From owner-csm@net.bio.net Thu Nov 02 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!bcm.tmc.edu!news.msfc.nasa.gov!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in2.uu.net!utcsri!utnut!nott!nrcnet0.nrc.ca!csm From: Pierre_Talbot@iaf.UQUEBEC.CA (Pierre Talbot) Newsgroups: bionet.prof-society.csm Subject: CSM and CFBS Date: Thu, 02 Nov 95 19:01:40 EST Organization: National Research Council, Canada Lines: 29 Approved: csm@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Distribution: world Message-ID: <9510028153.AA815367700@iaf.UQUEBEC.CA> NNTP-Posting-Host: nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Originator: csm@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca DATE: November 2, 1995 TO: CSM Members FROM: Pierre Talbot, President OBJECT: Possible affiliation of the Canadian Association of Microbiologists (CSM) with the Canadian Federation of Biological Societies (CFBS) Dear colleague: Please do not forget to send in, BEFORE NOVEMBER 15, your vote regarding a possible affiliation of CSM with CFBS, as described in the Fall CSM newsletter that you received about 2 weeks ago,and which included a ballot sheet. Please e-mail your vote to the CSM Secretariat (csm@magi.com), where it will be counted anonymously. Simply indicate in your message: YES or NO and if yes, how much you are prepared to pay for this affiliation: either $30, 20-29, 10-19, 1-9 or 0. (remember that these numbers are for full members: post-docs pay 20% less and students 60% less). Add any comments you like. Write to me if you need more information (pierre.talbot@iaf.uquebec.ca). Thank you for taking the time to decide the future of your Society! (Please disregard this message if you have already sent in your vote) -- Dr. John Nash (moderator) Disclaimer: The National Research Council of Canada disclaims responsibility for the content of messages posted to this newsgroup. From owner-csm@net.bio.net Thu Nov 02 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!bcm.tmc.edu!news.msfc.nasa.gov!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in2.uu.net!utcsri!utnut!nott!nrcnet0.nrc.ca!csm From: Pierre_Talbot@iaf.UQUEBEC.CA (Pierre Talbot) Newsgroups: bionet.prof-society.csm Subject: SCM et CFBS Date: Thu, 02 Nov 95 19:01:41 EST Organization: National Research Council, Canada Lines: 32 Approved: csm@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Distribution: world Message-ID: <9510028153.AA815367701@iaf.UQUEBEC.CA> NNTP-Posting-Host: nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Originator: csm@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca DATE: 2 novembre 1995 AUX: Membres de la SCM DE: Pierre Talbot, President OBJECT: Affiliation possible de la Societe canadienne des microbiologistes (SCM) a la Federation canadienne des societes de biologie (FSCB) Cher(chere) collegue: N'oubliez-pas de voter, AVANT LE 15 NOVEMBRE, a propos d'une association possible de la SCM avec la FCSB, tel que decrit dans le bulletin de nouvelles d'automne de la SCM, que vous avez recu il y a environ 2 semaines, et qui comprenait une feuille de vote. Veuillez envoyer votre vote au Secretariat (csm@magi.com), ou il sera compile de facon anonyme. Indiquez simplement OUI ou NON, et si oui, combien vous seriez pret a payer pour cette association: soit 30, 20-29, 10-19, 1-9 ou 0 $. (Souvenez-vous que ces montants sont pour les membres reguliers: les post-docs paient 20% de moins et les etudiants 60% de moins). Ajoutez vos commentaires si vous le desirez. Ecrivez-moi si vous desirez plus d'information (pierre.talbot@iaf.uquebec.ca). Merci de prendre le temps de decider de l'avenir de votre Societe! (Veuillez ne pas portez attention a ce message si vous avez deja envoye votre vote) -- Dr. John Nash (moderator) Disclaimer: The National Research Council of Canada disclaims responsibility for the content of messages posted to this newsgroup. From owner-csm@net.bio.net Sun Nov 05 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!bcm.tmc.edu!news.msfc.nasa.gov!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net!torn!nott!nrcnet0.nrc.ca!csm From: nash@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Newsgroups: bionet.prof-society.csm Subject: CSM spam Date: Mon, 06 Nov 95 11:18:00 EST Organization: National Research Council, Canada Lines: 37 Approved: csm@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Distribution: world Message-ID: <309E3629@coursmtp.nrc.ca> NNTP-Posting-Host: nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Originator: csm@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Dear CSM members and newsgroup subscribers, Those of you who receive this newsgroup by email probably received an "interesting" and off-topic message recently. If you are a Usenet newsgroup user, you will have recognised this as "spam" and ignored it. For those of you who are wondering what has happened, here is a brief explanation. The latest fashion among sex providers and other charlatans on the Internet is to hijack newsgroups (and in CSM's case, newsgroup to email gateways) and flood them with messages advertising their nefarious wares. Flooding several newsgroups in this manner is called "spamming" and the message is called "spam" (I didn't invent the term). It involves "hacking" the methods of propagating messages on Usenet and (and news to email gateways) and sending the offender's own advertisement or political statement, often with forged moderator's approval. This particular individual hijacked several thousand different message bases (related to topics from star-trek to science to music), affecting at least a million subscribers!!! S/he managed to bypass our moderation which is designed to avoid these occurrences. Their service provider is attempting to "clean up" the damage by cancelling messages, but this only works on newsgroups, not email lists. Sorry, but it can't be helped or overcome. You just have to ignore it, and realise that for every one which gets through to you, your friendly moderator has pitched a hundred in the bit-bucket. john -- Dr. John Nash (moderator) Disclaimer: The National Research Council of Canada disclaims responsibility for the content of messages posted to this newsgroup. From owner-csm@net.bio.net Sun Nov 05 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!bcm.tmc.edu!news.msfc.nasa.gov!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in2.uu.net!spool.mu.edu!torn!nott!nrcnet0.nrc.ca!csm From: csm@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Newsgroups: bionet.prof-society.csm Subject: Re: CSM Spam Date: Mon, 6 Nov 1995 15:15:03 -0500 (EST) Organization: National Research Council, Canada Lines: 48 Approved: csm@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Distribution: world Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Originator: csm@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Dear CSM members, My-my, we certainly stirred up some life today. I wish this mailbox was so busy with CSM stuff . In response to my email explaining the recent spamming of our email server, I received the following note. Since I received it by private email, etiquette demands that I remove the sender's identification. csm member writes: >Thanks for the explanation. I am relatively new to the net, and was a little >annoyed and let them know. Is it better to ignore or retort prior to >trashing? Thanks for the explanation and for the friendly moderation! My response: Usually, by the time you read spam, the system administrators of the larger systems will have seen it and acted to remove it. At 8:15 am EST, the recent offending message had already disappeared from the Usenet newspools of the systems in Ottawa and in Denver, Colorado that I use to check message propagation. The news-to-email gateway is a few hours behind, so by the time that email users see spam, the perpetrator's mailbox will be clogged and sending bounced mail. As I said before: unfortunately, spammed email cannot be cancelled. I suggest (as does BIOSCI/bionet) that you read this newsgroup by Usenet reader instead of by email if this is an issue (it's also easier on your mailbox - ask your computer support folk for details). Spammers know they will lose their accounts for spamming - it's a calculated risk they take, and complaints to them or their innocent Internet Service Providers actually hamper their efforts to repair damage by slowing their systems down. I would advise you NOT to respond to spam as BIOSCI/bionet (or your friendly moderator) will complain loudly for you. However, if you are offended by a single rude posting, an email to postmaster@(the offender's sitename.domain) will do the trick. It is considered polite Usenet etiquette to CC the offender in this case. john -- Dr. John Nash (moderator) Disclaimer: The National Research Council of Canada disclaims