Dr. John Foster, professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, recently co-authored a new edition of the textbook titled “Microbiology: An Evolving Science.”“Microbiology is a constantly and rapidly evolving scientific field,” said Dr. Foster, “hence the book’s title.”
The new edition will include information on a wealth of cutting edge topics that include synthetic biology, which is the creation of new biological pathways by mixing genetic elements from various organisms; new techniques of DNA sequencing to identify bacteria or viruses present in a human’s micro-biome; fluorescent tagging of specific cell proteins that helps track the protein’s movements in bacteria or in human cells; as well as updates on emerging infectious agents like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a deadly respiratory disease first reported in 2012.
The new textbook is designed for undergraduate students majoring in biology. However, Dr. Foster and his team are writing an additional text for all health professions students.
“The new edition of our textbook offers undergraduate majors an up-to-date, concept- and research-driven analysis of microorganisms growing in the environment as well as in human hosts,” said Dr. Foster. Each section of the book also highlights a prominent research microbiologist and their projects and discoveries.
“Microbiology: An Evolving Science” includes online support with animations of key concepts, as well as an archive containing the material removed from earlier editions.
“Our goal is to inspire undergraduate science majors to embrace and contribute to the evolving science of the microbial world,” said Dr. Foster.
