Microbe Talk

Episode 182: Sepsis, superbugs, and antibiotic stewardship

Microbiology Society — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

"I often like to say that we're not the antibiotic police, but we're the antibiotic sommelier. So, you have a bug and we have the drug, and we try to find the best fit."

In this month's Microbe Talk, Charlotte Holtum (Head of Engagement & Storytelling) welcomes guests Dr Alicia Demirjian (UK Health Security Agency and Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust) and Dr Yoann Personne (bioMérieux), to explore an underdiscussed corner of the antimicrobial resistance conversation: its management with sepsis. They discuss what underpins the real-world relationship of AMR and sepsis, improving antibiotic stewardship in hospitals, and addressing these issues sooner rather than later.

If you would like to read the ESPAUR report 2024 mentioned in this episode, please find it here.

Episode 181: Sexual health and the vaginal microbiome

Microbiology Society — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

What does a healthy vaginal microbiome look like? Are store-bought vaginal probiotics backed by science? How do these microbes interact with sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

🦠Research is uncovering more and more about the relationship between the vaginal microbiome and sexual health. That's why this month, I spoke with Prof Wilhelmina Huston, a microbiologist specialising in STIs at the University of Melbourne, Australia, to discuss what science knows so far.

🎧Listen in wherever you get your podcasts

🔗If you’d like to read the review in Microbial Genomics you can do so by following this link https://microb.io/46tUCxa
A full, auto generated, transcript of the podcast is available on our website here https://microb.io/3M7M7B7

Episode 180: Society Staff Reflect on 2025

Microbiology Society — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, we meet some members of staff at the Microbiology Society to reflect on 2025 and look at ways to get involved in 2026.

Episode 179: Hidden Companions: how parasites are adapting to a changing world

Microbiology Society — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The relationship between humans and parasites is changing along with the climate crisis, globalisation, and innovations in science. In this month's Microbe Talk, we chat to expert Kinga Kowalewska-Grochowska at the University of Alberta, Canada, about the evolutions in how we look at parasites, where they are found, and what the future holds for diagnosing and treating these illnesses. This follows Kowalewska-Grochowska's latest review of the same topic published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology.

If you’d like to read the paper, you can do so by following this link.

Stay tuned to the Microbiology Society socials to be the first to hear about exciting new research in the world of microbiology.

You can download a full, auto generated transcript of the podcast here.

Episode 178: The Kocurious case of Noodlococcus: From discovery to community

Microbiology Society — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

In 2019, a mysterious shape appeared on a petri dish in a Birmingham lab. Its surprising appearance, similar to noodles, intrigued researchers to find out more about it. They consulted other scientists online at the time, which sparked an idea to start an online club dedicated to sharing laboratory contaminants.

Now, the team finally publish their research characterising this contaminant as a new species of bacteria, Kocuria rhizophila, in our journal Microbial Genomics. Researchers Rob Moran and Greg McCallum join Communications and Media Officer Lilly Tozer to talk about their journey from discovery to publish.

If you’d like to read the paper, you can do so by following this link: microb.io/47L8aoY

Stay tuned to the Microbiology Society socials to be the first to hear about exciting new research in the world of microbiology.

You can download a full, auto generated transcript of the podcast here: microb.io/3J6DUf3

Episode 177: Chemical Conversations: Exploring the gut:brain link in bipolar treatments

Microbiology Society — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 13:31:29 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Clare talks to An Bui from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta about their paper published in Microbiology, the first systematic review of the potential effects of psychotropics (the drugs used to treat bipolar disorder) on the gut microbiome of treated and untreated bipolar individuals.

A full transcript of this episode is available on our website.

Episode 176: From workshop to publication: discussing microbiome safety with Lindsay Hall and Aline Metris

Microbiology Society — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 10:10:33 +0000

In January 2024, Aline Metris and Lindsay Hall hosted an academic-industry workshop at the Microbiology Society offices to discuss the potential long-term implications of microbiome perturbations.

Since then, they’ve published a comprehensive summary of the findings from the workshop in Microbial Genomics. We invited them back to the Microbiology Society offices to chat with Clare about their experiences hosting the workshop and share their insights from the paper.

If you’d like to read the review in Microbial Genomics you can do so by following this link.

Stay tuned to the Microbiology Society socials to be the first to hear about Lindsay and Aline’s further work and our other projects on the microbiome.

You can also read a full auto generated transcript of the podcast on our website here.

Episode 175: Dr Beth Mills and Akpan Friday on international collaboration and mentorship

Microbiology Society — Wed, 28 May 2025 15:33:01 +0000

In this episode, Adam discovers how two microbiologists from opposite sides of the world formed a collaboration and mentorship that has greatly benefited them both.

When in-person classes were suspended during the 2020 lockdown, Akpan Friday, a student from Nigeria, reached out on social media seeking support to continue his and his classmates’ learning. Dr Beth Mills from the University of Edinburgh responded to the call and began delivering free online lectures to the students.

Although they have yet to meet in person, their relationship has developed into a mentor–mentee partnership, and both were delighted to share their story.

Music: Instant Crush – Corbyn Kites
You can download a full transcript of the podcast by visiting our website here.

Episode 174: Our miniseries for Annual Conference 2025: Andrew Spicer

Microbiology Society — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 17:00:00 +0000

We're in Liverpool this week, hosting our annual conference and meeting our members, collaborators and authors.

We know that there will be a lot of exciting conversations, interesting presentations and vital networking opportunities happening all over the and wanted to make sure you could keep the excitement going even after the events of the day have finished.

