is included in the "To:" field. See the BIOFILMS homepage at http://www.im.dtu.dk/biofilms for info on how to (un)subscribe and post to the Biofilms newsgroup. From owner-biofilms@net.bio.net Wed Aug 11 12:01:00 1999 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.microbiology.biofilms Subject: BIOSCI/bionet miniFAQ & Fundraiser Date: 11 Aug 1999 06:01:07 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 201 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biofmod@im.dtu.dk Distribution: world Message-ID: <199908110900.CAA13002@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net (LAST REVISION: 30-JUL-95) This BIOSCI "miniFAQ" is designed to answer the questions that come up the *most frequently*. The main BIOSCI FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) is accessible on the World Wide Web at URL http://www.bio.net/. If you can not find an answer to your question in this or other documentation, the BIOSCI technical support staff answers e-mail queries sent to biosci-help@net.bio.net We can only answer questions about the use of the newsgroups and mailing lists. We unfortunately do not have the staff to do Internet information searches or answer scientific questions. Please post those to the appropriate BIOSCI/bionet newsgroups. Contents: -------- 0) BIOSCI NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!! 1) Using the WWW to access the BIOSCI/bionet newsgroups. 2) What to do about "spams," i.e., junk mail, ads, etc. 3) Examples of subscribing and unsubscribing to the mailing lists. 4) The BIOSCI user address and research interest directory. 0) BIOSCI NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!! ------------------------------ BIOSCI's government funding has been expended, and we are now operating solely from advertising revenue that we have raised from our Web site at http://www.bio.net/. We need just a few minutes of your time to help us serve you. You can do two important things which will take very little time for you individually and will immensely help us continue to help you. First, please use our WWW system at http://www.bio.net/ to access the archives. You can post or reply to messages via your Web browser as described in item #1 below. Your usage helps attract sponsors. If you contact any of our sponsors, please be sure to thank them for supporting BIOSCI. It is critical for them to get this feedback if they are to continue their sponsorship for the long term. Second, if you work for a company or organization that provides products or services of interest to the biology community, please pass this message on to your marketing or marketing communications department or other appropriate group. Please ask them to help support BIOSCI by sponsoring our Web site and explain the uses and benefits of the system to the biology community. If they are interested, they can then contact us for further information at our tech support address, biosci-help@net.bio.net. 1) Using the WWW to access the BIOSCI/bionet newsgroups. -------------------------------------------------------- As of 10 December 1995, all BIOSCI/bionet full newsgroups are accessible through the World Wide Web (WWW) at URL http://www.bio.net. One can read and reply publicly or privately to both recent postings and archived messages through one's Web browser if it is configured properly to send e-mail. Each newsgroup is equipped with its own WAIS index. The main BIOSCI home page also has access to the BIO-JOURNALS Table of Contents database WAIS index and the BIOSCI user address database described in another item further below. 2) What to do about "spams," i.e., junk mail, ads, etc. ------------------------------------------------------- BIOSCI is a set of parallel USENET newsgroups (the "bionet" groups), mailing lists, and a hypermail archive at URL http://www.bio.net/. The same postings are distributed on all media (except for a small number of mailing-list-only groups at net.bio.net). Unfortunately it is becoming a despicable practice on the Internet (by a few people out to make a fast buck) to do automated mass postings to thousands of newsgroups and mailing lists. These attempts to grab free advertising are refered to as "spams" in the usual, somewhat boneheaded, net terminology. USENET is more susceptible to this practice, and many spams originate on the USENET groups and then are passed on to the mailing lists. However, spammers also get lists of mailing addresses and hit these too, so neither medium is immune. What should you do personally if you get junk mail? --------------------------------------------------- Just delete it and move on without reading it further. Filing a protest is becoming increasingly useless because spammers are often disguising the addresses where the messages are sent from. Unless you really understand Internet mail systems, your attempt at protest by sending replies to the message will often end up being sent to the address of an innocent person that the spammer is victimizing. What can BIOSCI/bionet do to protect its newsgroups? ---------------------------------------------------- The only solution currently available is to moderate the newsgroup. If this newsgroup is already moderated, then you are