Microbiology in the K-16 Classroom: Where to find activities, images, podcasts, and other materials to create a satisfying microbiological experience. Mark Gallo, Ph.D Associate Professor of Biology Niagara University, NY 14109 mgallo@niagara.edu

Web addresses of interest This slide show contains a number of web sites with microbiology content. Please recognize that the web is a dynamic place, therefore it is difficult to know the longevity of each, but for now enjoy.

The good

http://www.activia.us.com/

The bad

The ugly

Or is this the ugly?

The disease that sent you to the hospital may not be the one that keeps you there.

The disease that sent you to the hospital may not be the one that keeps you there. Two million people each year acquire a secondary infection in the hospital, according to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The disease that sent you to the hospital may not be the one that keeps you there. Two million people each year acquire a secondary infection in the hospital, according to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And ironically, the patients who can least defend against it — intensive care patients — are at the highest risk.

http://www.washup.org

http://www.henrythehand.com/

http://www.coughsafe.com

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/WeeklyFluActivityMap.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/index.htm

Showing off pure cultures of Streptomyces

Biosafety Level 1 Biosafety Level 1 is suitable for work involving well-characterized agents not known to consistently cause disease in immunocompetent adult humans, and present minimal potential hazard to laboratory personnel and the environment. BSL-1 laboratories are not necessarily separated from the general traffic patterns in the building. Work is typically conducted on open bench tops using standard microbiological practices. Special containment equipment or facility design is not required, but may be used as determined by appropriate risk assessment. Laboratory personnel must have specific training in the procedures conducted in the laboratory and must be supervised by a scientist with training in microbiology or a related science.

Biosafety Level 2 Biosafety Level 2 builds upon BSL-1. BSL-2 is suitable for work involving agents that pose moderate hazards to personnel and the environment. It differs from BSL-1 in that 1) laboratory personnel have specific training in handling pathogenic agents and are supervised by scientists competent in handling infectious agents and associated procedures; 2) access to the laboratory is restricted when work is being conducted; and 3) all procedures in which infectious aerosols or splashes may be created are conducted in BSCs or other physical containment equipment.

Biosafety Level 3 Biosafety Level 3 is applicable to clinical, diagnostic, teaching, research, or production facilities where work is performed with indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease through inhalation route exposure. Laboratory personnel must receive specific training in handling pathogenic and potentially lethal agents, and must be supervised by scientists competent in handling infectious agents and associated procedures. All procedures involving the manipulation of infectious materials must be conducted within BSCs, other physical containment devices, or by personnel wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. A BSL-3 laboratory has special engineering and design features.

Biosafety Level 4 Biosafety Level 4 is required for work with dangerous and exotic agents that pose a high individual risk of life-threatening disease, aerosol transmission, or related agent with unknown risk of transmission. Agents with a close or identical antigenic relationship to agents requiring BSL-4 containment must be handled at this level until sufficient data are obtained either to confirm continued work at this level, or re-designate the level. Laboratory staff must have specific and thorough training in handling extremely hazardous infectious agents. Laboratory staff must understand the primary and secondary containment functions of standard and special practices, containment equipment, and laboratory design characteristics. All laboratory staff and supervisors must be competent in handling agents and procedures requiring BSL-4 containment. Access to the laboratory is controlled by the laboratory supervisor in accordance with institutional policies.

http://www.microbeworld.org

MicrobeWorld Click on the “Look and Listen” menu tab http://www.microbeworld.org/

Here is the source of the full length video series programs with associated lesson plans: http://www.microbeworld.org/look/VideoPodcast-LessonPlans.aspx

Microbes are cool Go to the MicrobeWorld Radio link under the “Look and Listen” tab to listen at their site. One can search using the “search archives” option Here’s a way to use something topical.

The iTunes way - http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/ Download the free software The iTunes way - http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/

Type in the search box “MicrobeWorld”.

Choose to download as many of the podcasts as are available, or subscribe to receive them free every time you visit.

You can download the podcasts onto your computer or an iPod You can download the podcasts onto your computer or an iPod. Let’s listen to one now.

http://www.bam.gov/

http://foodsafe.ucdavis.edu/music.html

Well you can tell by the way I choose my food I’m a worried guy, in a cautious mood Food safety scares, they’re everywhere And they’re telling me I should beware There’s pesticides, Mad Cow Disease Sure don’t put my mind at ease Biotech, and MSG Messin’ with my sanity Don’t want hepatitis or that gastroenteritis I’m just stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive Scrubbin’ off my veggies and I’m heatin’ all my burgers Up to one-eighty-five, one-eighty-five Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive Now when I was young I wouldn’t hesitate To chow right down, clean off my plate With oysters raw and burgers rare I enjoyed my food without a care But now I hear, it’s not OK I might not live another day Believin’ Oprah, Meryl Streep Soon I might be six feet deep

http://www.jcvi.org

http://www.virology.net

http://people.ku.edu/%7Ejbrown/bugs.html

http://www.foodsafetyfirst.org