Microbiology Workshop, Columbus, Ohio, February 2005
The workshop, sponsored by the USGS Office of Water Quality, National Water-Quality Assessment Program, and the Ohio Water Science Center included presentations and discussions regarding public health microbiology activities related to research, source tracking, and monitoring. Submitted papers and invited speakers addressed the following areas:
The short course on February 15 was attended by 24 students and 7 observers. The students worked in the laboratory and learned firsthand how to perform membrane filtration, process sediment samples for E. coli using the Colilert Quantitray, and read and interpret their results. Demonstrations and lectures were given on bacterial indicators, coliphage, Clostridium, and molecular methods for indicators and pathogens.
The General Session provided information on new analytical methods and risk assessment and included talks on some new topics--homeland security as it relates to microbiology, cyanotoxins, and microbiological source tracking. Updates on the USEPA's BEACH program were discussed. Finally, past and future roles of the USGS in the study of public health microbiology were presented.
The poster session on February 16 was sponsored by Scientific Methods Inc. and Idexx Laboratories, Inc. It was held at the USGS Ohio Water Science Center Offices.
All indications were that the conference was a success and that it accomplished our goals--to provide a forum for technical exchange and program development opportunities in public health microbiology. We hope that everyone attending was able to make new contacts, gather information, and become more knowledgeable in the research topics presented.
Workshop Information: