FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2008
Media Contact: Michael Corby 904.632.3310

Darwin Bicentennial Series “Antibacterial Resistance: Are the Superbugs Winning?” at Florida Community College North Campus April 9

Lecture by Dr. Judith Johnson, University of Florida professor and pathogens expert

What:	“Antibacterial Resistance: Are the Superbugs Winning?” Lecture by Dr. Judith Johnson, University of Florida Professor of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine; and Director, Core Laboratories Emerging Pathogens Institute.
When:	April 9 at 7 p.m.
Where:	Florida Community College North Campus, 4501 Capper Road Bldg. E, Room E235, (second floor)
Cost:	Free and open to the public.

Details: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as MRSA. Deadly E. coli. Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (TB) traveling with infected passengers on airplanes. We are all in a race with these dangerous germs, trying to outpace their incredible ability to outwit our most powerful drugs. University of Florida’s Dr. Judith Johnson, an internationally recognized expert on new and emerging pathogens, will tell us just how serious the problem is, as she and other scientists work tirelessly to detect and treat such diseases.

Johnson’s lifelong professional interest has been in defeating cholera, still a major cause of epidemics throughout the developing world, killing up to half of those infected but untreated. She is an expert in the field and author of numerous journals and publications on microbial pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance, microbial physiology, molecular epidemiology and microbial ecology.

This event is part of the Darwin Day Celebration that continues at FCCJ North Campus through Feb. 12, 2009, the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth. It also honors Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose seminal work led to the discovery of the structure of DNA.

For more information or to RSVP please contact Dr. Paula Thompson at 904.766.6530 or North Campus Student Life and Leadership Development at 904.766.6786.