So, across the four days of annual conference we'll be bringing you mini episodes of Microbe Talk, each featuring a presenter from the programme.

We’re closing up with a chat with Andrew Spicer who is looking at the algae Chlorella in a new light. His invited talk ‘Reimagining Chlorella as a food and beverage ingredient suited for everyday foods’ was on Tuesday afternoon at the Annual Conference in the Microbes to meals session.

Episode 173: Our miniseries for Annual Conference 2025: Guilherme Neumann

Microbiology Society — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 17:00:00 +0000

We're in Liverpool this week, hosting our annual conference and meeting our members, collaborators and authors.

So, across the four days of annual conference we'll be bringing you mini episodes of Microbe Talk, each featuring a presenter from the programme.

For the penultimate episode of our miniseries for annual conference Clare spoke to Guilherme Borba Neuman about his research titled ‘Characterizing Retroviral Integrations and Their Impact on Koala Populations: Implications for Health and Conservation’ which he presented earlier today at our Annual Conference in Liverpool.

Listen to find out how Guilherme is able to see the results of his research come to fruition in captive Koala populations.

Episode 172: Our miniseries for Annual Conference 2025: Elizabeth O'Gorman

Microbiology Society — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:05:16 +0000

We're in Liverpool this week, hosting our annual conference and meeting our members, collaborators and authors.

We know that there will be a lot of exciting conversations, interesting presentations and vital networking opportunities happening all over the and wanted to make sure you could keep the excitement going even after the events of the day have finished.

So, across the four days of annual conference we'll be bringing you mini episodes of Microbe Talk, each featuring a presenter from the programme.

For the second episode of our miniseries for Annual Conference Clare spoke to Elizabeth O’Gorman about her research titled ‘Adaptation of Campylobacter to Sodium Chloride Alters Phenotypes Associated with Human Disease’ which she will be presenting at the infection forum tomorrow afternoon.

Elizabeth and Clare chat about food safety and how consumer trends might be altering the of bacteria on our meat.

Episode 171: Our miniseries for Annual Conference 2025: Phoebe Crossley

Microbiology Society — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 15:57:38 +0000

We're in Liverpool this week, hosting our annual conference and meeting our members, collaborators and authors.

So, across the four days of annual conference we'll be bringing you mini episodes of Microbe Talk, each featuring a presenter from the programme.

For the first of our mini-series, Clare spoke to Phoebe Crossley who will be presenting her research 'Multi-omic analysis of the vaginal microenvironment reveals mechanisms of vulvovaginal and sexual health symptoms in women with benign gynaecological conditions' at the Urogenital Microbes in Health and Disease session tomorrow afternoon.

Episode 170: Microbiome and thermal tolerance: a new frontier in climate resilience?

Microbiology Society — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 17:12:46 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk Clare speaks to Judy Li, author on the latest Microbial Primer: Microbiome and thermal tolerance – a new frontier in climate resilience? Clare and Judy chat about the paper, the relatively new field of study and the possible mechanisms of microbes buffering organisms against temperature changes.

If you'd like to Judy's paper, published in Microbiology you can do so here. You can also download a full transcript of the podcast on our website.

Music: Documentary_Tidal by Comma-Media via Pixabay.

Episode 169: Coccus Pocus A microbiology inspired scary story competition

Microbiology Society — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 10:37:49 +0000

In this episode, Adam talks to Dr Georgios Efthimiou from the University of Hull. Georgios has created a nationwide ‘spooky’ short story competition called Coccus Pocus. This project links outreach and Halloween with microbiology. This creative competition has had a clear impact on 12 – 18-year-olds who find the competition a good way to discover an interest in microbiology and have had a lot of fun writing the stories. Join Adam as he learns more about this Microbiology Society-funded project (and you may hear from a few society staff members reading some of this year's winners along the way).

Episode 168: Exploring the science of wellness, ageing and death with John Tregoning

Microbiology Society — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 11:01:36 +0000

For the first episode of Microbe Talk in 2025, we’re bringing you something fascinating and a bit different— non-communicable diseases. In this special episode, Clare chats with Professor John Tregoning, a Professor in Vaccine Immunology, about his new book, 'Live Forever? A Curious Scientist’s Guide to Wellness, Ageing and Death'. Clare and John chat about why he's writing about non-communicable diseases, the processes behind his book and any public engagement advice he'd give to our community.

Find out where you can buy a copy of Johns book by clicking here. You can also download a transcript of the podcast from our website here.

Johns other work can be found here.

Music by Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Episode 167: Antimalarial drug resistance: current challenges and future solutions

Microbiology Society — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 12:45:40 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk Clare spoke to Adam Aspinall who's Senior Director in the Access and Product Management team at Medicines for Malaria Venture. They discuss Malaria, antimalarial drug resistance and the work that Medicines for Malaria Venture is doing to support new drug discovery.

If you'd like to find out more about the Microbiology Society's Knocking Out AMR project, you can do so here.

If you'd like to find out more about the work that Medicines for Malaria do, take a look at their resources here:

MMV website: http://mmv.org

Severe Malaria Observatory : severemalaria.org

Music: Blue Dot Sessions - Blue Latex

Episode 166: World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week: pediatric AMR

Microbiology Society — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

For this episode of Microbe Talk Clare is joined by Dr Sanjay Patel, a paediatric infectious disease and immunology consultant at Southampton Children's Hospital and the National Clinical Advisor for Paediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship at NHS England. Clare and Sanjay discuss paediatric AMR, why it's often overlooked and how Sanjay and his colleagues from clinical, research and policy backgrounds are taking action.

