4th Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Genomics Conference

Biography

Biography: John G Thomas

Abstract

“We live in a microbial world” was visibly unmasked by the Dutch Microscopist, Van Leeuwenhoek in 1674 and later correlated with diseases by Louise Pasteur in 1865 and Robert Koch’s postulates in 1884, emphasizing “one bug, one disease”, their laboratories providing signicant insight into viable, culture-able microbes. The Russian scientist of the time held a different focus, “survival of the fittest” supporting co-operation rather than competition; Peter Kropotkin (1865) described an anti- Darwin theory of “We” and the importance of community (pre-Bio-films), while Elie Metchnikoff unmasked the importance of selected gut microbes in maintaining health (Lactobacillus) and the concept that colonizing viable microbes were important in prolonging life (pre-Probiotics). But the explosion of non -culture techniques in 1988, emphasized by environmentalist, initially, catalyzed a redefinition of our microbial co-ecosystem “Dual Citizenship”, the incredible diversity of non cultureable microbes while highlighting their genetic strength, the disruption due to antibiotics and the emerging Theme of “One Health : Animals, Humans, and the Globe . In all three phases, the impact upon diagnostic microbiology has been relentless, demanding new approaches and strategies. Diagnostic laboratories are emerging from Dr Pasteur with an “anti-Koch” theme, implementing new rapid technologies employing MALDT-TOF, BIO-FIRE and other molecular methods incorporating the laboratory focus of “Culture-OMICs”, reporting both viable and non-viable detection and simultaneous evaluation of a microbiota signature and patient health status. Here, we will compare and contrast with Dr Pasteur the explosion in diagnostic methods, describe the future laboratory and gather his insight focusing on two bio-film associated diseases: VAP and chronic wounds.