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New Bacteria Keep Germ Chasers Busy
Researcher Presents Findings on Unidentified Species
Written By Keith Henry
Bacteria can morph to render antibiotics powerless
Contact - cleogrande@utica.edu
Utica, NY (03/23/2009) - They are an insidious entity. Even over the course of one infection, bacteria can change themselves to survive, morphing enough to render antibiotics powerless. So it’s no surprise that over 600 new species of bacteria are identified each year. Most new species of bacteria can be identified by classic methodologies and more sophisticated molecular DNA sequencing. But nearly five percent of new bacteria species defy classification and it is on these elusive new strains that researchers focus their attentions.William Wolfgang, research scientist with the New York State Department of Health’s Division of Infectious Disease, is at the forefront of the DNA detective work. He will present a lecture about his and other scientists’ efforts in the hunt for new bacteria species, highlighting recent advancements in technology and forensic methods that have led researchers in new directions in their quest to accurately characterize the new species they encounter.
The talk is free and open to the public and will be held on Monday, March 23 in Macfarlane Auditorium, DePerno Hall at 4 p.m. The event is part of the Asa Gray Biological Society’s lecture series.
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