Not ‘lost in translation’: navigating design, validation and delivery of novel diagnostic tests into clinical microbiology practice
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The study of microbiology means different things to each of us, given the extensive diversity within the microbial world, spanning bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoans, archaea and viruses.Yet, despite the diversity, there are unifying themes and principles that bring microbiologists together.Arguably, it is the depth and breadth of undergraduate microbiology training that unites us, irrespective of our chosen fields, as it enables effective communication between us, despite the complexities in our preferred sub-disciplines.I have spent most of my academic life working in Universities primarily engaged in research and teaching (microbiology and immunology).I have completed two international post-doctoral fellowships, supported by The Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, and by Immunex Corporation (a cutting-edge biotechnology company acquired by Amgen in 2002) located in Seattle, USA.I was one of many, as come through in each generation, with a multitude of ideas and an appetite for cutting-edge research -ambitious post-doctoral scientists keen to be a part of an exciting future that was yet to be realised.Hence, one question that continues to be positioned at the forefront of my professional activities is how can we turn this selfrenewing generational supply of innovative ideas and enthusiasm into microbiology practice?My current efforts are therefore more focused now on research translation, and all that is required to achieve the workplace presence of new innovative solutions.The answers lie, in part, I believe, in gaining bonafide foundations in Microbiology knowledge.I started my career by enrolling in a Biomedical science degree, with double majors in Microbiology and Biochemistry.I studied largely at night, earning my degree whilst working full-time as a Trainee Scientific Officer (Hospital Scientist) employed in the Microbiology Department at a private pathology laboratory.I graduated with a Bachelors degree from The University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with considerable academic microbiology knowledge; I had completed seven microbiology subjects, including introductory microbiology, microbial physiology and genetics, public health microbiology, and an exhaustive 9-credit point clinical bacteriology subject, together with subjects in specialty areas of mycology, parasitology and clinical virology.I also had attained real-world experience working in diagnostic clinical microbiology, with my hands (and nose) at the bench, in the 'Wees, Poos and Bugs' department, as it was colloquially known.Most of the University teachers were active microbiologistsacademic scientists and experienced clinical microbiologists -each with extensive relevant professional microbiology knowledge.I had gained skills in bacterial agar plate reading, biochemical identification of bacterial pathogens, microscopy (Gram's stains, microscopic examination of parasites, and polarised light microscopy for crystal identification) and antibiotic-sensitivity testing.Whilst much diagnostic microbiology work was organic and labour-intensive, clinical microbiology quickly embedded high through-put technologies, e.g.first through real-time monitoring of blood culture systems. 1 Knowledge of and excitement for emerging technologies has always been an invaluable attribute to the practicing microbiologist.The molecular detection of pathogens by PCR saw a revolution in clinical microbiology, as also in other pathology disciplines.Real-time (and quantitative) and multiplex PCR is now the standard-of-practice in diagnostic clinical microbiology laboratories.Molecular detection methods offer many advantages over conventional microbiology culture techniques, including that the nucleic acid extraction processes are extremely cost-effective, particularly when delivered en-mass (i.e.96-or 384-well formats), and/or via robotic platforms.This is especially the case when nucleic acid extractions are coupled to the PCR which itself only requires ≤2 h (compared to 1-2 days required to culture pathogenic microorganism, on 'mountains' of piled-high individual agar plates, and an additional 24 h for biochemical speciation and antibiotic sensitivity testing results). Molecular detection is an incredible sensitive technique, considerably exceedingFor full list of author affiliations and declarations see end of paper
Source: Microbiology Australia
DOI: 10.1071/ma25066
Author: Lisa M. Sedger
Institutions: UNSW Sydney, Westmead Institute for Medical Research
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Biochemistry
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4416434568