“趣味教学法”在微生物学课堂中的应用及探讨

微生物学属于生命科学的重要分支，是生物、食品科学、临床医学等大学专业一门重要的基础课。该课程综合性强、知识涉及面广，所以如何有效调动学生的学习兴趣将直接影响课堂效果。为达到良好的教学效果，教师可在微生物学教学过程中综合运用多种方式提高学生学习兴趣与学习质量。因此，我们采用“趣味教学法”进行教学设计，并针对连续3个不同年级的相同专业班级做出教学改革，通过学生期末闭卷成绩、过程考核（签到率、课堂参与度、注意力集中程度等）成绩与学生反馈评语对教学成果进行验证。结果表明，采用“趣味教学法”进行教学改革的班级学生期末闭卷成绩中不及格率低于未改革的班级，“良好”与“优秀”学生比例均高于未改革的班级，过程考核成绩远高于未改革的班级，说明“趣味教学法”教学改革有效调动了学生的学习兴趣。我们认为，在大学微生物学课堂上，教师可在教学设计中适当引入趣味教学内容并适时展开，有助于改善教学气氛，调动学生学习积极性与主动性，提高教学质量。     

Methods for rapid prototyping novel labware: using CAD and desktop 3D printing in the microbiology laboratory

Although the microbiology laboratory paradigm has increasingly changed from manual to automated procedures, and from functional to molecular methods, traditional culture methods remain vital. Using inexpensive desktop fused filament fabrication 3D printing, we designed, produced and tested rapid prototypes of customised labware for microbial culture namely frames to make dip slides, inoculation loops, multi-pin replicators, and multi-well culture plates for solid medium. These customised components were used to plate out samples onto solid media in various formats, and we illustrate how they can be suitable for many microbiological methods such as minimum inhibitory concentration tests, or for directly detecting pathogens from mastitis samples, illustrating the flexibility of rapid-prototyped culture consumable parts for streamlining microbiological methods. We describe the methodology needed for microbiologists to develop their own novel and unique tools, or to fabricate and customise existing consumables. A workflow is presented for designing and 3D printing labware and quickly producing easy-to-sterilise and re-useable plastic parts of great utility in the microbiology laboratory.     

Anaerobic bacteria from the digestive tract of North Atlantic fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus)

Abstract Samples were collected from the forestomach and colon of North Atlantic fin whales ( Balaenoptera physalus ) landed at the commercial whaling station at Hvalfjördur, Iceland during three whaling seasons. Techniques were used to enrich for and enumerate anaerobic bacteria, methanogens, and sulfate reducers. Anaerobic bacteria ranged from 10⁸ to 10¹⁰ per ml of digesta in the colon, and from 10⁵ to 10⁹ per ml of digesta in the forestomach. Methanogens and sulfate-reducing bacteria were found in the majority of forestomach and colon samples, with sulfate-reducing bacteria usually occuring at higher concentrations. Enteric bacteria, Vibrio , and Listonella spp. were found in the colon. Volatile fatty acids were detected in significant concentrations in the forestomach of many of the whales. These results support previous findings which suggest that a microbial fermentation occurs in the forestomach of baleen whales.     

The microbiology of soils under successive wheat crops in relation to take-all disease

Abstract Thirty-eight wheat fields in southern England were sampled in an attempt to correlate the amount of take-all disease with 35 microbiological and chemical measurements of soil. There was little correlation between field take-all and pot tests to determine soil infectivity. Myxogastrids were important components of the soil population, being up to half of the amoebal population, and most soils contained dictyostelids, reticulate amoebae and myxobacteria. Amoebae, ciliates, bacteria and saprophytic fungi were recorded for all soils. pH was a major determinant of soil populations, being clearly correlated with fungal abundance and with numbers of ciliates, dictyostelids and bacteria. Principal component analysis separated dictyostelids from the other soil amoebae and again showed the importance of pH in determining soil microbial populations. Take-all was negatively correlated with soil fertility and positively related to nematodes and myxobacteria, but this was probably an effect of take-all, and represented saprophytic growth on dead roots rather than being a cause. Reticulate amoebae and dictyostelids were both correlated with low levels of take-all. This study emphasises the large number of interrelated populations of soil microorganisms which could have an effect on the severity of take-all infections.     

Commercially available luminometers and imaging devices for low-light level measurements and kits and reagents utilizing bioluminescence or chemiluminescence: Survey update 2

This survey was completed in December 1993 and includes products not covered in the luminometer survey (Jan 1992: Stanley PE, J Biolumin Chemilumin 1992; 7:77–108 and 7:157–69), kits and reagent survey (Nov 1992: Stanley PE, J Biolumin Chemilumin 1993; 8:51–63), update 1 (June 1993, luminometers, kits and reagents, Stanley PE, J Biolumin Chemilumin 1993; 8:237–40). Technical details are provided together with company address and contact information.