If you'd like to learn more about research into antimicrobial resistance in neonates, take a look at this paper in Journal of Medical Microbiology.

You can find details of how to get involved with Knocking Out AMR here.

The resources and initiatives Sanjay mentioned are below:

Music: Inspiring Science Technology - Comma Media from Pixabay

Episode 165: Black History Month: Amaka Awayne

Microbiology Society — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 15:06:10 +0000

The month of October is #BlackHistoryMonth and this year we caught up with Society Champion, Dr Amaka Awayne, on our latest episode of the Microbe Talk podcast. Dr Amaka discusses her insightful experiences as a Black person working in science, as well as how she is contributing to Black History Month this year.

Find out how to get more involved with Society activities via our Get Involved webpage: microb.io/4f18YYd

Music by The_Mountain from Pixabay

Episode 164: Looking up at space microbiology

Microbiology Society — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 11:56:52 +0000

In aid of space week Clare is looking up into the sky with Dr Katherine Baxter about the exciting field of space microbiology. They chat about how research in space could help with problems back on earth, how microbes behave in space and how they might be key to survival in future space travel.

The details of the ways to get involved are below. If you're in need of even more space content, keep your eye out for the next edition of Microbiology Today.

The NASA Open Science Data Repository: awg.osdr.space/
The SOLSTICE citizen science project: www.nasa.gov/osdr-working-groups-citizen-science/.

Music by drmseq from Pixabay

Episode 163: Investigating invisible culprits with Dr Tim Inglis

Microbiology Society — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 16:22:15 +0000

Clare is back with another episode of Microbe Talk and this time she’s investigating the topic of Microbial Forensics with Dr Tim Inglis from the University of Western Australia. Tim is the Editor-in-Chief of the Society’s Journal of Medical Microbiology where he published his review on the topic: ‘A systematic approach to microbial forensics’.

You can read a full transcript of this podcast on our website.

Music by Denys Kyshcuk from Pixabay.

Episode 162: Roots of resistance: exploring AMR in ancient mouths

Microbiology Society — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 10:22:44 +0000

For this episode of Microbe Talk Clare was joined by the wonderful Gwyn Dahlquist-Axe and Francesca Standeven, archaeological scientists who study AMR and ancient human oral microbiomes. They're on the podcast to discuss their review into diet, disease and antibiotic resistance from ancient human oral microbiomes published in Microbial Genomics.

You can read their review 'Inferring diet, disease and antibiotic resistance from ancient human oral microbiomes' here.

If you'd like to keep up with Francesca and Gwyn's research their Twitter (X) handles are @GDahlquistAxe and @fstandeven193

You can also read a full transcript of the podcast on our website.

Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Episode 161: Knocking Out AMR: fixing the broken innovation pipeline

Microbiology Society — Fri, 17 May 2024 11:33:42 +0000

Yesterday, we released our vision statement for Knocking Out Antimicrobial Resistance, the Society's new cross-disciplinary project. It outlined the key issues faced by the AMR community: the lack of understanding of the urgency of the crisis, a fragmented AMR landscape and a broken innovation pipeline

So for this special Knocking Out AMR episode of Microbe Talk Clare spoke to Professor Paul Hoskisson to pick his brain on his latest venture: a one million pound project to use food by-products make antimicrobial production more cost effective and sustainable.

The Microbiology Society's Knocking Out AMR Vision statement can be found on our website here.

Paul's Socials:
Bluesky @paulhoskisson.bsky.social
Twitter @PaulHoskisson
Instagram @paulhoskisson

Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

You can read a full transcript of this podcast on our website.

Episode 160: Women’s History Month: a conversation with Dr Linda Oyama

Microbiology Society — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:03:35 +0000

Last month was Women’s History Month, taking place annually throughout the month of March. It aims to highlight and reflect on the many, but often over-looked, achievements made by women throughout history – which have paved the way for the women of today. In this episode, to mark the month, we caught up with Society Champion and microbiologist, Dr Linda Oyama. Linda discusses her insights as a woman in science, by diving into some of her experiences, as well as her passion for outreach with young girls.

To keep up with Linda, you can find her on X @LindaOyama.

Episode 159: Behind the lecture with Dr Claas Kirchhelle

Microbiology Society — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Dr Claas Kirchhelle from University College Dublin will be giving the Hot Topic Lecture: "Faecal Flows – a very short history of microbiology, sewers, and Britain's rivers (ca.1850-2023)" at this years Annual Conference. Clare spoke to Claas to find out how he's feeling ahead of his lecture and to pick his brain about his intriguing research area.

If you're at Annual Conference this year, you can catch Claas' Hot topic Lecture at 8:45 on Thursday 11 April. Alternatively, Claas' lecture will be available online after Annual Conference.

Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

You can download a full transcript of the podcast here.

Episode 158: Navigating Academia: a conversation with Professor Iruka Okeke and Professor Judith Armitage

Microbiology Society — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 18:02:06 +0000

In aid of The International Day of Women and Girls in Science Clare spoke to Professor Iruka Okeke and Professor Judith Armitage to discuss women in science. In this episode they discuss the importance of mentors, promotions in academia and the inequalities of maternity leave and Clare gains valuable insights from Judy and Iruka's impressive careers.

To keep up with Judy and Iruka, you can find them on X @Armitage_Judy and @iruka_okeke.

Follow this link to read Judy's Microbial Primer.

Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay.

Episode 157: Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance: research and surveillance

Microbiology Society — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 17:51:27 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk Clare is joined by Rick Mumford, Deputy Chief Scientific Advisor & Deputy Director of Science Evidence & Research at the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA). They chat about research and surveillance of foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR), delivering on the 5-year National Action Plan and look to the future of foodborne AMR.

If you’d like to read Rick’s paper, ‘Foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research and surveillance in the UK: priorities identified through the Food Standards Agency’s AMR programme review (2023)’ published in Journal of Medical Microbiology, the Society’s interdisciplinary journal for medical, veterinary and dental microbiology, you can do so here.

If you’d like to keep up to date with the FSA’s science news, publications and research partnership opportunities you can sign up to their newsletter here.

If you’d like to get involved in tackling AMR you can find out more information on our Knocking out AMR project and register your interest on our website.

Music by Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

A full transcript is available on our website.

Episode 156: Microbe Talk: the best of 2023

Microbiology Society — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

It’s the final episode of 2023 so Clare, Katie and Adam got together to discuss their favourite Microbe Talk moments of 2023 and what they’re most looking forward to in 2024.

If you want to listen back to any of the podcast episodes mentioned in the podcast you can find these below:

The bacteriophage: is the enemy of our enemy a friend?

Dr John Munnoch discusses dyslexia

CRISPR - Cas9 Takes on AMR Plasmids

Conversations on Collaboration: Elaine Cloutman-Green on working across microbiology's disciplines

Annual Conference 2023: Demystifying Science Policy

Getting to grips with industry careers

Conversations on Collaboration: Hilary Lappin-Scott on cultivating international partnerships

Conversations on Collaboration: Sir Paul Nurse on collaborative working and Horizon Europe

Bactobio collaboration

Get involved – Annual Conference video

If you’re interested in getting involved in our Knocking out AMR project you can find out more here.

You can find a full transcript of the podcast on our website.

Music by Yurii Kohut from Pixabay

Episode 155: Knocking Out AMR: Dr Tina Joshi and Dr Catrin Moore on the Society’s new project

Microbiology Society — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 09:12:01 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Policy and Engagement Officer Katie chats to Dr Tina Joshi and Dr Catrin Moore, the Microbiology Society members leading on the Society’s brand new antimicrobial resistance (AMR) project, Knocking Out AMR. In this episode, Katie, Tina and Catrin talk about what the new project is, how it came to be, and how people can get involved.

If you are interested in opportunities for organisations to collaborate with the Microbiology Society, please email knockingoutamr@microbiologysociety.org or to register your individual interest please visit the Knocking out AMR webpage. To find out about the latest updates, follow us on Twitter @MicrobioSoc using the hashtag #KnockingOutAMR.

You can follow Dr Catrin Moore on Twitter at @catmoore_1 and Dr Tina Joshi at @tinaljoshi

Music: ‘Relaxed Vlog (Night Street)’ by Ashot Danielyan from Pixabay

You can read the full podcast transcript here.

Episode 154: Knocking Out AMR: a conversation with Professor Chloe James

Microbiology Society — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:04:05 +0000

If you are interested in opportunities for organisations to collaborate with the Microbiology Society, please email knockingoutamr@microbiologysociety.org or to register your individual interest please visit the Knocking out AMR webpage. To find out about the latest updates, follow us on Twitter @MicrobioSoc using the hashtag #KnockingOutAMR. You can also read the latest edition of Microbiology Today here.

To read Chloe's work published in Microbiology, visit our journals site.

You can keep up to date with Chloe's public engagement work visit MICROBIhOME for general microbiology and AMR content and here for phage content.

Chloe's work is funded by Knowledge for Change and BBSRC.

Music: 'Origin' by Comma-Media via Pixabay. You can download a full transcript of the podcast on our website.

Episode 153: Conversations on Collaboration: Sir Paul Nurse on collaborative working and Horizon Europe

Microbiology Society — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 09:08:14 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, our Policy and Engagement Officer Katie chats to Sir Paul Nurse, Director of the Francis Crick Institute and former President of the Royal Society. He was awarded the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of protein molecules that control the division of cells in the cell cycle and has since received over 70 honorary degrees. In this episode, Katie and Paul talk about the importance of collaboration and co-working in science, and discuss the UK’s recent re-association with Horizon Europe, the EU funding programme for research and innovation.

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.

You can read the official Microbiology Society response to the UK’s re-association with Horizon Europe, here.

Music: Glossy by Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Episode 152: Dr John Munnoch discusses dyslexia

Microbiology Society — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Each year, Dyslexia Awareness Week gives us a chance to take some time to reflect and learn about the everyday challenges people can face when they have dyslexia. In this episode, Adam, (who has dyslexia himself) speaks to Dr John Munnoch, who was diagnosed with dyslexia around the age of 8, to discuss how he has been challenged within the field of microbiology. John also explains how he has found his own way of learning, and how he has benefitted from the support of his family, friends and colleagues throughout his career.

Music: Fairy Meeting - Emily A. Sprague

Episode 151: Conversations on Collaboration: Hilary Lappin-Scott on cultivating international partnerships

Microbiology Society — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 15:42:31 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Policy and Engagement Officer Katie chats to Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott OBE, President of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) about her career so far, the importance of international collaboration in science and our recent re-association with Horizon Europe.

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.