responsibility for the content of messages posted to this newsgroup. From owner-csm@net.bio.net Mon Nov 06 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!ns1.faseb.org!ns1.faseb.org!not-for-mail From: ascbinfo@faseb.org (ASCB Info) Newsgroups: bionet.prof-society.ascb,bionet.prof-society.faseb,bionet.prof-society.csm,bionet.announce,bionet.prof-society.biophysics Subject: NIH Funding Alert Date: 7 Nov 1995 15:59:57 -0500 Organization: FASEB Lines: 144 Sender: ascbinfo@ns1.faseb.org Approved: moderator@faseb.org Message-ID: <47oh6g$k24@ns1.faseb.org> NNTP-Posting-Host: ns1.faseb.org Xref: biosci bionet.prof-society.ascb:57 bionet.prof-society.faseb:14 bionet.prof-society.csm:49 bionet.announce:2597 bionet.prof-society.biophysics:19 ---- November 8, 1995 To: Members of the Congressional Liaison Committee From: Joint Steering Committee for Public Policy Re: NIH Funding Letter-Immediate Action Needed THE ISSUE In response to the current budget impasse, the co-chairs of the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter on the NIH budget situation. The letter was circulated by Reps. George Gekas (R-PA), Bill Richardson (D-NM), and Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and asks that the NIH be a top priority during budget negotiations and be funded at the highest possible level for FY'96. ACTION NEEDED CLC members are asked to contact their Representatives now through December 1 to ask that they sign the "Dear Colleague" letter in support of increased funding for the NIH. Please call the Capitol switchboard (tel: 202/224-3121) to connect to your Representative's office. Ask that the Congressman/woman contact Seth Johnson in Congressman Gekas' office at 202/225-4315. The following Members have already signed the "Dear Colleague" letter: Porter (R-IL), Coyne (D-PA), Nethercutt (R-WA), Klug (R-WI), Fowler (R-FL), Clayton (D-NC), Pallone (D-NJ), Bentsen (D-TX), Morella (R-MD), Cunningham (R-CA), Clayton (D-NC), Davis (R-VA), Fox (R-PA), Olver (D-MA), Maloney (D-NY), Hall (D-OH), DeFazio (D-OR), Frank (D-MA), Markey (D-MA), Dellums (D-CA), McDermott (D-WA), Meehan (D-MA), and Dingell (D-MI). Dear Colleague: We are deeply concerned that the 5.7% FY'96 funding increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) passed by the House may be permanently delayed by the application of an across the board funding formula in any Continuing Resolution for Appropriations (CR). Under the current operating CR until Nov. 13th, the NIH is now funded by a 5% decease in funds from the FY'95 funding level. The NIH is a program that all parties in the budget negotiations-- the Administration, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees- -agreed was among the highest funding priorities for FY'96. It is foreseeable that the NIH may continue to be funded at the reduced level of 95% of last year's funds throughout FY'96. This would seriously jeopardize our progress in biomedical research and produce a result that no one supported. We are asking you to join us in the attached letter to President Clinton, Speaker Gingrich, Chairman Livingston, Senate Majority Leader Dole, and Chairman Hatfield. Please contact Seth Johnson at 225-4315 if you would like to sign on to the letter. (Signed) George Gekas, Bill Richardson, Cliff Stearns Excerpts of the letter to be signed by your Member of Congress follow: Dear____: We are concerned about the current funding situation for the NIH. The NIH. The NIH is a world leader in biomedical research. Its programs enjoy the broad bipartisan support of both the Congress and the American public. The Administration, as well as the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, all recommended FY'96 funding increases for the NIH, but the current CR reduces NIH funding to 95% of the FY'95 funding level. This reduction is unnecessary to achieve a balanced budget since both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees recommended the NIH increase in the context of a seven-year balanced budget plan. If the current CR's funding reduction for the NIH were to be continued beyond the November 13th expiration date in any future budget agreements, there will be serious consequences for the progress of biomedical research in the United States. The unintended consequences of across-the-board funding formulas with no budget priority decisions threaten future research efforts. Disease costs the nation billions every year in health care costs. As we strive to achieve a balanced budget, we must adopt policies and funding priorities that make the most of scarce federal dollars. Federal funding for biomedical research should be a top priority because without new strategies to prevent, intervene and treat diseases, health care costs will continue to spiral out of control. For example, last year the nation spent $90 billion on the care of the Alzheimer's patients. Significant progress through biomedical research to delay the most debilitating aspects of a disease requiring around the clock nursing care would save billions of Medicare and Medicaid dollars every year. An investment of one billion dollars in NIH research wuld be a bargain to save approximately $40 billion in federal health care costs. Currently, we fund only $300 millioon for NIH research on Alzheimer's disease. Adequate funding for the NIH not only saves scarce federal health care dollars, but also provides hope and solutions to the victims of diabetes, heart, stroke, and other chronic diseases. We strongly urge you to fund the National Institutes of Health in any budget agreement at the highest possible level for FY'96, consistent with the funding priorities set by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the Clinton Administration. Sincerely, (signed Member of Congress) * * * For more information, contact Jim Bernstein at the ASCB at 301/530-7153, or Pete Farnham at the ASBMB at 301/530-7147. ASCB ASBMB BS GSA AAA From owner-csm@net.bio.net Thu Nov 09 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!bcm.tmc.edu!news.msfc.nasa.gov!newsfeed.internetmci.com!howland.reston.ans.net!torn!nott!nrcnet0.nrc.ca!csm From: ba099@freenet.carleton.ca (Lynn Anderson) Newsgroups: bionet.prof-society.csm Subject: CSM Newsletter Date: Fri, 10 Nov 1995 09:58:46 -0500 Organization: National Research Council, Canada Lines: 1024 Approved: csm@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Distribution: world Message-ID: <199511101458.JAA26899@freenet3.carleton.ca> Reply-To: csm@magi.com NNTP-Posting-Host: nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Originator: csm@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca [Moderator's note: My apologies if the French accents don't turn out correctly. I believe it maybe an Internet gateway problem or a terminal-dependent character translation problem. - JN ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadian Society of Microbiologists/ Societe canadienne des microbiologistes established/etablie 1958 President's Message / Message du president . . . . . . .1 1995 Travelling Lectureship / Conference mobile 1995 . .3 The 1995 New England Biolabs Award Lecture / Conference du Prix New England Biolabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Books to Review / Livres a evaluer . . . . . . . . . . .6 Book Reviews / evaluations de livres.. . . . . . . . . .7 Meetings / Congres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Canada-Wide Science Fair - CSM Award Winner Writes to us / Exposition scientifique pan-canadienne: le gagnant du prix de la SCM nous ecrit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Position / Poste disponible. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Employment Placement Service / Service de placement. . 