by Darla Brown

E-coli outbreak at county fair sickens children. Flesh-eating bacteria kills swimmer in the Gulf of Mexico. More deaths attributed to mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. Lethal strain of bird flu found in pigs.

Every day there is a new frightening headline warning of the lethal threat of microorganisms – the bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and fungi that cause infectious disease.

“There are more microorganisms in terms of numbers of species than any other systems on the planet,” says Samuel Kaplan, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. “And certainly the biggest killers on a worldwide basis are microorganisms.”

Microorganisms are not a new threat -- throughout history, infectious diseases have significantly diminished populations. With the advent of penicillin and other antibiotics, man began to wage war on this microscopic army, and life expectancy rates rose as a result. But over the last 20 years, microorganisms have regrouped and are fighting back supercharged.

“Through the overuse of antibiotics and the development of microbial resistance because of the vast numbers of microorganisms and their ability to exchange genetic information, the antibiotic arsenal available to us has been gradually shrinking,” Dr. Kaplan says. “Over the last 20 years, we have not been discovering antibiotics at a rate fast enough to keep up with antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.”

Not only are the microorganisms morphing themselves into antibiotic-resistant strains, they also are jumping from species to species, and diseases believed to be eradicated, such as tuberculosis and syphilis, are making a comeback.

A new program with an emphasis on studying the mechanisms of microorganisms and their impact on infectious disease is planned as a research focus for the new Research Replacement Facility. The molecular biology of human pathogens program builds upon work already under way by the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and the Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases.

The program will concentrate on basic research on microbial pathogens and translational research that will provide vaccine development, diagnostic tests, and creating antimicrobials.

“Infection problems are getting more and more serious, and the answer lies in research,” Dr. Kaplan says. “Modern medicine is even providing more pathways to infection through implantable devices and artificial limbs, which pose a great risk for microbial biofilm formation and disease agents.”

The specter of bioterrorism also makes this research a most urgent need.

“Research will allow us to develop tailor-made regimens to counter specific microbial systems,” Dr. Kaplan explains. “We now have the complete DNA sequence for many of the 1,500 known human pathogens and within 10 years or so we will have this information for all of the infectious agents.”

Armed with these genetic blueprints, researchers will be able to understand the infectious disease processes to create measures for intervention, such as new antimicrobials and vaccines.

In order to build upon the current research at the Medical School, plans include adding a virology program to study all aspects of viral diseases, such as SARS, West Nile virus, and the bird flu. A protozoan/fungal research team also is planned.

“To be located in a modern research facility is important because it will have air handling and containment capabilities necessary for studying these superbugs, plus equipment for use in modern research,” Dr. Kaplan says. “Our program will be distinct since it will concentrate on the bacterial and fungal aspects of infectious disease, and we will be strong force in this battle against microorganisms.”