Microbiologists were heroes in identifying the Sars virus

Before Sars struck in 2003, few people paid much heed to microbiologists. While they toiled away over Petri dishes in obscurity, it was the frontline medics who claimed the glory.

But by the time the epidemic ended, microbiologists such as Professor Yuen Kwok-yung were heroes for helping to come up with a solution to rid the city of the disease. Never again would Hongkongers ignore the significance of laboratory work to examine microscopic organisms that can have a devastating effect.

"Microbiologists used to receive little respect," said Yuen, of the University of Hong Kong. "Nobody really cared about the department, not even the medical staff.

"When I first told my mother I was entering microbiology, she did not understand what it was, as it was not like a doctor who treats patients with heart, lung or liver problems."

But the status of the department has been transformed in the subsequent decade.