12 The CSM Newsletter is published three times a year: Fall, Winter & Spring. Deadlines are August 15 (Fall), December 1 (Winter) and March 1 (Spring). Direct correspondence, submissions or inquiries concerning advertising to: Le bulletin de nouvelles de la SCM est publie trois fois par annee: Automne, Hiver et Printemps. Les echeances de publication sont le 15 aot (Automne), le 1er decembre (Hiver et le 1er mars (Printemps). La correspondance directe, les soumissions et les requtes a propos des annonces doivent tre envoyees a: CSM SECRETARIAT/SECReTARIAT SCM A.S.A.P. Management Services 1200E Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, ON, K2C 1M9 Lynn Anderson or Shirley Newell (613) 723-7233 or/ou csm@magi.com or you may contact directly / ou vous pouvez contacter directement: PRESIDENT OF THE CSM / PReSIDENT DE LA SCM Dr. Pierre Talbot (514) 687-5010 x.4406 or/ou pierre_talbot@iaf.uquebec.ca NEWSLETTER EDITOR / eDITEUR DU BULLETIN DE NOUVELLES Dr. Ted Medzon (519) 661-3429 or/ou medzon@julian.uwo.ca ISBN: 0316-4934 President's Message / Message du president by/par Pierre Talbot, Ph.D. Welcome to the new Canadian Society of Microbiologists: a time for action! It has been more than forty years since the visionary Dr. Murray became the first President of the new Canadian Society of Microbiologists. He was followed by an impressive list of microbiologists dedicated to the cause of microbiology in Canada enough to become President of this Society. And this list includes Dr. Armand Frappier, who had founded in 1938 the Institute where I work and which proudly bears his name and heritage. Thanks to the persuasion quality of Claude Hamelin, whom many of you may remember the landmark Presidential speech in 1987 in Saskatoon, I now bear the intimidating responsibilities of being President of the CSM, knowing that I was not even born when Armand Frappier did the same. But what a stimulating challenge to be able to contribute ever so little to ensuring the future of the CSM is as bright as its past, in these years when microbiology is challenged by budget cutbacks that even contribute to put into question its own identity to a point where a Canadian Association of Microbiology Chairpersons was created last summer. The CSM also has a very important role to play in promoting microbiology in Canada, hence the sub-title of this unusually long message. We should all be proud to belong to a multi-disciplinary pan-Canadian Society that brings together all those who are interested in the "study of microbes". But that is exactly where a problem lies: not all Canadian microbiologists from universities, government and industry have chosen to be members of the CSM, for various reasons. Criticism of the CSM is sometimes heard: it is said to have no visibility with decision makers and the scientific caliber of the annual meeting is said to encourage some to chose instead to attend a big American meeting such as ASM or ASV. Whether we agree or not, this does introduce three objectives that we must pursue in the next years: CSM should be an attractive organization for all Canadian microbiologists, including its annual general meeting, and should have a high profile and visibility among those that have the power to make decisions that will impact on our profession and our future. As you will see with the enclosed Membership Directory, the CSM Executive, under the guidance of the 1st Vice-President Owen Ward, wanted to radically transform the Directory and incorporate into it the information previously found in the Graduate Studies issue. We hope that it will meet with your approval and that you will send us your suggestions to improve it next year. With the help of Ted Medzon, we plan to build a Web site for the CSM on the Internet that will complement the discussion group "bionet.prof-society.csm", coordinated by John Nash, and within which we plan to publish more and more information, including this newsletter, while hoping that our Internet-surfing microbiologist members will take advantage of this forum to exchange ideas and information on various aspects of microbiology in Canada. Do not hesitate to let us know what you expect of the CSM. Finally and as announced by our now Past-President Ray Marusyk in the Jan-Feb. 1995 newsletter and amply discussed at the very successful Annual Meeting organized by Andrew Kropinski and his colleagues in Kingston last June, time has now come for you to make an important decision about a possible association of the CSM with the Canadian Federation of Biological Societies (CFBS). The CSM Executive asks you to participate in large numbers in this very important choice by returning the enclosed ballot to the Secretariat before November 15. The Past-President of CFBS explained the purpose and mandate of CFBS in our last newsletter. This Federation regroups more than a dozen Societies like CSM and holds an Annual Meeting with some of them in June during the same week as our own meeting but from Wednesday to Saturday rather than Sunday to Thursday. I think that the main advantage for us to join CFBS would be to have a strong voice in Ottawa, where the full-time CFBS Executive Director Dr. Paul Hough, runs an office in constant contact with people and organizations that make decisions regarding Canadian science policy and funding that affect all of us, relaying to them the concerns of the Societies that are members of CFBS. A recent example was their involvement in the appointment of the new President of NSERC as of October 1st, Dr. Tom Brzustowski. Another advantage for several of our members would be to consider the possibility of holding our Annual Meeting at the same location as CFBS (which we will do in 1998 whatever happens since we have agreed to hold a joint CSM-CFBS meeting then) which would allow productive and exciting exchanges with colleagues from related disciplines, for example biochemistry and molecular biology, while preserving our identity of microbiologists by continuing to hold our own separate meeting (this is only and idea and we may very well decide to continue to hold our own completely separate meeting, as do several Societies that are affiliated with CFBS, such as the Canadian Society of Immunology). Dear Canadian microbiologists colleagues, make your opinions known and do get involved: strength is in uniting, whether within our own discipline or with others! Bienvenue a la nouvelle Societe canadienne des microbiologistes: c'est le temps d'agir! Voila plus de quarante ans que le visionnaire docteur Murray devenait le premier president de la nouvelle Societe canadienne des microbiologistes. Il fut suivi d'une liste impressionnante de microbiologistes dedies a la cause de la microbiologie au Canada au point de presider cette Societe. Et cette liste inclut bien sr le docteur Armand Frappier, qui avait fonde en 1938 I'Institut o je travaille et qui porte fierement son nom et son heritage. Grce a l'oeuvre de persuasion de Claude Hamelin, dont plusieurs se souviennent encore du discours memorable de president-sortant en 1987 a Saskatoon, je porte aujourd'hui le lourd fardeau de presider la SCM alors que je n'etais mme pas ne lorsque le docteur Frappier faisait de mme. Mais quel defi stimulant que de contribuer un tant soit peu a porter la SCM vers l'avenir, en ces annees o la microbiologie est prise d'assaut par les coupures budgetaires qui contribuent mme a remettre en cause son identite, au point de stimuler la formation l'ete dernier de l'Association canadienne des directeurs et directrices de departements de microbiologie. La SCM a aussi un rOle tres important a jouer dans la promotion de la microbiologie au Canada, d'o le sous-titre de ce message inhabituellement long. Nous devrions tous tre fiers d'appartenir a une Societe pan-canadienne multi- disciplinaire qui regroupe toutes les personnes interessees a "l'etude des microbes". Mais voila justement le probleme: les microbiologistes canadiens des milieux academiques, gouvernementaux et industriels ne sont pas tous membres de la SCM, pour diverses raisons. Certaines critiques de la SCM sont parfois entendues: elle n'aurait pas de visibilite aupres des preneurs de decisions et le calibre scientifique de son congres annuel porterait plusieurs a y substituer plutOt un gros congres americain comme celui de l'ASM ou de l'ASV. Que nous soyons d'accord ou pas, voila qui introduit trois objectifs pour les annees qui viennent: la SCM doit tre attrayante pour tous les microbiologistes canadiens, y incluant son congres annuel, et elle doit avoir une forte visibilite aupres de ceux qui ont le pouvoir de decider de notre fonctionnement et de notre avenir. Comme vous le constaterez en consultant le nouvel annuaire des members de la SCM joint a cet envoi, votre Executif a voulu rajeunir cet annuaire, sous l'impulsion dynamique de votre premier vice-president Owen Ward, pour en faire un outil qui rendra la SCM encore plus utile a ses membres et qui incorpore aussi l'information sur les etudes avancees precedemment publiee separement. Nous esperons que vous en serez satisfaits et que vous nous ferez part de vos commentaires pour l'ameliorer l'an prochain. Avec l'aide de Ted Medzon, nous comptons creer sous peu un site Web de la SCM sur Internet, qui s'ajoutera au groupe de discussion "bionet. prof-society.csm", pilote par John Nash, et sur lequel nous comptons afficher de plus en plus de materiel, dont ce bulletin de nouvelles, tout en esperant que nos membres microbiologistes internautes profiteront de cette tribune pour echanger sur divers aspects de la microbiologie au Canada. N'hesitez-pas a nous faire savoir ce a quoi vous vous attendez de la SCM. Pour terminer et tel qu'annonce par notre president-sortant Ray Marusyk dans le bulletin de nouvelles de janvier-mars 1995 et amplement discute lors de notre excellent congres annuel organise par Andrew Kropinski et ses collegues