Music: Minimal Inspiring Ambient by ComaStudio from Pixabay

Episode 150: Conversations on Collaboration: Elaine Cloutman-Green on working across microbiology's disciplines

Microbiology Society — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 11:57:22 +0000

This year the Microbiology Society is hosting FIS (the Federation of Infection Societies (FIS) conference) in partnership with HIS and BIA. FIS is all about fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, so in this episode of Microbe Talk Clare speaks to Professor Elaine Cloutman-Green , a microbiologist whose work spans clinical, lab, and patient-facing roles about the importance of collaboration across microbiology disciplines.
If you're inspired by this conversation and want more information regarding FIS, you can find the details and information on how to register here.

To find out more about the Society's Journal of Medical Microbiology which encourages the publication of cross-disciplinary research, please visit our website for more information about the scope and submission guidelines.

To follow Elaine, she is @girlymicro.

Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikova from Pixabay

You can also read the transcript of the podcast here.

Episode 149: AI: a useful tool or dangerous unstoppable force?

Microbiology Society — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 13:27:39 +0000

For this episode of Microbe Talk, Clare is tackling the topic of AI in Microbial Genomics research. So what better time than now, to give AI a chance to generate the description?

*The below description was generated by Chat GPT*

In this captivating episode of Microbe Talk, your host Clare delves into the cutting-edge realm of microbial genomics and its fascinating intersection with artificial intelligence. Joining her in this stimulating discussion are two remarkable experts, Niamh Tumelty and Andrew Page, who are at the forefront of AI-driven advancements in microbial research.

Whether you're an AI aficionado, a genomics guru, or simply curious about the future of scientific discovery, this episode promises to spark your imagination and provide unparalleled insights. Join us on this journey into the realm where technology and biology intertwine, and witness the dawn of a new era in microbial research.

Tune in to Microbe Talk and embark on an intellectual adventure that bridges the gap between AI and microbial genomics.

Further information

Music: Space Chillout by penguinmusic from Pixabay

Niamh and Andrew's guest editorial, published in Microbial Genomics can be found on the Microbiology Society Journals website here.

Niamh and Andrew's podcasts:

https://soundcloud.com/microbinfie

https://soundcloud.com/research-pages

Niamh and Andrew's Twitter accounts:

⁠twitter.com/niamhtumelty ⁠

⁠twitter.com/andrewjpage ⁠

You can read the full transcript here.

Episode 148: CRISPR-Cas9 Takes on AMR Plasmids

Microbiology Society — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 16:14:25 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, David Walker Sunderhaulf chats with Clare about his paper "Removal of AMR plasmids using a mobile, broad host-range CRISPR-Cas9 delivery tool" published in Microbiology.

If you'd like to read David's paper, you can find it here https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.001334. You can also follow him on twitter @davvi36.

Music: Time Technology by Comma-Media from Pixabay

Episode 147: Getting to grips with industry careers

Microbiology Society — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 15:56:41 +0000

Are you looking for a microbiology career pick me up? Well look no further! On this special episode of Microbe Talk, Clare sits down with Microbiology Society member Dr Oliver Severn to discuss his experience of working in industry.

Music: pixabay 'That science ambient' by Comma Studio.

Episode 146: A deep dive into wastewater monitoring

Microbiology Society — Wed, 24 May 2023 11:13:02 +0000

This month, inspired by a paper published in Microbial Genomics, Clare takes a deep dive into the method of wastewater monitoring. She speaks to Professor Steve Patterson and Dr Anne Leonard about how wastewater monitoring is a useful tool which helps us understand not only the spread of diseases like COVID-19, but also antimicrobial resistance.

You can read Professor Patterson's paper, published in Microbial Genomics here. https://microb.io/3or9CsS

Music: pixabay Chill Abstract (Intention) Coma-Media

Episode 145: Annual Conference 2023: Demystifying Science Policy

Microbiology Society — Thu, 04 May 2023 11:31:55 +0000

This episode of Microbe Talk was recorded at our Annual Conference in Birmingham. For the very first time this year, we had an session entirely dedicated to science policy. In this episode, Katie and Clare chat with Dr Isobel Stanton, an invited speaker, and delegates that attended the session about how they found it and what they learned.

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.

Music: Blue Dot Sessions 'Dunder'

Episode 144: Invisible Friends

Microbiology Society — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 13:46:01 +0000

In our latest podcast, Clare and Microbiology Society member Jake Robinson discuss his new book Invisible Friends, the role of popular science books and how microbes can shape our lives and the world around us.

To order Jake’s Book visit pelagicpublishing.com/collections/co…42190054981803

You can also keep up to date with Jake’s work here: www.jakemrobinson.com and on Twitter @_jake_robinson

Music: 'That Science Ambient' by ComaStudio on pixabay

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.

Episode 143: Lab coats - the discrimination we don't see

Microbiology Society — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 16:39:24 +0000

Have you ever thought that your lab coat isn’t made for you? Has it affected how comfortable you feel in a lab?

On this episode of Microbe Talk Clare speaks to Derek Miller, founder of Genius Lab Gear, about all things lab coats, from impostor syndrome to safety issues. And how he is hoping to produce a lab coat that is designed with the diversity of scientists in mind.

Music: pixabay Chill Abstract (Intention) Coma-Media

Episode 142: The bacteriophage: is the enemy of our enemy a friend?

Microbiology Society — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 14:49:50 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Policy and Engagement Officer Katie talks to Professor Martha Clokie about bacteriophages, how they can be used to treat infection and potentially even combat antimicrobial resistance.

You can read our full response to the government inquiry on the antimicrobial potential of bacteriophages, here.

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.