in good shape. Moderation protects the USENET distribution from about 95% of the spams that are being sent to date and protects the mailing lists completely. Moderation means, however, that someone has to take the time to review each message before it goes out. We have set up software here that simply allows the moderator to forward to an address at net.bio.net messages that (s)he wishes to have distributed. This takes no more time than that needed to read the message and pass it on, say about 1 min. per message. Most newsgroups currently have a discussion leader who is responsible for their newsgroup. The discussions leaders and their e-mail addresses are listed in the BIOSCI Information Sheet which is available on the Web at http://www.bio.net/. If a newsgroup is being hit with too many junk postings, please contact the discussion leader for that group and see if there is interest in moderating the group. Please do not assume that by simply posting a complaint to the newsgroup itself, anyone on the BIOSCI staff will act on your complaint. With close to 100 newsgroups to run, the BIOSCI staff has to rely on the discussion leaders of each newsgroup to report problems directly to us at biosci-help@net.bio.net. We will moderate any of our newsgroups if the discussion leader tells us that the readership of the group wishes to do so and if a moderator is willing to do the work. For most BIOSCI/bionet groups, this entails only a few minutes of work each day. Moderating a newsgroup will resolve probably 95% of the junk postings on the USENET distribution. Unfortunately there are easy ways for determined spammers to override the moderation mechanism on USENET, but we can protect our e-mail subscribers from unwanted postings if the newsgroup is moderated. You can also access our newsgroups over the WWW at URL http://www.bio.net. While this Web interface will not stop spammers from trying to post to the groups, this will give you yet another way, besides using USENET news, to keep the junk out of your personal mail files. For those of you with local USENET news systems, the Web interface will also give you faster access to new newsgroups and recent postings. 3) Examples of subscribing and unsubscribing to the mailing lists. ------------------------------------------------------------------ PLEASE NOTE: The BIOSCI management does NOT act on subscription/unsubscription requests that are posted improperly to the newsgroups and mailing lists. People who do this only bother everyone on the lists to no avail. Please be sure to follow the proper procedures below. Gory details are in the BIOSCI Information sheets on the Web at http://www.bio.net. Below we give an example utilizing the METHODS-AND-REAGENTS list at both of our two BIOSCI sites: Users in the Americas and Pacific Rim countries who use the BIOSCI ------------------------------------------------------------------ node at computer net.bio.net: ---------------------------- A) Determine the "listname" which is the <=8 character mail address ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ for the group. These can be found in the BIOSCI Info. Sheet. For the METHODS-AND-REAGENTS group the mailing address is methods@net.bio.net. The listname is the portion of the address to the left of the @ sign, i.e., "methods". The listname is used with the "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" commands illustrated below. B) Mail all commands in the body of a mail message addressed to biosci-server@net.bio.net. Do NOT send commands to the newsgroup posting addresses! Leave the Subject: line blank, any text on it will be ignored. C) In the body of your message put one or more of the following commands with an "end" command on the last line, e.g., subscribe methods unsubscribe methods end Do NOT put your e-mail address or other text on these lines. The server only allows you to cancel your subscription if the address on your mail header matches the address on our mailing list. Please ask for help at biosci-help@net.bio.net if your address has changed, e.g., if you know you are on the list but the server tells you that you are not a member. Users in Europe, Africa, and Central Asia who use the BIOSCI node at -------------------------------------------------------------------- computer daresbury.ac.uk (also known as dl.ac.uk): ------------------------------------------------- To subscribe and unsubscribe to/from the BIOSCI lists, you need to specify the full USENET newsgroup name with "bionet-news." prepended. The USENET newsgroup names are listed in the BIOSCI Information sheet on the Web at http://www.bio.net/. For the METHODS-AND-REAGENTS list the USENET newsgroup name is bionet.molbio.methds-reagnts, thus the appropriate commands are sub bionet-news.bionet.molbio.methds-reagnts unsub bionet-news.bionet.molbio.methds-reagnts These commands are included in a message addressed to mxt@dl.ac.uk, NOT to the newsgroup mailing addresses. As usual, include the text in the body of the message as text on the Subject: line is ignored. To unsubscribe from all the lists at the UK node, use unsub bionet-news Please note that if the address in the list is different than the one in your mail message header, you will