a Kingston en juin dernier, le moment est maintenant venu pour vous de prendre une decision importante a propos d'une affiliation eventuelle de la SCM avec la Federation canadienne des societes de biologie (FCSB). L'Executif de la SCM vous demande donc de participer massivement a ce choix tres important en retournant au Secretariat d' ici le 15 novembre le bulletin de vote joint a ce bulletin. Le president-sortant de la FCSB vous expliquait dans notre dernier bulletin de nouvelles en quoi consiste cette Federation qui regroupe plus d'une douzaine de societes scientifiques comme la SCM et qui tient un congres annuel avec quelques- unes d'entre elles en juin, durant la mme semaine que celle o nous tenons notre propre congres, mais du mercredi au samedi plutOt que du dimanche au jeudi. L'avantage principal de nous joindre a cette Federation serait, a mon avis, de retrouver une voix forte pour la microbiologie a Ottawa, o le directeur executif de la FSCB, le docteur Paul Hough, tient un bureau occupe a temps complet a interagir avec les divers decideurs de la politique scientifique au Canada, a leur relayer les diverses preoccupations des societes membres et a retourner a celles-ci diverses informations importantes. Un exemple concret et tres recent de leur action a ete d'tre implique dans le choix du nouveau president du CRSNG, le docteur Tom Brzustowski qui occupe ce poste depuis le 1er octobre. Un autre avantage pour plusieurs de nos membres serait de penser a tenir notre congres annuel au mme endroit que celui de la FCSB, ce que nous ferons quoiqu'il arrive a Edmonton en 1998 (congres conjoint SCM-FCSB), ce qui permettrait des echanges productifs avec nos collegues d'autres disciplines, par exemple la biochimie et la biologie moleculaire, tout en conservant notre identite de microbiologistes en continuant a tenir notre propre congres separe (ce n'est la qu'une idee et nous pourrions tres bien decider de continuer a tenir un congres completement separe, comme le font d'ailleurs plusieurs societes membres de la FCSB, comme la Societe canadienne d'immunologie). Chers collegues microbiologistes canadiens, exprimez-vous et impliquez-vous: l'union fait la force, que ce soit dans notre discipline ou avec d'autres! The 1995 CSM Travelling Lectureship/ La conference mobile de la SCM 1995 by/par Colin R. Bell, Ph.D. The recipient of this year's CSM Travelling Lectureship was Dr. Harvey Artsob, Chief of National Laboratory for Special Pathogens, LCDC, Ottawa. Dr. Artsob travelled to each of the four Maritime provincial capitals during the week of March 20 delivering talks to both the general public and the medical profession. He delivered presentations throughout the week on his speciality of Zoonotic Diseases. Harvey's sojourn started in St. John's with Dr. John Gow as host. His presentation to the Department of Biology at MUN was attended by over 50 people, with a good representation of entomologists as well as microbiologists. He then conferred with Dr. Sam Ratnam, the provincial bacteriologist, and other members of staff, at the General Hospital. The next port of call was Fredericton where Dr. Bill Lynch of UNB and Dr. Peter Leighton of Everett Chalmer's Hospital graciously served as hosts. On the Tuesday morning, March 21, Dr. Artsob's presentation to the clinicians at Everett Chalmer's on Arbovirus, Hantavirus and Lyme Disease in Canada was teleconferenced to other medical institutions throughout New Brunswick. Four other centres signed on for the teleconference. Following the time at the hospital, Harvey then delivered the more general talk on Zoonotic Diseases to over 40 people in the Department of Biology at UNB. Potential research collaborations were raised by a few researchers. On Wednesday, Dr. Artsob was in Halifax with Dr. Ken Rozee as host. The first presentation was of a more clinical nature, in a roundtable format, to the staff of the clinical research unit of the Victoria General Hospital. In the afternoon, the talk on zoonoses was attended by 40-50 people. During this presentation, Dr. Artsob paid tribute to the late Dr. Juan Embil, who died in 1994, noting that Dr. Embil is responsible for much of our present knowledge on the occurrence of arboviruses in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The final city visited was Charlottetown where Dr. Barbara Horney of the Atlantic Veterinary College served as hostess. Dr. Artsob gave two lectures held on the campus of UPEI. The first talk on zoonoses was attended by over 90 people from a wide range of backgrounds. The audience consisted of veterinary students, faculty of the AVC, local veterinarians, physicians, personnel from the provincial health department and wildlife biologists. The audience at the second talk was much smaller due to inclement weather which blew in that evening. However once again collaborations and an invitation to speak again to a meeting of Veterinary Pathologists arose from the meeting. All hosts commented how stimulating Dr. Artsob's presentations were and so, on behalf of the CSM, I wish to thank Harvey for his time and effort. I note with pleasure that Harvey was moved by the hospitality he received while in the Maritimes, so I believe I can close by saying that the lectureship was a success for all concerned. Le conferencier mobile de la SCM pour l'annee 1995 a ete Dr. Harvey Artsob, Chef du Laboratoire national des pathogenes speciaux, LCLM, Ottawa. Le docteur Artsob s'est rendu dans chacune des capitales des quatre provinces Maritimes durant la semaine du 20 mars pour y prononcer des conferences qui s'adressaient au grand public et a la profession medicale. Ses presentations touchaient sa specialite: les maladies liees aux zoonoses. Le sejour du Dr. Artsob a commence a Saint-Jean, Terre-Neuve, o le Dr. John Gow fut son hOte. Sa presentation au departement de biologie de l'Universite Memorial a attire plus de 50 personnes, avec une bonne representation d'entomologistes et de microbiologistes. Il a ensuite discute avec le bacteriologiste provincial, le Dr. Sam Ratnam, et d'autres membres du personnel du General Hospital. L'arrt suivant fut Fredericton, o les docteurs Bill Lynch de l'Universite du Nouveau-Brunswick et Peter Leighton du Everett Chalmer's Hospital ont gracieusement servi d'hOtes. Le mardi matin 21 mars, la conference du Dr. Artsob aux cliniciens du Everett Chalmer's Hospital a propos des arbovirus, du Hantavirus et de la maladie de Lyme fut retransmise a quatre autres institutions medicales a travers le Nouveau-Brunswick. Par la suite, Harvey a presente une conference plus generale sur les maladies liees aux zoonoses devant plus de 40 personnes au departement de biologie de l'Universite du Nouveau-Brunswick. Des collaborations possibles de recherche furent discutees par quelques chercheurs. Le mercredi, le Dr. Artsob etait a Halifax, avec le Dr. Ken Rozee comme hOte. Sa premiere conference fut de nature plus clinique et dans le format d'une table ronde avec les employes de l'unite de recherche clinique du Victoria General Hospital. Dans l'apres-midi, la conference sur les zoonoses a attire entre 40 et 50 personnes. Durant cette presentation, le Dr. Artsob a rendu hommage au docteur Juan Embil, decede en 1994, faisant remarquer que le Dr. Embil etait a l'origine d'a peu pres tout ce que nous connaissons maintenant sur la prevalence des arbovirus en Nouvelle-ecosse, au Nouveau-Brunswick et a l'Ile du Prince edouard. La derniere ville visitee fut Charlottetown, o le Dr. Barbara Horney, du Atlantic Veterinary College a joue le rOle d'hOtesse. Le Dr. Artsob a alors presente deux conferences sur le campus de l'Universite. Plus de 90 personnes de diverses specialites ont assiste a sa premiere conference sur les zoonoses: il s'agissait d'etudiants de la Faculte de medecine veterinaire, de professeurs du College veterinaire, de medecins veterinaires locaux, de medecins, d'employes du departement de sante provinciale et de biologistes de la faune. L'auditoire pour la deuxieme conference fut beaucoup plus reduit en raison de la mauvaise temperature lors de cette soiree. Malgre tout, des idees de collaboration et une invitation a revenir parler au pathologistes veterinaires ont resulte de cette conference. Tous les hotes ayant commente sur la qualite stimulante des presentations du Dr. Artsob, j'aimerais donc, au nom de la SCM, remercier Harvey pour son temps et ses efforts. Je note avec plaisir que Harvey a ete emu de l'hospitalite reue alors qu'il visitait les Maritimes et je peux donc conclure en disant que cette serie de conferences fut un succes pour tous. The 1995 New England Biolabs Award Lecture / Conference du Prix New England Biolabs Assembly and diversity of surface polysaccharides in gram negative bacteria. Abstract of the 1995 New England Biolabs Award Lecture presented by