Biology pupils from across the North-east are among those gathering in Aberdeen next month for a fascinating insight into a bacterium of central importance to biotechnology and medicine.
World authority on bacterial genetics, Professor Keith Chater, is giving the Leeuwenhoek lecture – an annual lecture in the field of microbiology organised by the Royal Society - at the University of Aberdeen.
It is the first time the prestigious event - named after the Dutch scientist Antony van Leeuwenhoek who discovered bacteria – has taken place at the University.
Professor Colin McCaig, Head of the School of Medical Sciences, said "Professor Chater's research on antibiotic-producing microorganisms has made major contributions to the fields of both microbiology and biotechnology.
“His visit to the University of Aberdeen to deliver the Royal Society's annual Leeuwenhoek Lecture represents an exciting opportunity to hear an acknowledged world expert describe his research."
Bacteria are often thought of as our enemies – tiny cells or “germs” that multiply rapidly causing disease and food spoilage. But this view of bacteria is certainly not true of soil-living Streptomyces which gives freshly dug earth its characteristic smell.
Streptomyces are used to make many of the antiobiotics that we use to treat disease. Many species of Streptomyces are utilised by the pharmaceutical industry and cultured for this purpose.
Professor Chater’s lecture Streptomyces Inside Out: A New Perspective On The Bacteria That Provide Us With Antibiotics will present a new view of this group of bacteria, made possible by knowledge of the complete DNA sequence of the Streptomyces genome. Recent research is contributing to a developing view of how this fascinating group of microorganisms manufacture antibiotics and interact with their environment.
The lecture is free, open to the public and takes place on Wednesday, April 13 at 1.30pm.
The schools who will be represented at the lecture include: Aberdeen Grammar, Aboyne, Elgin, Hazlehead, Kemnay, Kincorth, Northfield, Old Machar, Portlethen, Turriff and Westhill Academies and Lossiemouth High School.
Scientists from the Universities of St Andrews, Strathclyde and Dundee as well as The Robert Gordon University are also attending.
Any members of the public wishing to attend should contact Morna Annandale on (01224) 552888 or email morna.annandale@abdn.ac.uk