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Introduction
by David Lloyd
To Professor David Hughes, without whose industry and devotion to "The Department", curiosity, insights and humanity, we would all be much the poorer.
Microbiology: Past, Present and Future - Volume 1 is a wide-ranging series of 66 essays by students and staff of the Department of Microbiology at University College Cardiff 1954 to 1994, a Festschrift for Professor DE Hughes, in his 80th year.
He was the first Professor in the Department, previously a Sub-department of Botany, where a degree course in General Bacteriology had been introduced by Professor RC McLean In 1946. It depicts the heady optimism in a place where anything seemed possible. The atmosphere was that of an exciting era, 'The white-hot (biotechnological) revolution' of the 1960's, and the rapid subsequent expansion of the UK University system.
As well as academic research, topics covered include the broad useful applications of an understanding of the subject in the world ruled by viruses, bacteria, yeasts, fungi and protozoa: a world that we humans merely inhabit. Microbiology, the studies of these microbes, touch all aspects of human, animal and plant existence, not only in their diseased states, but as essential for food and beverage industries and agricultural production, and in surprising ways in heavy industry, and in the mechanics of ships and aeroplanes.
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Volume 1 was published in 1994 and Volume 1 - Supplement was added as a loose leaf insert shortly afterwards.
Volume 2, published here for the first time, consists of papers received after the publication deadline.
Most of the authors of the chapters in these volumes have either remained in academia to spread the word, or progressed to become leading experts and practitioners in these diverse fields of science and engineering.
A useful book not only for enthusiasts of the microscopic, but for young adults seeking a choice of a rewarding career.
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It is our hope that 25 years on from Volume 1 of Microbiology: Past, Present and Future, the orginal authors will update us and that others from the various iterations of the original Microbiology Deprtement will be inspired to add their contributions to a new Volume 3 which we will publish here.
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