Chris Whitfield, Department of Microbiology, University of Guelph at the Kingston CSM meeting. The molecules and macromolecules found on the surfaces of bacterial cells show remarkable structural variations and give rise to tremendous antigenic diversity. In members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, much of the cell surface is covered by polysaccharides, including capsular polysaccharides (K-antigens), lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) and enterobacterial common antigen (ECA). In my laboratory we are interested in the mechanisms involved in the synthesis of these polysaccharides, interactions between the various synthesis pathways, and the molecular basis for their structural and antigenic diversity. Much of our current research involves LPSs. Lipopolysaccharides are amphipathic glycoconjugates which are essential and characteristic components of the gram- negative outer membrane. The hydrophobic lipid A domain of LPS forms the outer leaflet of the outer membrane. The hydrophilic O antigen is attached via the core oligosaccharide to lipid A and extends away from the cell surface. The resulting surface layer is involved in interactions with the environment and often functions in a protective capacity. Lipopolysaccharides have long been acknowledged to be important virulence determinants in pathogenic bacteria. Structural diversity in O antigens results from variations in sugar composition, sequences of sugars and linkages, and substitution of monomers with non-sugar residues. There are two pathways known for the synthesis of O antigens. Both pathways begin with sugar nucleotide precursors synthesized in the cytoplasm and terminate by addition (ligation) of completed O antigen to preformed (and independently synthesized) lipid A-core at the periplasmic face of the plasma membrane. The intervening events are quite different in each pathway and reflect fundamental differences in the transmembrane topology of the O-antigen synthetic complexes. Work in Miguel Valvano's laboratory at the University of Western Ontario and by the groups of Paul Manning, Renato Morona, and Peter Reeves in Australia has focused on the biosynthesis of heteropolysaccharide O antigens in Salmonella enterica, Shigella species and some E. coli isolates. Heteropolysaccharide O antigens are assembled by a block-wise assembly process in which individual oligosaccharide repeat units (O units) are assembeld in lipid intermediates at the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane. The lipid-linked O units are then exported to the periplasmic face, where two characteristic enzymes, Rfc and Rol, are involved in the polymerization of the O units prior to ligation. The biosynthesis of homopolysaccharide O antigens from E. coli, Klebsiella species, and Serratia marcescens has been studied in my laboratory and by the groups of Klaus Jann in Germany and Nobuo Kido in Japan. Homopolysaccharide O antigens are not assembled in a block-wise fashion. Instead, fully polymerized O antigens are assembled by sequential and processive transfer of sugars to a lipid intermediate at the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane. An ATP-binding cassette transporter is then required for export of the polymer to the periplasmic face of the plasma membrane prior to ligation. No Rfc or Rol enzymes are involved. This system resembles formation of some capsular polysaccharides in E. coli, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Although molecular bioloy has allowed us to begin to describe the components involved in assembly of O antigens, we are still a long way from understanding the precise mechanisms involved in these process. The two most intriguing questions, with perhaps the broadest implications, are: 1) How are polysaccharides or lipid-linked O units translocated across the plasma membrane? and 2) What are the steps involved in taking a completed LPS molecule from the ligation step at the periplasmic face of the plasma membrane, to its final destination on the cell surface? Evolution of antigenic diversity in O antigens is generally thought to have occurred via repeated rearrangements and reassortments of genes within the gene cluster (designated rfb) whose products are responsible for O antigen formation. Lateral transfer of rfb genes from other serotypes or species, followed by recombination within rfb, provides one mechanism which could account for the extensive diversity that exists today. There are now several examples which support such events. In E. coli 09:K30, we have found IS1 elements flanking a duplicated region within rfb. The duplicated regions contain two genes, rfbM and rfbK, and each of the duplicated gene pairs is flanked by unique sequences, allowing distinction between the two varients. In surveys of other 09 isolates we find either one or the other variant of the rfbM and rfbK pair, but most strains lack the duplication. IS1-mediated events may therefore have played a role in establishing the diversity in rfbM and rfbK in this serotype. Peter Reeves' group have described hybrid rfb clusters in some S. enterica serovars, which are proposed to have originated by a recombination event between two known rfb clusters. A repeat sequence element (H-repeat) is implicated in the process. Similar events are now thought to have been involved in the transfer of new genes into the rfb cluster of Vibrio cholerae 01, to give rise to the 0139 isolate which is the causative organism in emerging cholera epidemics. Evasion of the immune response raised against previous infection with the 01 serotype provides a very strong selective pressure favouring acquisition and maintenance of the new 0139 genes. While these examples illustrate the potential processes and end results of recombination events, there remains the question of how novel rfb genes are transferred between bacteria. There is extensive evidence that modification of O antigens by addition of residues including glycosyl residues and O-acetyl groups results from the activities of gene products encoded by lysogenic bacteriophages. However, it must be acknowledged that these lysogenic bacteriophages are integrated into the chromosome outside rfb and their products genereally act in concert with existing rfb functions. An alternate method for lateral gene transfer is through plasmids. In some S. enterica and Shigella species, various amounts of the rfb gene complement are located on plasmids. We have recently shown that the entire rfb cluster for the O:54 O antigen of S. enterica is located on a mobilizable plasmid related to ColE1. Acquisition of the plasmid alters the O antigen serotype of the recipient and provides one direct example of lateral rfb gene transfer between serotypes and species. O antigens provide complex and fascinating model systems for the study of membrane and cell surface biogenesis in bacteria. As crucial virulence determinants for many bacteria, reactions involved in the formation of LPS provide a range of potential new targets for therapeutic intervention. In addition, detailed analyses of the rfb gene loci are providing intriguing information concerning the evolution of antigenic diversity. There remain many unanswered questions in this field of research but with the application of multidisciplinary approaches involving molecular biology, biochemistry and bacterial physiology, the tools are now available to begin to address these issues in detail. Books To Review/ Livres a evaluer If you would like to produce a review of a particular book, please contact the Secretariat, 1200E Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K2C 1M9. For your kind services, you will be given the book. Here is a list of books now available for review. Si vous desirez evaluer un livre en particulier et nous remettre votre evaluation pour publication, veuillez contacter le Secretariat, 1200E Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa K2C 1M9. Pour vous remercier de votre travail, le livre vous sera offert gracieusement. Voici la liste des livres presentement disponibles. 1. Haematological oncology, Cambridge Medical Reviews, Volume 1, Editors: A. Newland, A. Burnett, A. Keating, J. Armitage, Cambridge University Press, 247 pages, $84.95. 2. X-ray Microanalysis in Biology: Experimental Techniques and Applications, Edited by David C. Sigee, A. John Morgan, Adrian T. Sumner, Alice Warley, Cambridge University Press, 329 pages, $89.95. 3. The Eukaryotic Genome: Organization and Regulation, Edited by P.M.A. Broda, S.G. Oliver and P.F.G. Sims, Cambridge University Press, 377 pages, $120.00. 4. Animal Cells as Bioreactors, Editors: Sir James Baddiley, N.H. Carey, I.J. Higgins, W.G. Potter, Cambridge University Press, 184 pages, $44.95. [Two copies for review] 5. Microalgae: Biotechnology and Microbiology, E.W. Becker, Cambridge University Press, Hardcover, $69.95. [We have received 2 copies for review.] 6. Biochemistry and Physiology of Neutrophil, Steven Edwards, Cambridge University Press, Hardback, $54.95. [2 copies for review] 7. Introduction to Animal Parasitology, Third Edition, J.D. Smyth, Hardback, $110.00. [2 copies for review] 8. Transformation of Plants and Soil Microorganisms, Edited by K. Wang, A. Herrera-Estrella and M. Van Montagu, Cambridge University Press, Hardback, $84.95. 9. Population Genetics of Bacteria, Edited by S. Baumberg, J.P.W. Young, E.M.H. Wellington and J.R. Sanders, Cambridge University Press, Hardback, $110.00 [2 copies for review] 10. Fifty Years of Antimicrobials: Past Perspectives and Future Trends, Edited by P.A. Hunter, G.K. Darby and N.J. Russell, Cambridge University Press, Hardback, $115.00 [2 copies for review] 11. Bioextraction and biodeterioration of Metals, Edited by C.C. Gaylarde and H.A. Videla, Cambridge University Press, Hardback, $99.95 [ 2 copies for review] 12. Gene Cloning and Manipulation, C. Howe, Cambridge University Press, Paperback, $19.95 13. The Physiology of Fungal Nutrition, D.H. Jennings, Cambridge University Press, Hardback, $150.00 Bacterial Plant Pathology: Cell and Molecular Aspects David C. Sigee. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1993. Reviewed by Tanya Noel, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary Bacterial Plant Pathology: Cell and Molecular Aspects attempts to encompass a wide range of topics within the area of bacterial plant pathology. In its 325 pages, it does discuss the basic concepts underlying knowledge in this field and mentions some areas of current research. The book begins with some very basic concepts needed to understand bacterial plant pathology. The first chapter introduces bacteria in the role of plant pathogens, giving a brief description of general aspects of plant pathology. Chapter two goes into the structure and function of bacteria, while chapter three describes the taxonomy of bacterial plant pathogens. The next few chapters discuss the relationship of the plant and pathogens. Chapter four concerns the various environments in which the pathogens are found, and chapter five is devoted to the process of plant infection. The hypersensitive response is discussed at length in chapter six, and this is a comprehensive explanation of this important pathogenic event. Virulence, and the diseases caused by plant pathogenic bacteria are described in chapter seven. The genetic aspects of plant pathogenic bacteria are discussed in chapter eight. In this chapter, a basic introduction to molecular genetics, and molecular genetic techniques is included so that one may fully understand the material presented in this chapter, even if one lacks a molecular background. This chapter covers many interesting and important genetic topics in bacterial plant pathology. The final chapter discusses the control of disease caused by bacterial pathogens. This book does give an overview of what is known in various areas of bacterial plant pathology. There are many useful diagrams, the writing is clear and the book is well-organized. This book is not inexpensive at $84.95, and all pictures and illustrations are in black and white. Also, the subtitle of "Cell and Molecular Aspects" is perhaps slightly misleading. Most of the molecular aspects are covered at a rather basic level in chapter eight, and many of the recent discoveries at the molecular and genetic level are only briefly mentioned, if at all. However, this book does provide a clearly written, comprehensive introduction to a complicated topic and is well worth reading if one wishes to have a good general understanding of bacterial plant pathology. Gastrointestinal and hepatic immunology Edited by R.V. Heatley, Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, 1995, 394 pp., hard cover, $110.00 ISBN 0 521 44509 4. Reviewed by: Charles M. Dozois, Faculte de medecine veterinaire, Universite de Montreal At first glance, I was somewhat dissuaded by this book's title which was not fully indicative of the book's general aim as stated in the blurbs on the book jacket and inner sleeve. The book was presented as the third volume in a series focussing on the clinical immunology of human autoimmune disorders. In fact, the eighteen chapters of this book encompass a broad range of topics in mucosal and hepatic immunology and the scope of this text is by no means limited to gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatic autoimmune disease. Topics covered in the book include a general overview of mucosal immunology, gastritis, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), food allergy and intolerance, primary and secondary (AIDS) immunodeficiency, intestinal infections, lymphomas, small bowel and liver transplant, hepatitis, and a chapter each on clinical aspects of immunologically mediated intestinal and hepatic diseases. This book is recommended as a reference guide for clinical immunologists and clinicians. Some of the chapters include sections on treatment and management of patients as well as the immunological aspects of certain diseases. As well, many of the chapters in this text are also pertinent to scientists or students who are interested in mucosal or hepatic immunology and host response to GI and hepatic infectious diseases. The book's layout is generally well organized and logical consisting of three main sections: introductory chapters, GI diseases, and hepatic diseases. Placement of the two chapters on immunodeficiency in the middle of the section on GI diseases detracted from the logical flow, but perhaps this was done to provide a change of pace. The book also includes a subject index. The first three chapters overview aspects of lymphoid tissue anatomy and histology, lymphocyte migration to the gut, and regulation of gut mucosal defence. These introductory chapters are well illustrated with figures and reference tables and provide a sound foundation for the ensuing chapters on the immunology of GI and hepatic diseases. The weaknesses of this book are redundancy in presentation of Gell and Coombs' four types of hypersensitivity reactions in both the chapter on food allergy (Ch. 7) and the chapter on clinical aspects of GI diseases (Ch. 13). As well, in the chapter on gastritis a number of the figures were extraneous and did not add to the comprehensiveness of the text. Also, a subtitle on page 85 of this chapter was erroneously integrated within its section paragraph and caused some confusion. Overall strong points of this book include its clear exposition and coverage of a wide range of topics pertaining to GI and hepatic immunology. The contributors provide chapters that are up to date and well referenced. Each of the chapters is written with an approach that provides useful information and concepts that are of benefit to clinicians as well as researchers and students interested in these areas of immunology. The Outer Reaches of Life John Postgate, Cambridge University Press, 1994, 276 pages ISBN 0-521-44010-6. Price $22.95. Reviewed by R.M. Baxter This is a book for the general reader on the conditions under which life, or more particularly microbial life, can exist. The first chapters deal with microbes living under extreme physical and chemical conditions: thermophiles, psychrophiles, barophiles, halophiles, acidophiles and alkalophiles. The outer reaches of life with respect to these conditions can now be defined with some confidence. These are temperatures, from a few degrees below the freezing point of water to a few degrees above the boiling point; hydrostatic pressures, up to several hundred atmospheres; salt concentrations, up to saturation with sodium chloride; and pH from about 1 to about 13. The physiological mechanisms of adaptation to extreme conditions are also fairly well understood. There appear to be two: the maintenance of the internal media in a more benign state than that outside and the structural modification of cellular components, especially proteins and lipids, to enable them to function under the conditions to which they are exposed. Subsequent chapters discuss a wide range of microbes of remarkable metabolic capabilities: anaerobes; autotrophs; organisms that can degrade synthetic compounds unknown in nature; nitrogen fixers. The author also discusses organisms that seem to live on nothing at all, such as the tufts of mould that sometimes appear in laboratory solutions. These exist on traces of nutrients in distilled water and reagents and in the air. He discusses the motility of microbes, and their responses to various stimuli, or taxes. These include responses to light (phototaxis), to various solutes (chemotaxis) and to temperature (thermotaxis) and the surprising