not be able to unsubscribe by this method. If you have problems, please mail biosci@daresbury.ac.uk. 4) The BIOSCI user address and research interest directory. ----------------------------------------------------------- Please take this opportunity to add your name, address, and research interest information to the BIOSCI User Address Database if you have not already done so. You can fill out the address form directly through our Web page at URL http://www.bio.net/adrform.html. The address database is reindexed nightly for WWW access (the URL is http://www.bio.net/). If you are not directly on the Internet but can reach it by e-mail, please use our waismail server to access the user directory. waismail use is described above. You can also request a user address form by e-mail from biosci-help@net.bio.net. Please check your database entry from time-to-time to see if your address information is still up-to-date. Because of our limited personnel resources, we ask that you resubmit a *complete* form to revise your entry; we only replace complete entries and do not have resources to edit old forms. ------------------------------------------------------------------- To reply to the group as well as to the originator, make sure that the address biofilms@net.bio.net is included in the "To:" field. See the BIOFILMS homepage at http://www.im.dtu.dk/biofilms for info on how to (un)subscribe and post to the Biofilms newsgroup. From owner-biofilms@net.bio.net Wed Aug 11 17:24:00 1999 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: Simon Burton Newsgroups: bionet.microbiology.biofilms Subject: Scottish Microbiology Society Meeting Date: 11 Aug 1999 11:24:52 -0700 Organization: University of Strathclyde Computer Centre Lines: 57 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biofmod@im.dtu.dk Distribution: world Message-ID: <37B1A63F.2AE1BCB1@sandy.demon.co.uk> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net THE SCOTTISH MICROBIOLOGY SOCIETY 9th SYMPOSIUM University of Abertay, Dundee 23rd September 1999 Registration and call for oral and poster contributions The Division of Molecular & Life Sciences, University of Abertay will host the 9th Symposium of the Scottish Microbiology Society on 23rd September 1999. The keynote speakers for this symposium will be Prof. Hugh Pennington (University of Aberdeen) who will speak on E.coli 0157, Dr. Gwen Allardice who wil talk on "HIV in Scotland", and Dr. John Cowden (SCIEH, Glasgow) who will speak on Campylobacter. The afternoon theme of the meeting will be ‘Emerging pathogens in Scotland.’ There will be an opportunity for members to give short 15 minute presentations (5 minutes questions) during the morning session on any aspect of microbiology. The afternoon sessions will be restricted to offered papers on medical microbiology. Presenting members will be required to submit a short abstract (1 page or more. The abstracts will be published on the Society web page. Those wishing to attend must fill out and send the registration form obtained from the address below. Entry to the Symposium is free to members. Coffee may be charged at £1. Entry for non-members on the day will be £4 and £7 for students and professionals respectively, which will include a years membership to the society. Yearly membership fees remain at £3 for students and £6 for professionals. See the society web site for further details nearer the time at www.strath.ac.uk/Departments/BioSci/Sms1.htm. The University of Abertay is located in Dundee city centre (www.abertay.ac.uk). Provisional format 10:00-10.30 registration and coffee 10:30-11:15 Invited lecture to be arranged. "Helicobacter?" 11:15-11:35 Offered paper 1 11:35-11:55 Offered paper 2 11:55-12:40 Invited lecture. Dr. John Cowden (SCIEH, Glasgow) "Campylobacter" 12:40-14:00 Lunch (and posters) 14:00-14:45 Invited lecture. Dr Gwen Allardice "HIV in Scotland" 14:45-15:05 Offered paper 3 15:05-15:25 Offered paper 4 15:25-16:00 Coffee (and posters) 16:00-16:45 Prof. Hugh Pennington (Aberdeen) "E.coli 0157" followed by the Scottish Microbiology Society AGM Closing date for the submission for oral and poster presentations is 10th and 17th September 1999 respectively, or by arrangement with Dr. Graeme Walker, Division of Molecular & Life Sciences, University of Abertay, Bell Street, Dundee DD1 1HG (e-mail: g.walker@tay.ac.uk) ------------------------------------------------------------------- To reply to the group as well as to the originator, make sure that the address biofilms@net.bio.net is included in the "To:" field. See the BIOFILMS homepage at http://www.im.dtu.dk/biofilms for info on how to (un)subscribe and post to the Biofilms newsgroup. From owner-biofilms@net.bio.net Fri Aug 13 10:23:00 1999 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: "Jimmy Walker" Newsgroups: bionet.microbiology.biofilms Subject: International Biodeterioration Society Meeting Date: 13 Aug 1999 04:22:37 -0700 Organization: camr.org.uk Lines: 21 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biofmod@im.dtu.dk Distribution: world Message-ID: <199908131037.KAA30304@liz.camr.org.uk> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net Dear Colleagues, Attached for your information is the latest call and booking form for the International Biodeterioration Society meeting on "Hygienic Surfaces and Biodeterioration of Surfaces" to be held in Chester on the 13th and 14th September. Please contact Dr. Steven Percival (Local oragniser -see booking form) directly for more details. Best regards Jimmy Walker ____________________________________________________________________________ ____ This message has been checked for all known viruses by the Star Screening System http://academy.star.co.uk/public/virustats.