Music: Blue Dot Sessions 'Blue Latex'

Episode 141: Could a new vaccine save the Tasmanian devil from a contagious cancer?

Microbiology Society — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 10:09:47 +0000

Every year, thousands of Tasmanian devils die from contagious facial tumours. On this episode of Microbe Talk, Charlotte speaks to Dr Andy Flies from the Menzies Institute at the University of Tasmania, Australia, about a potential new vaccine approach that could save these endangered animals.

You can view the video mentioned in the episode on our Instagram @MicrobioSoc and you can read Andy and his team’s publication in the Journal of General Virology at http://bit.ly/3ITxAok

Tasmanian Devil Recordings: Wild Immunity
Music: Eggs and Powder by Blue Dot Sessions.

Episode 140: The microbiology of your Christmas dinner

Microbiology Society — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 09:55:23 +0000

In this festive episode of Microbe Talk, Charlotte speaks to Dr Lorna Lancaster about the harmful and helpful microbes involved in making Christmas food.

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.
microbiologysociety.org/blog/podcast-…s-dinner.html

Music: Free Music Archive 'Adeline Yeo (HP) - Tis The Season To Be Jolly'

Episode 139: Disability History Month

Microbiology Society — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 15:18:41 +0000

In this special episode of Microbe Talk for Disability History Month, Charlie talks to Kirsty Jones about her experience of accessibility in labs.

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.
https://microbiologysociety.org/blog/podcast-disability-history-month.html

Music: Blue Dot Sessions 'The Corner Office'

Episode 138: Inside the creeping threat of fungal infections

Microbiology Society — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 12:58:52 +0000

Some fungal infections, like athletes' foot or thrush, are relatively common and are usually not serious. But in those with underlying conditions or compromised immune systems, fungal infections can be deadly.

In recent weeks, the World Health Organisation has warned of the serious threat that fungi pose to humans with a new report and list of priority fungal pathogens. In this episode of Microbe Talk, Charlotte takes a look inside the creeping threat of fungal infections with guests Prof Kevin Kavanagh and Prof Neil Gow.

Episode 137: The biggest ever bird flu outbreak: what you need to know

Microbiology Society — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:01:10 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Charlotte talks to Dr Ian Brown about what makes this year’s bird flu outbreak bigger and more worrisome than before.

Music:
Maarten Schellekens – Sweet Dreams – Middle-East Remix (freemusicarchive.org)

Episode 136: A Global Problem: Investigating the spread of Antimicrobial Resistance genes

Microbiology Society — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk Charlie talks to Dr Fiona Walsh about her team's research into how widespread plasmids carrying antimicrobial resistance genes are around the world, and what we can do about it.

Music:
Leatherbound by Blue Dot Sessions(www.sessions.blue)

Episode 135: Manuka honey could help treat a deadly drug-resistant lung infection

Microbiology Society — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 15:23:40 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Charlie talks to Dr Jonathan Cox about his team's newly published research on a surprising use for Manuka honey.

Music:
Leatherbound by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

Episode 134: Polio is back in the news: here's what you need to know

Microbiology Society — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode Charlie and Charlotte talk to Professor Nicola Stonehouse, Professor in Molecular Virology at the University of Leeds, about why we're talking about polio again, and what we need to know about it.

Music: Mango Breeze - Allison & Vexento
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hzcHUK4WaA
Support by RFM - NCM: https://youtu.be/xMUOdsywWcs

Episode 133: Are Meat Alternative Foods Good For You?

Microbiology Society — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 08:43:25 +0000

In this episode, Charlie talks to Jonathon Woods, a PhD student from Northumbria University about his research into the impact of meat alternative foods on the gut microbiome.

True Blue Sky by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

Episode 132: The impact of COVID on research and career progression part 2

Microbiology Society — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Listen to part two of our new episode of ‘Microbe Talk’, where we chat to some of our early career members about the cracks that exist in academia, and what needs to be done to safeguard the future of the microbiology research and innovation workforce.

Episode 131: The impact of COVID on research and career progression part 1

Microbiology Society — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Katie and Eva from our Policy and Engagement team chatted with early career microbiologists Colman O’Cathail, Raphael Galleh, Natalie Ring McBrien and Helen Brown about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their research and career progression.

Episode 130: Engaging Microbiology: Into the Microverse

Microbiology Society — Fri, 20 May 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Teaching and outreach in championing and advancing the understanding of microbiology is incredibly important. On this month's episode, I'm talking to Eliza Wolfson and Lizah van de Aart, two former microbiologists turned scientific illustrators and artists, about their work creating scientific art, and how scientific art can be used for scientific engagement.

https://ko-fi.com/intothemicroverse/
https://lizahvanderaart.com/
https://lizawolfson.co.uk/
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lizah/resist-now-volume-1/description

Episode 129: Annual Conference 22 Highlights

Microbiology Society — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 12:01:56 +0000

On this month's MicrobeTalk, Matt takes a look back at Annual Conference; talking to delegates and staff of the Society about our first in-person conference since 2019.

Episode 128: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Microbiology Society's Annual Conference

Microbiology Society — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 11:48:05 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Charlie takes us on a behind the scenes tour of the Microbiology Society's Annual Conference preparations and talks to some staff members about this year's event.

Episode 127: Robots and Beer: The future of Non-Conventional Yeasts in the Brewing Industry

Microbiology Society — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 14:02:31 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Charlie talks to Jose Aguiar-Cervera, a final year PhD student at the University of Manchester working at Singer Instruments. Listen to Charlie and Jose discuss his research into non-conventional yeasts in cider brewing, and how the future of the industry is being shaped by robots.