phenomenon of magnetotaxis. The final chapters deal with more general topics: the origin and evolution of life, competition and symbiosis, the survival of microbes in the absence of growth, and the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe. I would recommend this book to anyone who takes pleasure in reading about the beauty and wonder of the natural world. The author has a pleasant and lucid style and an obviously complete mastery of his subject matter. He has avoided chemical formulas, and mathematics except the definition of pH. This is presented in the form of a conversation with his daughter which I must confess I found a little overly cute. I detected no serious errors, although I would question the statement that the earth's surface is mildly acid. I believe the waters of the sea and of most rivers and lakes are slightly alkaline. The author looks forward to the day when the elements of science will be accepted as an essential part of human culture, although he feels that day is still a generation or two away. When one considers the pseudo-scientific and anti- scientific nonsense that besets us on all sides, this estimate perhaps appears over-optimistic. However if such a time is ever to come, books like this will play an important part. Meanwhile microbiologists would do well to read it, and to recommend it to their non-microbiological friends. Introduction to Biocatalysis Using Enzymes and Microorganisms Edited by S.M. Roberts, N.J. Turner, A.J. Willetts and M.K. Turner. Cambridge, University Press, N.Y. 1995, pp. 195. ISBN 0-521-43070-4 Hardback $49.95 ISBN 0521-43685-0 Paperback $1995. Reviewed by Jean-Luc Berger, McGill University Another title could not be more appropriate. Indeed this book is entirely devoted to enzyme-catalysed reactions and whole-cell-mediated transformations in organic synthesis (biotransformations). It provides a comprehensive summary of numerous biological conversions including pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, fragrances and flavors. This 195 page book can be divided into three major parts. (1) Part 1 includes chapters 1 and 2. The introductory chapter presents an overview of the history of biotransformations and comprehensive references are provided. The second chapter describes some practical experiments using bacteria and fungi (theory and experimental practice of enzyme-catalysed microbial transformations). It includes a series of questions and answers which give this chapter a dynamic structure. (2) The subsequent chapters are devoted to the description of various biotransformation processes. Chapter 3 deals with the hydrolysis of esters, amides, nitrites and epoxides and the enzyme-catalysed synthesis of esters and amides. Chapter 4 reports useful intermediates and end-products obtained from biocatalysed oxidation and reduction. Chapter 5 surveys the enzymes implicated in the carbon-carbon bond forming systems (aldolases, transketolases, lyases haloperoxidases). This chapter also includes a discussion of the synthesis of carbohydrate derivatives, including oligosaccharides. (3) The last chapter deals with the applications of biocatalysis to the manufacture of fine chemicals and with the description of some industrially important large-scale bioconversions. Since the objectives of the authors were well established, there is no surprise in this book. It is organized in an orderly and useful fashion. Don't expect to find a treatise on bioconversions in organic solvents. In all the chapters, explanations are brief and concise. All the topics reported are well covered and their applications and limitations are pointed out. Production and economic perspectives are always taken into consideration. Also, you will not find any chapter on the catalytic activity of antibodies. This was deliberate because the feeling of the authors was that a more specialized text book will be more appropriate to a such recent topic, a good decision. The main criticism is that references are limited, except in chapters 1 and 2. This was also deliberate because the references provided are supposed to be a starting point for gathering further information. This book achieves its objective as stated in the preface in terms of "an introductory text intended to give the non-specialist a comprehensive insight into the science of biotransformations". Overall, this book is well written and endowed with tables, figures and schemes. Since the price in its paperback format is attractive, it could be a good textbook or backbone for a course in the developing field of biotransformations. This book deserves a place in the library of graduate and post-graduate levels as a valuable source of information on this vital area. The uses of life. A history of biotechnology Robert Bud, Cambridge University Press, New York, 1993, 299 pp., paperback, $19.95 US Reviewed by Barry Ziola, Ph.D. Dept. of Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan I suspect most people have no idea of where the term "biotechnology" originated (I didn't before I read Robert Bud's book). This is despite current wide usage of the term. If ignorance is inexcusable, then reading this book is an excellent way to learn about the evolution of biotechnology since before the turn of the century. In chapters one and two, the author covers early aspects of "the uses of life". Not surprisingly, zymotechnology (alcohol fermentation and related processes) played a large role. What did surprise me, however, is that initial usage of "biotechnology" is attributable to Karl Ereky, a Hungarian agricultural engineer. Ereky wrote in 1919 that "the category of biotechnology" included "all such work by which products are produced from raw materials with the aid of living organisms". Although Ereky was referring to animal conversion of waste to usable products, his view still applies to the bio-engineered single-cell organisms used extensively today. After setting the historical place of zymotechnology and agriculture with regard to biotechnology, the author goes on to describe in chapters three through five how modifying nature through applying engineering processes to biology became widespread. The decreasing role of chemical engineers, and the increasing role of biologists, and later biochemists and microbiologists, in this process is emphasized. Contributions made by key individuals, groups, and countries are detailed. Chapter six lays out the role played by the so-called green revolution when considering biotechnology. Described here is how the great promise of producing food for the masses drove changes in thinking and research in the 1960's and early 1970's. Chapter seven then deals with how this shift in rationale for renewed and expanded biotechnological research resulted in individuals, institutions, and governments giving considerable attention to definition and redefinition of policy covering biotechnology. The eighth chapter covers the tremendous impact brought by genetic engineering (recombinant DNA techniques). With ability to manipulate nucleic acid virtually in any species, imagination alone serves as the boundary for biotechnological developments. As detailed in the final chapter, commercialization of biotechnological advances has accelerated dramatically over the past two decades. In this as well as in earlier chapters, the author interweaves the ethical considerations that go hand-in-hand with new biotechnological developments. While scientists generally have embraced change that can be made through biotechnological approaches, the general public remains skeptical (as clearly exemplified by the continuing controversy in Canada on using recombinant bovine somatotropin to increase milk production). Robert Bud is not an easy read due to his occasional use of ponderous language. Despite this drawback, his book will be of interest to a broad spectrum of individuals. Robert Bud clearly has filled a void in terms of documentation for the history of science. Publication of his book is timely, since we are already starting to deal with implications arising from ongoing work to obtain the complete genetic sequences of species as diverse as bacteria, yeast, and human. June 16-20, 1996 -- P.E.I. / 16-20 juin 1996 CSM Annual Meeting/Congres annuel SCM, University of P.E.I., Charlottetown, PEI. Contact: Dr. F. Kibenge, Dept. of Pathology & Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of P.E.I., 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI, C1A 4P3; tel: (902) 566-0967 August 11-16, 1996 -- Jerusalem Xth International Congress for Virology. Contact: Yechiel Becker, Dept. of Molecular Virology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12272, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel. Fax: 9722784010. August 18-23,1996 - Jerusalem International Congress of Bacteriology and Mycology, Jerusalem, Israel. Contact: Secretariat, Israel Society for Microbiology, P.O. Box 122-6, Jerusalem 91120, Israel September 15-21, 1996 - Davos, CH The 1995 International Symposium on Subsurface Microbiology (ISSM '96). Scope and topics: Methodology - recent innovations and current limitations; Subsurface microbial ecology; Subsurface microbial geochemistry; Strategies for bioremediation; Origin and evolution of subsurface microorganisms. Deadline for submission of abstracts: April 1, 1996. Contact: Prof. Reinhard Bachofen, Institute of Plant Biology, Zollikerstr. 