Microbes can be highly efficient, versatile and
sophisticated manufacturing tools, and have the potential to form the basis of
a vibrant economic sector. In order to
take full advantage of the opportunity microbial-based industry can offer,
though, educators need to rethink how future microbiologists are trained,
according to a report by the American Academy of Microbiology.
“Industrial microbiology is experiencing a Renaissance;
microorganisms make products ranging from the tightly regulated pharmaceuticals
industry to large-scale production of commodity chemicals and biofuels.
Educating and training the next generation of employees for these rapidly
expanding industries is critically important to their survival,” says Joy
Doran-Peterson of the University of Georgia who chaired the steering committee
that produced the report.