Episode 126: Microbe Talk: How does the circadian rhythm affect infection?

Microbiology Society — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 20:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Matt talks to Ryan Hames, a PhD student from the University of Leicester, UK. Listen to Matt and Ryan discuss his research into the circadian rhythm and how it affects the body’s immune response to invasive infection.

Episode 125: Infectious: Pathogens and How We Fight Them

Microbiology Society — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 23:00:00 +0000

COVID-19 has put the subject of infections and pathogens firmly on the centre stage. But it can be difficult to know where to go to find information that is easy to understand and that you can trust. This week Matt talks to Dr Tregoning, author of ‘Infectious: pathogens and how we fight them’, a book that gives a fascinating overview of our ongoing fight against pathogens, uncovering success stories in immunology and virology, and providing some hope in these uncertain times.

Episode 124: Hunting for microbes at the bottom of the ocean

Microbiology Society — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +0000

In this month’s episode, Laura speaks with Emma Keeler, research assistant at the University of Pennsylvania’s Bushman Lab. Emma recently completed a research project investigating whether the fungi that live at the bottom of the ocean – specifically around hydrothermal vents – could be the source of new antimicrobial compounds.

Follow Emma on Twitter @emviricota and find out more about her research in this recent research article (https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiab103).

Visit the Unlocking Potential page to find out about our new fundraising appeal (https://microbiologysociety.org/membership/unlocking-potential-fund.html).

Episode 123: MicroNews July

Microbiology Society — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 07:00:00 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss some of the times microbes and microbiology have been in the news over the last month. Listen to Matt and Laura discussing how tube worms survive in the deep sea, why scientists are building a mangrove in the lab and the recent algal blooms of Lake Superior.

Episode 122: MicroNews June

Microbiology Society — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 09:12:40 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss some of the times microbes and microbiology have been in the news over the last month. Listen to Matt and Laura discussing the a designer handbag made of fungus, how algae can help restore eyesight and why scientists are infecting mosquitoes with bacteria.

It’s this season’s must-have Hermès bag. And it’s made from fungus

'Miraculous' mosquito hack cuts dengue by 77%

Glowing bacteria may one day protect people from land mines
Climate warming can influence fungal communities on oak leaves across the growing season

Algae proteins partially restore man's sight

Bacteria used to clean diesel-polluted soil in Greenland

Episode 121: Microbiology Today: the impact of air pollution on bacteria

Microbiology Society — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 09:06:53 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Laura speaks with Lillie Purser, PhD student at the University of Leicester. Lillie’s research explores how air pollution can affect the way bacteria behave, specifically strains of bacteria involved in the health condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Find out more about Lillie and her colleagues at the University of Leicester’s research and follow her on Twitter @lilliepurser:
Air pollution alters Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae biofilms, antibiotic tolerance and colonisation (doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.13686)
The role of air pollution and bacteria in COPD (doi: 10.1099/acmi.ac2020.po0231)

Find out more about how microbes have adapted to climate change and associated events in May’s issue of Microbiology Today Life on a Changing Planet. (https://microbiologysociety.org/publication/current-issue/life-on-a-changing-planet.html)

Episode 120: MicroNews May

Microbiology Society — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 23:00:00 +0000

Episode 119: Bovine tuberculosis

Microbiology Society — Tue, 25 May 2021 09:36:03 +0000

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Laura and Professor Stephen Gordon from University College Dublin discuss tuberculosis research in both people and animals.
Find out more about Professor Gordon's research in the below articles:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Humanity's deadly microbial foe (doi: 10.1099/mic.0.000601)
Mycobacterium bovis genomics reveals transmission of infection between cattle and deer in Ireland (doi: 10.1099/mgen.0.000388)
Comparative 'omics analyses differentiate Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis and reveal distinct macrophage responses to infection with the human and bovine tubercle bacilli (doi:10.1099/mgen.0.000163)

Episode 118: 2021 Annual Conference Super Roundup

Microbiology Society — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 16:05:22 +0000

Join Matt and Laura for this special episode of the podcast where they reflect on what took place during the Microbiology Society's Annual Conference Online 2021.

Episode 117: MicroNews March

Microbiology Society — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 13:58:16 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss some of the times microbes and microbiology have been in the news over the last month. Listen to Matt and Laura discuss how microbes helped centipedes evolve venom, a new automated technique that could help name new microbes and why deep-sea bacteria are completely invisible to our immune system.

www.livescience.com/deep-sea-bacteria-invisible-to-human-immune-system.html
www.the-scientist.com/notebook/researchers-propose-automating-the-naming-of-novel-microbes--68411
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/microplastics-in-sewage-become-hubs-for-drug-resistant-bacteria-study/article34176654.ece
theconversation.com/diphtheria-could-become-a-problem-again-thanks-to-new-variants-and-antimicrobial-resistance-156973
en.brinkwire.com/science/centipedes-incorporated-the-toxic-weapons-of-bacteria-and-fungi-into-their-venoms/
www.washingtonpost.com/health/most-viruses-around-us-are-benign-some-are-even-lifesaving/2021/03/12/cd833cc0-76bc-11eb-948d-19472e683521_story.html

Episode 116: Vaccines: more questions answered

Microbiology Society — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 16:54:30 +0000

There is probably more misinformation about vaccines on the internet than any other topic. As we are the largest learned microbiological society in the UK, we decided to do something about it. We asked three experts some of the most commonly googled questions about vaccines. Check out the video on our YouTube channel to see some of the most searched vaccine questions answered: youtu.be/gIfOVlJDCpE

Episode 115: MicroNews February

Microbiology Society — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 11:54:05 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss some of the times microbes and microbiology have been in the news over the last month. Listen to Matt and Laura discussing the role of lizards in controlling Lyme disease, the fungus causing an amphibian apocalypse and how microbes could be used for green building materials.

