What do you think are the most interesting questions in present day microbiology?

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,, So, naturalists observe, a flea Has smaller fleas that on him prey; And these have smaller still to bite 'em; And so proceed ad infinitum." (Jonathan Swift)
- What are the entities which may contribute to the governing of the surroundings such as viruses, virions, and/or prions. What is their mode of action?
Posted by: Moshe Harel | July 09, 2009 at 02:38 PM
Sorry if this is rather unpleasant and it has more to do with the human immune system, probably, than microbiology, but why don't people with bleeding hemorrhoids get terrible blood infections?
Seems like they'd go septic in no time.
Posted by: John | June 20, 2009 at 05:22 AM
1. How does a bacterial cell, upon approaching a prokaryotic cell, distinguish between friend or foe?
2. How does a bacterial cell, upon approaching a eukaryotic cell, distinguish between friend or foe?
3. Are the same mechanisms involved?
Posted by: Abe Eisenstark | June 19, 2009 at 10:39 AM
The whole concept of "sociomicrobiology" is one that fascinates me endlessly....
Also, I would love to see a post by an expert on this entire "viable but not culturable" state. Hmmmmm....
Posted by: Mark O. Martin | June 18, 2009 at 02:48 PM
How many organisms out there are truly "unculturable"? Or perhaps, are there any microorganisms that are truly "unculturable", not counting obligate parasites (if they truly exist:))?
Posted by: Paul Orwin | June 18, 2009 at 02:37 PM
How do glycopeptidases such as Rpf from Micrococcus luteus signal bacteria to get out of a "viable but not culturable" state?
Posted by: Sidd K | June 18, 2009 at 11:02 AM