107, CH-8008 Zrich; Fax (+41) 1 385 42 04; Tel (+41) 1 385 42 80; E-mail bachofen@botinst.unizh.ch Canada-Wide Science Fair - CSM Award Winner Writes to us... / Exposition scientifique pan-canadienne: le gagnant du prix de la SCM nous ecrit... from Paul Lem My experiment, Sizzling Cells! The Response of Heat Shocked E. coli to Laser UV Radiation, was the winner of the CSM Special Award and a Silver Medal in the Senior Life Sciences Division at the 34th Annual Canada-Wide Science Fair. The sponsorship of the award by the CSM is deeply appreciated. It was one of the highlights of my week in the Yukon and has encouraged me to consider studying Microbiology in university. Thank you for your generous support. The CSM sends its condolences to the families of two of our colleagues who have recently passed away / La SCM transmet ses plus sinceres condoleances aux familles de deux de nos collegues qui sont decedes recemment: Dr. Ian Duncan, formerly Head of Medical Microbiology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, Toronto and Dr. Max Firtel, Department of Microbiology, University of Toronto. Associate Research Scientist (Microbiologist/Immunologist) Connaught Laboratories Limited invites applicants for an Associate Research Scientist or Research Scientist position in the Microbiology Department of the Connaught Centre for Biotechnology Research. Candidates with training and research experience in host resistance to intracellular microbial pathogens (in particular mycobacteria), and in the development and evaluation of animal models for bacterial pathogens are sought. Requirements include a doctoral degree and post-doctoral experience in microbiology, immunology and/or pathology. The successful applicant will be part of a multi-disciplinary research team, and will be expected to establish a research programme complementing the team's objectives. Position and salary will be commensurate with experience and education. Connaught Laboratories Limited will provide a competitive salary and compensation benefits package. Qualified candidates, please send or fax your resume by September 18, 1995 to: Louis Elmaleh, Human Resources Connaught Laboratories Limited 1755 Steeles Avenue West North York, Ontario M2R 3T4 Canada FAX: (416) 667-9391 We want to thank all applicants, however, only those under consideration will be contacted. Employment Placement Service / Service de placement by/par Jeff Farber, Chairperson of the Employment and Placement Committee / President du Comite d'emploi et placement This service was initiated in 1982 in response to the large numbers of members seeking either an initial or a different job. Over the years, there have been a number of changes both in the demand for its services and in its administration. Originally there were a large number of vacant positions on file, together with a large number of applicants. Unfortunately, of late, we are not receiving, nor are able to obtain a sufficient number of position vacancies to meet the demand for jobs. It is realized that we are still realistically in a recession. However, our members are represented in many corporations, universities and agencies employing microbiologists, and should be able to be among the first to be aware of any positions that become available. To fulfill its mandate, this service needs the support of all its members in providing notices of positions available to the Secretariat. In the future, we hope that with everyone's help, we can respond more quickly to members seeking jobs, by mailing out a list of current job positions that are available and suitable to the candidate. For fastest service, please phone, fax or e-mail your request for job information or your job postings to the Secretariat at Tel. (613) 723-7233; Fax (613) 723- 8792; E-mail: csm@magi.com. It is the response and support of CSM members which will govern the success or failure of this program. So please remember, if you hear of any "job openings", please let us know so that we can continue to serve the needs of our members in a productive and timely fashion. Ce service a ete mis en place en 1982 en reponse a la demande d'un grand nombre de membres a la recherche d'un premier ou d'un nouvel emploi. Au cours des annees, a la fois la demande pour ce service et la maniere avec laquelle il a ete administre a change considerablement. Au debut, il y avait plusieurs postes disponibles et plusieurs candidats. Depuis, nous ne recevons malheureusement pas et ne sommes pas capables d'obtenir un nombre suffisant d'offres d'emploi pour suffire a la demande. Il semble que nous soyons toujours en pratique dans une recession. Toutefois, nos membres sont presents dans plusieurs corporations, universites et agences qui emploient des microbiologistes et devraient donc tre parmi les premiers a tre informes de postes qui deviennent disponibles. Pour realiser son mandat, ce service a donc besoin du support de ces membres qui pourraient informer le Secretariat de ces offres d'emploi. A l'avenir, nous esperons qu'avec l'aide de tous, nous pourrons plus rapidement aider nos membres qui sont a la recherche d'un emploi en leur faisant parvenir une liste de postes disponibles pertinents a leurs besoins. Pour un service plus rapide, veuillez telephoner, telecopier ou utiliser le courrier electronique pour faire parvenir au Secretariat les offres d'emploi. Telephone: (613) 723-7233; Telecopie: (613) 723-8792; Courrier electronique: csm@magi.com. C'est la reponse et le support des membres de la SCM qui dictera le succes ou l'echec de ce programme. Alors, je vous demande de vous souvenir que si vous tes au courant d'une offre d'emploi, nous apprecierions que nous en fassiez part de faon a ce que nous puissions continuer a repondre aux besoins de nos membres d'une maniere productive et rapide. -- Lynn Anderson CSM Secretariat csm@magi.com -- Dr. John Nash (moderator) Disclaimer: The National Research Council of Canada disclaims responsibility for the content of messages posted to this newsgroup. From owner-csm@net.bio.net Tue Nov 28 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!bcm.tmc.edu!news.msfc.nasa.gov!newsfeed.internetmci.com!uwm.edu!lll-winken.llnl.gov!nntp.coast.net!simtel!torn!nott!nrcnet0.nrc.ca!csm From: de woods Newsgroups: bionet.prof-society.csm Subject: Position Opening Date: Tue, 28 Nov 1995 13:59:17 PST Organization: National Research Council, Canada Lines: 46 Approved: csm@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Distribution: world Message-ID: Reply-To: de woods NNTP-Posting-Host: nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Originator: csm@nrcbsa.bio.nrc.ca Could you please send the announcment regarding the vacant position of Department Head in the Faculty of Medicine out through your net? Thank you for your attention to this matter. ======================================================================== Head, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases The Univesity of Calgary Faculty of Medicine invites applications and nominations for the position of Head of the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. We are searching for an outstanding academic individual with an MD and/or PhD or equivalent degree; a strong record of research in micorbiology, infectious diseases, or related fields in molecular biology and biochemistry; and proven administrative leadership and abilities. If the successful candidate holds a medical degree and wishes to practice, he/she must be eligible for licensure as a specialist in the Province of Alberta. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. The University of Calgary is committed to Employment Equity. Applications and nominations, including a curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests and academic goals, and the names of three referees, should be forwarded by January 31, 1996, to: Dr. E.R. Smith Dean, Faculty of Medicine The University of Calgary 3330 Hospital Drive, N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1 Thank you for your attention to this matter. D.E. Woods -- Dr. John Nash (moderator) Disclaimer: The National Research Council of Canada disclaims responsibility for the content of messages posted to this newsgroup.