September 2022

Antibiotic resistance genes identified in TB

An analysis of more than 10,000 Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterial isolates from 23 countries has revealed new genes associated with resistance to 13 first- and second-line new and repurposed antibiotics.

New test may predict covid-19 immunity

Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers have developed an easy-to-use test to predict COVID-19 immunity.

Genetic method for identifying hundreds of disease agents

A new paper compares the pathogen-detecting ability of a next-generation sequencing (NGS) system — the Respiratory Pathogen Infectious Diseases/Antimicrobial Resistance Panel (RPIP) — with a previously studied NGS system and standard of care (SOC) diagnostic methods for samples obtained with bronchoalveolar lavage.

Mystery and medicine of native Americans

Stephen Mortlock casts an eye back over history and the healthcare practices of the Native Americans.

The neonatal blood film

As at any other time in life, examination of a blood film in a neonate can be very informative. It is important that films are interpreted in the context of the clinical details and the blood count. It is also necessary to consider the period of gestation of the neonate at birth, since what is normal differs in term and preterm babies, particularly for those born before 28 weeks’ gestation.

Assessing employability skills

Tahmina Hussain and Martyn Hicks interrogate the results of a study into gaps in the knowledge, skills and experience of new graduates entering the biomedical science workforce.

The big question: newly qualified biomedical scientists

This month we ask “What is the most vital skill or attribute for a newly qualified biomedical scientist to possess”

My lab: From flu to Covid to monkeypox

Panagiotis Pantelidis gives a guided tour of Infection and Immunity Sciences at North West London Pathology.

Here to help: on being a verifier

Tahmina Hussain writes about her experiences of being a verifier for the IBMS and why others should get involved.

In technology we trust

David Westrip reviews the recent British Society for Microbial Technology conference, which was based on the theme “the genomic revolution in microbiology”.

An electrophoresis case study

Madihah Abbas, Specialist Biochemistry Team Manager at Christie Pathology Partnership, looks at result interpretation, comparing gel and capillary zone electrophoresis.

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