Microbiology links

National Centre for Biotechnology Education

This is the UK's best site for biotechnology, and possible the best available worldwide in terms of the comprehensive coverage it gives to the subject. Although not restricted to microbiology, it does contain a wealth of information on the useful products of microbes (a major component of biotechnology).

There is also an excellent links section, including education initiatives and organisations, interest groups and equipment, materials and software suppliers. There is a section on courses offered by the centre, which although more suited for post-16 study, the courses described would no doubt provide useful activities for younger students.

A section on materials available to order from the centre includes equipment and other resources for practical work in both microbiology and biotechnology, including enzymes, fermenters, microbe cultures and models.

There is a useful, informative section on genetic modification (GM), which gives access to many of the official documents outlining the EU and UK legal framework for research and development work in this area. Perhaps most useful within this section are the pages relating to the concerns and benefits of GM technology. Those looking for information about specific genetically modified organisms (GMOs) will find pages on tomatoes, soya products, maize, yeast and cheese-making bacteria.

Perhaps the most useful section is 'Protocols', which contains detailed informatin about practical activities for school use, available as downloadable PDF files for use with students.

MicrobeWorld

This site is produced by the American Society for Microbiology, and has a lot of very useful resources for teaching about microorganisms and biotechnology. This is probably the best US site, although the UK-based NCBE site (see above) is better.

From the home page, select the link to 'Microbes.org' to follow the exploits of microbiologist Sam Sleuth. You will learn about microbes as you follow Sam in a number of 'Cases', such as 'What is a microbe?', which provides a good basic introduction, with useful images, to microorganism classification. Case 5 sets the challenge 'What are some of the microbe-made things which we use everyday?', which provides a basic introduction to biotechnology. Case 6 provides a useful comparison between bacteria and viruses.

Other sections in Sam's part of the site include 'Microbes in the News', which takes news stories (mostly US-based) and explains the science behind the stories, and 'Experiments', a lively series of practical activities. Beware though; the downloadable PDF files are very wordy, which seems a characteristic of many US-based practical guidelines.

The careers section is interesting, providing you with resources explaining why science is not boring, and that science careers are not just for the super-intelligent. This section explains what microbiologists do, and is considerably enhanced by a series of interviews with practising microbiologists.

Elsewhere in the site the best resources are in the Microbeworld.org section. Of particular interest to teachers is 'Microbeworld Activities' which has 17 separate downloadable PDF files containing practical investigation schedules - but again be warned, they are verbose and may best be used as a source of ideas, rather than to issue directly to students. Topics include 'Cabbage Today, Sauerkraut Soon', which looks at the role of bacteria in food production, and 'Yeast on the Rise', which looks at the role of yeast in breadmaking.

Microbial Zoo

This is an interesting site in the way it has organised its content. Rather than use the traditional categories for studying microbiology (classification, biotechnology, disease, natural cycling), it adopts a series of quirky headings that seem to make the content even more interesting.

It is a simply structured site, with the home page presenting users with a basic, though graphically interesting menu.The site is divided into a series of sections, all accessible from the main menu.

'Space Adventure' includes pages on 'Frequent Fliers' (airborne microbes); 'Microbes on Mars', which reviews the current controversy as to whether Martian meteorites contain evidence of past microbial life; and 'Missions with Microbes', which looks at how microbes may be needed on long, 'self-sustaining' space missions to help with mineral and water recycling.

'Dirtland' looks at the more 'down to Earth' microbes – in soil, on rocks, in plant roots – even in hot springs and snow fields. 'Water world' features the role of microbes on watery environments.

'Animal Pavilion' looks at how microbes and animals can live together, on our skin and in our digestive systems. In here is a section called 'Poo Corner ' which looks at the role of microbes in what is termed 'poop'. This section would be useful if you are studying sewage treatment.

'Snack Bar' looks at how microbes are useful to us in food production. There are basic descriptions of their role in the production of beer, bread, chocolate, natto (a Japanese food, made by the action of microbes on soybeans soaked in water), and yoghurt.

This is a good site, offering a different perspective. It is simply laid out, with a number of good images for downloading if needed.

4 Microbes: Invisible invaders, amazing allies

This site has been developed to go with a travelling exhibition, available only in the USA. However, the site is interesting in that it provides simple definitions, descriptions and 'amazing facts' about microbes.

Sections include 'What is a microbe', with a simple classification, along with brief descriptions of each microbial type, 'Microbe Dictionary', a useful glossary of microbe terms, and 'Did you know?', a list of useful and lesser known microbial facts.

The big picturebook of viruses

This site consists of a database of virus images, searchable by disease caused, viral name, viral families, and nucleic acid type. Although the site is designed for technicians and researchers, there are enough viral images for the production of a display, or a lesson looking at variety in viral structure.

Microscopy-UK

For those would like to know more about microscopy, this is a useful site. Here you will find all you need; from where to buy microscopes, who to contact for help and assistance, microscopy clubs and associations, to access to the microscopy community worldwide.