Microbiology

Collection Development Policy Statement

Library's Collection Development Objectives

Support faculty and student research and the curriculum through the Department of Microbiology research programs in biotechnology, developmental biology, ecology, immunology, industrial microbiology, molecular biology, pathogenic microbiology, physiology, systematics, ultrastructure, veterinary microbiology, and virology leading to the M.S. or Ph.D. degree with a major in microbiology. The department also interacts with the Interdepartmental Program in Systematics, the Audubon Sugar Institute, the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, the developing Louisiana Biotechnology Institute, and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.

Curriculum Program Descriptions

The Department of Microbiology is part of the College of Basic Sciences. There are twelve faculty and all have Ph.D. degrees. Several departmental faculty members also serve as faculty members for the Interdepartmental Program in Genetics . Listed below are the number of degrees awarded to students in Microbiology for the past five years:

E (Empty String)      - (Info unavailable)

The following degree programs are offered which the Library collection supports:

New and Expanding Areas of Interest

• Use of recombinant DNA techniques to study the control of gene expression;
• Transcription regulation; promoter structure and function
• Mechanisms of mutagenesis in Deinococcus radiodurans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae
• Molecular biology; gene cloning and DNA sequencing used to investigate structure and function of E. coli K restriction systems and the McrB restriction system.
• Microorganisms in industrial processes
• Purification of Anaplasma marginale from bovine erythrocytes; development of diagnostic tests for animal diseases.
• Taxonomy, ecology, cytology, and physiology of Beggiatoa, Thiothrix, the Microcyclus-Spirosoma group, and mycobacteria
• Organization of the mitochondrial genome in fungi.

Areas of Specialization/Major Faculty Research Interests

• Molecular genetics; use of recombinant DNA techniques to study the control of gene expression; transcription regulation; promoter structure and function
• Molecular biology; mechanisms of mutagenesis; gene cloning and DNA sequencing
• Biochemistry; interaction of membrane proteins in photosynthetic membranes
• Industrial microbiology; microorganisms in industrial processes; immobilized cells and enzymes; polysaccharide production; genetics of Leuconostoc
• Molecular biology; genetic and biochemical regulation of bacterial cell division in E. coli; regulation of exopolysaccharide biosynthesis in Rhizobium spp.
• Veterinary microbiology.
• Molecular Microbiology; iron acquisition mechanisms of bacterial pathogens
• Physiology, ecology, and systematics; taxonomy, ecology, cytology, and physiology of Beggiatoa, Thiothrix, the Microcyclus-Spirosoma group, and mycobacteria
• Molecular biology; regulation of protein and RNA synthesis in fungal morphogenesis; function of the eukaryotic ribosome;
• Molecular Biology; mechanism of conjugation in the gram positive bacteria Strptomyces and Mycobacteria.
• Immunology and serology; serology and ecology of vibrios; development of a rapid fluorescent-antibody method for detecting Vibrio spp. in seafood and water; production and use of monoclonal antibodies to human pathogens in the development of diagnostic tests
• Ultrastructure; electron microscopy; location of nitrogenase in Azotobacter
• Prokaryotic systematics; taxonomy and ecology of Bacteria and Archae
• Molecular biology, multi-drug resistance in Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Treatment of Subject Depth

The goal of collection development activities in Microbiology is to support the undergraduate and graduate curriculum, sustained independent research of students and faculty in the College of Basic Sciences, and research projects with the Interdepartmental Program in Systematics, the Audubon Sugar Institute, the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, the developing Louisiana Biotechnology Institute, and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. The existing collection strength for Microbiology is at level 4 and current collecting intensity is at level 3 / 4 (See Attachment A -- Classed Analysis for detailed statement.)

CD ROMs, Electronic Books, Remotely Accessed Texts

LSU Libraries will purchase CD ROM works on a case by case basis when requested by faculty members or graduate students in need of enhanced capabilities afforded by CD ROMs. The LSU Libraries recognizes that electronic information, e-books, electronic paper, etc. merit attention. The purchase of access to remote data and texts, such as J-STOR and others, will be pursued when the ownership of remote products will benefit the greatest number of students, staff, and faculty at the best possible price. Purchase of remotely accessed texts must follow the policy and procedures set forth in Procedures for Acquiring and Processing Electronic Resources.

Specific Delimitations

Type

Collected Extensively: Specialized reference tools, such s indexes, abstracts, encyclopedias, handbooks, dictionaries, major secondary works (monographs); monographic serials.

Collected selectively: Proceedings, popular treatments, biographies, catalogs, undergraduate and upper division textbooks, laboratory manuals, workbooks, curriculum guides.

Excluded: Juvenile literature.

Physical Format

Collected extensively: Traditional print formats, I.e. monographs, serials; microforms, microfilm.

Collected selectively: CD-ROM, Audio-cassette packets, phonodiscs, charts, pamphlets, loose leaf services.

Imprint Date.

Collected extensively: Materials published during the last ten years.

Collected selectively: Materials published more than ten years ago.

Place of Publication

Collected extensively: United States, Great Britain, Netherlands, Canada, West Germany.

Collected Selectively: All others.

Languages

Collected extensively: English, and translations of foreign language works.

Collected selectively: All others.

Chronological Periods

Collected extensively: The contemporary science as defined by developments of the past ten years.

Collected selectively: All other periods more than ten years ago.

Geographical Focus

Collected extensively: United States, Canada, Great Britain, West Germany, Netherlands.

Collected selectively: All others.

Overlap with Other Subjects of Collections

Primary: Ten overlapping subject areas have been identified for which this statement assumes the primary collection development responsibility.

• Molecular genetics ---- Zoology/Physiology
• Recombinant DNA techniques -- Biochemistry
• Gene expression -- Biochemistry/Genetics
• Molecular biology -- Zoology/Physiology
• Industrial microbiology -- Biochemistry
• Pathogenic microorganisms -- Biochemistry/Veterinary Medicine
• Molecular Microbiology -- Zoology/Physiology
• Eukaryotic genetics -- Zoology/Physiology
• Genetics -- Zoology/Physiology
• Prokaryotic systematics -- Zoology/Physiology

Secondary. In four other areas only occasionally will selections be made by the Microbiology selector.

• Veterinary microbiology. -- Veterinary Medicine
• Immunotherapy -- Veterinary Medicine
• Immunology and serology -- Veterinary Medicine and medical selector
• Virology -- Veterinary Medicine

• Taxonomy and Ecology -- Zoology/Physiology
• Biochemistry -- (Biochemistry)
• Microscopy -- (Biology)
• Electron microscopy -- Chemistry/Biochemistry/Physics
• Public Health -- (Social Science)

Cooperative Programs

Louisiana State University relies on document delivery from Knight Ridder - UnCover to supply serial documents. LSU is part of the South Eastern Library Association (SELA) to foster inter-library lending and borrowing practices.

Other Considerations

The department also interacts with the Interdepartmental Program in Systematics, the Audubon Sugar Institute, the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, the developing Louisiana Biotechnology Institute, and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.

Classed Analysis

Prepared: January 15, 1998
Updated: March 15, 2003