Microbiology Course Union - MCU

Microbiology Course Union crewneck sweaters have arrived! 📣✨

Buy yours through the Rubric website using the link in our bio: available in black and grey while supplies last, featuring the official MCU logo on the left-hand side. (Sizes from small to xx-large)

Send us a message via DM to arrange for pick up at the UBCO campus! 🥼🦠

Interested in becoming a MCU Executive next year?

This is a great opportunity to get involved on campus, meet more people, and support fellow microbiology students! 🧫🧪

Applications are open NOW and due March 23rd @ 11:59 PM PST. Follow the instructions on this post to apply! Good luck 😊

We will be hosting our Annual General Meeting again this year! This session will contain helpful information on becoming an executive, course union elections, events, budget reports, and more! All executive members will be there to answer any questions you may have. We encourage all MCU members to attend to have your say on the course union! 🔬

We will also be providing free pizza and stickers, as well as a draw to win a free MCU keychain! 🍕

📆: March 27th 2025
⏰: 7-8 PM
📍: FIP 124

Hello everyone, welcome back to microbe monday! This week we are featuring Nitorsomonas, an ammonia-oxidizing, Gram-Negative bacteria, which belongs to the class Betaproteobacteria. 🔬

This microbe is well-known for its important role in the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle, as its capable of converting ammonia (NH₃) into nitrite (NO₂⁻) through a process called nitrification. This is an essential step in maintaining soil and water quality, as excessive ammonia can be toxic to plants and aquatic life. 🐠🌿

Nitrosomonas is commonly found in soil, freshwater, and wastewater treatment plants, where it helps regulate nitrogen levels. This bacterium is commonly utilized in waste water treatments, because of their metabolic processes that help get rid of excess ammonia by converting it into nitrate. This ability makes Nitrosomonas a crucial player for the biological removal of nitrogen from wastewater. Beyond its environmental role, Nitrosomonas has even been studied for potential benefits to human skin! Some researchers suggest that ammonia-oxidizing bacteria could help reduce skin inflammation by converting sweat-derived ammonia into beneficial compounds.

Protecting beneficial bacteria like Nitrosomonas is important for ecosystem health. Avoiding excessive fertilizer use and reducing pollution can help maintain their populations and ensure efficient nitrogen cycling. ♻️

Sources:
https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Nitrosomonas
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31257694/

Welcome to the last microbe Monday before reading week! Today we will talk all about methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus better known as MRSA. 🔬

This is a very common gram-positive bacteria in hospital settings. Methicillin is a type of antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. MRSA is a bacteria that has developed a resistance to this antibiotic group, making it much harder to treat. This resistance is the result of a decades-long overuse of antibiotics causing Staphylococcus Aureus to mutate. Due to bacteria’s ability to create resistance, it is important to only use antibiotics when absolutely necessary. Viruses should never be treated with antibiotics for this reason. 💊🚫

The main symptom of MRSA is deep abscesses in various locations of the body. These can be incredibly painful. Additionally, a fever and cough can accompany this infection. If not treated properly the infection can become life-threatening as it travels through the bloodstream. Those most at risk for MRSA are immunocompromised people such are those hospitalized or in long-term care.

Since this bacteria transmits through direct contact or touching a contaminated item, the best ways to prevent the spread of infection are proper hygiene such as hand washing and keeping the wounds of those infected covered. As mentioned before, MRSA can be much more difficult to treat than other bacterial infections as it is resistant to multiple antibiotics. For this reason, the treatment usually has to be quite aggressive and targeted. If antibiotics are not sufficient on their own, surgery may be needed to drain the abscesses. Help prevent MRSA and other antibiotic resistance by only using antibiotics when appropriate! 🙌

Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mrsa/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375340
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11633-methicillin-resistant-staphylococcus-aureus-mrsa

Hi everyone, this week’s microbe monday will feature a popular guest known as Clostridium tetani.
This club shaped bacillus is the cause of the classic case of tetanus. They are commonly found in the environment, where there is soil, dust, rust or manure, and they cause infections by entering the body through open wounds and skin breaks caused by a sharp rusty or dirty object/metal. 🔬🩸

In an unfortunate situation where one is infected, the symptoms begin to show up on average just after a week. C. tetani symptoms are pretty deadly and painful, and consist of “lockjaw” or jaw muscle spasms, stiff muscles all over the body, difficulty swallowing, increase in blood pressure, fever, seizures and even serious respiratory or pulmonary issues. 1/10 cases in the US are lethal.

