Microbiology Australia Research Articles

Rapid diagnosis and the routine microbiology laboratory

This issue of Microbiology Australia discusses many of the exciting technological advances occurring in laboratories that give us quicker and better quality results. Many of these have been developed to meet new demands for quicker diagnosis of common infections, or relate to uncommon infections with dire individual or public health consequences.

Vertical Transmission, June 2005

Congratulations are in order. I am pleased to announce that Associate Professor Bill Rawlinson from the Department of Microbiology at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney is the recipient of the 2004 Fenner Prize. A/Prof Rawlinson is a medical graduate who went on to obtain his PhD from the University of Cambridge in 1993. He then returned to Australia to take up his position at the Prince of Wales Hospital, where he is currently Senior Medical Virologist within South East Health Laboratories. His research has been very productive and has involved antiviral agents, cytomegalovirus and hepatitis C virus. Bill has been very active in ASM in the role of a Division 2 Chair on NSAC and as the guest editor of the March 2005 edition of Microbiology Australia. He will present his Fenner Lecture entitled ?Virus transmission from mother to baby ? infections, disease and emerging paradigms? at the Canberra meeting in September.

Vertical Transmission, March 2005

This edition of Microbiology Australia contains the announcement of the programme for the 2005 Annual Scientific meeting in Canberra. It looks like an outstanding conference, with many terrific national and international speakers.

2004 Boxing Day Tsunami

This issue of Microbiology Australia focuses on the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and the experiences of those directly involved in the initial response and in the assessment, clinical care, laboratory support and public health responses. The contributions reflect the experiences of professionals from different disciplines who describe their role in this event. The varied perspectives provide a context for the laboratory contribution.

Vertical Transmission, May 2004

The March issue of Microbiology Australia contained important information about the various awards and prizes available to ASM members. The closing date for most of these is 1 June 2004. I would like to encourage members to either apply for or to nominate a colleague for one of these awards

From the new editor

There have been a number of changes in the team producing Microbiology Australia this year. Corinne Rann, who has edited the journal for the last 3 years, has resigned due to pressure of other commitments. Corinne has done an excellent job and the editorial board and ASM members thank her for her dedication and the excellent journal she has produced. I have now taken over from Corinne and look forward to continuing the tradition of previous editors in providing a top quality journal for ASM members.

Watch this space

This issue of Microbiology Australia will focus on the major steps of drug discovery and development. The continued discovery of therapeutic agents is an issue of concern for every society and, to a large extent, now transcends the parochialism of ?national benefit?.