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------- To reply to the group as well as to the originator, make sure that the address biofilms@net.bio.net is included in the "To:" field. See the BIOFILMS homepage at http://www.im.dtu.dk/biofilms for info on how to (un)subscribe and post to the Biofilms newsgroup. From owner-biofilms@net.bio.net Tue Aug 24 15:34:00 1999 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: "Elvers, Karen" Newsgroups: bionet.microbiology.biofilms Subject: Definitions Date: 24 Aug 1999 09:33:44 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 80 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biofmod@im.dtu.dk Distribution: world Message-ID: <0BB54E7BA2FFD211918000A0C9ED04DD0369AB@mailserv2.uwic.ac.uk> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net We have been undertaking a study of biofilms in the food industry examining the significance of biofilm formation in high-risk food processing operations. It is apparent that biofilms form on food contact and environmental surfaces and that these are not properly controlled by current cleaning methods. The food industry does not fully recognise the importance of surface attached populations and that the current definition for 'classic' biofilm is not of particular relevance to the industry where populations are controlled to some extent by regular cleaning. We need to discuss and arrive at a consensus definition relevant to the food industry that incorporates the attachment and initial growth of cells. We feel it should include: 1. The timescale for the physiological adaptation of sessile cells with particular reference to dessication, biocide resistance and metabolic activity. 2. The physiological activity of attached cells. 3. The number or density of cells required to constitute a biofilm - we have evidence that swab recovery of 1x103 cfu/100cm3 from a surface represents an attached population that is not easily eradicated by cleaning procedures employed by the industry. 4. The potential for quorom sensing with reference to density of attached population. It is our opinion that if physiological adaptation and resistance to factors such as detergent action, disinfection and dessication, occur shortly after attachment to what would be a very small attached population, this should be considered a biofilm. Thus a few adherent organisms do constitute a biofilm or certainly has the potential form biofilm. The word film in this context is a misnomer as it suggests that a continuous film is a prerequisite for a sessile population to be called a biofilm. The dynamic nature of the biofilm population in terms of attachment/detachment and growth is also important. We also feel that interfacial dimensions are not important in defining biofilm as the population produces concentration gradients that will extend way beyond the physical boundaries of the cells. Biofilms are very diverse in structure etc. and will be different in every environment in which they are being studied. We don't think one definition can encompass all aspects of biofilms that have been observed (or that it should). We all understand from generic definitions such as the one by Characklis and Marshall eds. (Biofilms and interdisciplinary approach), the basis of what is a biofilm. Each group will add different terms for the biofilms that they are studying and these should be stated or defined by the authors. As we are all familiar with each others work we do understand many of the terms (streamers, voids, microcolonies etc.) that have been used to describe biofilms. The primary/secondary/tertiary structures would be useful descriptions, but for the high-risk food processing industry, tertiary and maybe secondary structures would not occur because of the time for more complex biofilms to develop between cleaning is not available. This could be true for other terms too in that they will not all apply to every biofilm studied. Any comments would be very welcome. Karen Elvers and Adrian Peters, UWIC, Cardiff, UK. ---------------------------------------- Dr. Karen T. Elvers Food Safety Research Group School of Applied Sciences University of Wales Institute, Cardiff Colchester Avenue Cardiff UK CF23 9XR Tel: 029 2041 6457 Fax: 029 2041 6941 --- moderators comment: I an sorry that this message by mistake was not forwarded immediately. It was posted July 30 1999. ------------------------------------------------------------------- To reply to the group as well as to the originator, make sure that the address biofilms@net.bio.net is included in the "To:" field. See the BIOFILMS homepage at http://www.im.dtu.dk/biofilms for info on how to (un)subscribe and post to the Biofilms newsgroup.