Luckily, C. tetani isn’t contagious, so it cannot spread from person to person, however the best way to stay protected is by staying updated with routinely tetanus vaccinations, especially for babies, children and pregnant women. There are 3 types of vaccines, DTaP for young children, Tdap for preteens and adults, and Td for adults as well. The D/d in these vaccines also indicate that they protect against diphtheria, and P/p in the abbreviations mean that they protect against pertussis or “whooping cough”. Tetanus isn’t as common due to the various precautions taken, however if one is infected and not vaccinated for it, they must be taken to the hospital immediately and treated with human tetanus immune globulin (TIG). 💉

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/tetanus/about/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/tetanus/causes/index.html

Welcome back to another Microbe Monday! This week, we are featuring Bacillus subtilis. These are gram-positive, spore-forming, facultative aerobic bacilli. Often referred to as “Hay bacillus” or “grass bacillus”, these microbes are typically found in soil and decomposing organic material, but are also often found in the intestinal flora of animals. They are utilized as a model organism in the biotechnology industry for gram-positive microbes and have a few neat characteristics. 🔬🧬

First, B. subtilis have a speedy doubling time! They are able to double in less than 20 minutes, especially when supplemented with optimal conditions like a temperature range between 30-35 degrees Celsius. Because of this, they can be used efficiently in biotechnology for purposes such as production of recombinant proteins and studying bacterial chromosomes. Next, these microbes have the ability to readily form biofilms and spores. This grants the organisms protection against harsh environments, such as extreme heat, which further allows them to be helpful tools for performing microbial research. Last, B. subtilis lacks any toxic metabolic byproducts! The only known toxin produced by this microbe, subtilisin, has very low toxic potential and may, at worst, cause an allergic reaction. 🤧

We co-exist peacefully with B. subtilis, as it is not known to cause disease in humans, animals, or plants. In fact, we are able to utilize this microbe for our benefit in fermented foods and beverages, skin care, and for delivery to agriculture to aid in their intestinal health. This microbe is one of the “good bacterias” for intestinal health and keeps your gut functioning! Send a thank you to these little guys next time you grab a bite to eat!

Sources:
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2859-12-3
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/bacillus-subtilis

Come find our table in the EME foyer at the 2025 Winter Club Expo this THURSDAY from 11-3pm! Ask our exec team questions about the MCU- what we do, upcoming events, and how you can get involved! 🔬✨

Keychains will be available for purchase AND we’ve got free stickers and snacks for everyone who stops by :)

Hi everyone! This week’s Microbe Monday is focused on Neisseria mucosa. Neisseria mucosa is a gram-negative diplococcus aerobic bacteria and it belongs to the genus Neisseria. As far as researchers know, it does not cause disease in healthy individuals (lucky for us!) 😃.

Neisseria is a part of our normal human microbiota but like most infectious microbes, once the immune system is left vulnerable, it can cause severe infection. Neisseria mucosa has been associated to cause bacterial meningitis, some UTIs (urinary tract infections), pneumonia, and other infections/diseases 😷.

The most severe infection that N. mucosa can cause is endocarditis - a condition where there is inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart vaves - but it is very rare ❤️. Common symptoms are painful finger nodules, fever, headache, and tremors.

N. mucosa can be transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets and discharge from nose and throat of infected individuals. So make sure to wash your hands and cough into your upper arm when sneezing and/or coughing to protect yourself and others 🧼🤧

Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neisseria_mucosa
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10237119/ #:~:text=Neisseria%20mucosa%20has%20been%20reported,%2C%20endocarditis%2C%20peritonitis%20and%20urethritis.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5527168/ #:~:text=the%20urinary%20tract.-,N.,virulence%20%5B7%2C%208%5D.

Welcome back to another term of Microbe Mondays! This week, we’re diving right into it to introduce Pyrococcus furiosus, dubbed as the ‘fireball microbe’, which belongs in the domain Archaea. Commonly found in deep-sea hydrothermal vents, this fascinating microbe breaks down carbohydrates and peptides while thriving in 100°C waters. 🔥☄️

Their circular, single-stranded DNA genome is one of the key features of P. furiosus, similar to other archaea. This simple yet highly efficient structure allows them to survive in its harsh, high-temperature environment. The archaeon also has a heat-resistant cell membrane and proteins that have adapted to function optimally in boiling temperatures. These specialized adaptations allow these microbes to maintain structural integrity in conditions that would destroy most other life forms.

Another interesting feature of P. furiosus is its glutamate dehydrogenase enzyme found in the cytoplasm and plays a crucial role in their metabolism. This enzyme is stabilized by ion-pair networks, allowing it to maintain its function even under extreme temperatures. These robust, heat-stable enzymes are widely used in biotechnology for processes like PCR and biofuel production. Also, P. furiosus utilizes tungsten in its biochemistry- something that is rarely seen in biology, enabling the microbe to withstand extreme temperatures and makes it a valuable resource for both industrial and scientific applications. 🧬

While Pyrococcus furiosus may be small, its impact is huge, with its enzymes revolutionizing industries and helping scientists understand how life might have evolved in ancient, extreme environments! 🔬🥼

Welcome back everyone! 🌟💚

Join us for our annual Kombucha Making Workshop with ! Learn the science behind fermentation, meet fellow microbio enthusiasts, and take home your very own kit! 🍹🍋

It is completely free to attend, but spots are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis so be sure to secure yours ASAP by using the link in our bio!

📅: January 23rd
🕘: 7-8 PM
📍: UBCO Campus, FIP 121