Episode 114: MicroNews January

Microbiology Society — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 16:34:09 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss some of the times microbes and microbiology have been in the news over the last month. Listen to Matt and Laura discussing the microbes beetles use to hide their food, sea star wasting disease and the inherited microbiome of plants.

We know almost nothing about giant viruses: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/01/giant-viruses-can-change-their-hosts-dna/617555/

Some bacteria are suffocating sea stars, turning the animals to goo: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bacteria-suffocating-sea-stars-wasting-disease-goo

Beetle parents manipulate information broadcast from bacteria in a rotting corpse: https://theconversation.com/beetle-parents-manipulate-information-broadcast-from-bacteria-in-a-rotting-corpse-151447

Brazilian ant farm yields new antifungal compound: https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2021/01/20/Brazilian-ant-farm-yields-new-antifungal-compound/1471611120400/?ur3=1

Seeds transfer their microbes to the next generation: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210121131652.htm

A Sustainable Future policy reports: https://microbiologysociety.org/news/society-news/a-sustainable-future-policy-reports-published-today.html

Episode 113: Joi Hok! Breaking the stigma of tuberculosis in India

Microbiology Society — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 11:50:23 +0000

In the first episode of 2021, Matt talks to Sreyashi Basu who with her collaborator Sanjib Bhakta, was awarded the Outreach prize for their Joi Hok! initiative. The project uses traditional art forms and music to communicate knowledge of tuberculosis to school children in India.

To find out more about Joi Hok:
Joi Hok YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6UR4H9DuDeRzqRPEUZc2pA/featured
Joi Hok Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joihokTBcampaign/
Joi Hok Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joi.hok/?hl=en
Sreyashi Basu Twitter - https://twitter.com/sreyashibasu2?lang=en
www.joihok.org/about/

Episode 112: Microbiology and art

Microbiology Society — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 16:43:04 +0000

In this episode of the podcast, Laura speaks with Dr Rod Dillon, Senior Lecturer at the University of Lancaster. Rod talks about his research into the protist parasite Leishmania, and how he has combined his microbiology expertise with art to communicate science in a different way.
Rod recently received a grant from the Microbiology Society this, together with an Arts Council England grant, was used to develop and produce The Endosymbiotic Love Calendar 2021.

The calendar is on sale now on the Endosymbiotic Love Calendar website. This project brings performance artists & microbiologists together through drag to embody a microorganism for every month of 2021 and links the vitally important world of microbiological research with feminist and queer perspectives to share biological knowledge in an innovative way. Prices include postage: £15 UK mainland (£12 concession price, no question asked), £19 Europe, £20 rest of the world. 50% of the price will be donated to The Outside Project the UK’s first LGBTIQ+ Crisis/Homeless Shelter and Community Centre.

Episode 111: MicroNews November

Microbiology Society — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 14:53:36 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss some of the times microbes and microbiology have been in the news over the last month. Listen to Matt and Laura discussing the microbes in your bed, the researchers using pig lungs to learn about cystic fibrosis and the antibiotic that could be used to treat Zika.

Bed dust microorganisms may boost children's health, study suggests

Understanding lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis

Check out the research article in Microbiology and our video about the pig lung research model.

Commonly used antibiotic shows promise for combating Zika infections

COVID-19 vaccines: when will one be ready?

Potential treatment against antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing gonorrhoea and meningitis

Asteroid-munching microbes could mine materials from space rocks

MicroNews October

Microbiology Society — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 23:00:00 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss some of the times microbes and microbiology have been in the news over the last month. Listen to Matt and Laura discussing how microbiologists are tackling the amount of plastic waste used in laboratories, ash dieback and a COVID-19 story that Matt just couldn’t resist talking about.

This month's stories:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201016164320.htm
https://microbiologysociety.org/news/press-releases/does-science-have-a-plastic-problem-microbiologists-take-steps-to-reducing-plastic-waste.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/oct/14/tardigrades-latest-superpower-a-fluorescent-protective-shield
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54373214
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/25/any-breed-could-do-it-dogs-might-be-covid-testers-best-friend

Microbiology Today: Winners of the Fleming Prize

Microbiology Society — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 10:21:47 +0000

In this Microbiology Today episode of Microbe Talk, Laura revisits interviews with some of the Microbiology Society’s Fleming Prize winners. The Microbiology Society's Fleming Prize is awarded each year to an early career researcher who has achieved an outstanding research record within 12 years of being awarded their PhD. As part of our 75th Anniversary celebrations, the Microbiology Society planned the Fleming Showcase to celebrate the legacy of past Fleming Prize winners and to examine some of the most exciting science from around the globe.

Hear from some other Fleming Prize winners in October’s issue of Microbiology Today.

Watch the film with Professors Tracy Palmer, David Richardson and Peter Fineran: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imx26YF-R30&feature=emb_title

MicroNews September

Microbiology Society — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 10:20:33 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss microbiology in the news over the last month. As COVID-19 is taking over the news elsewhere, we decided to focus on other stories from the microbial world, including a surge in plankton in the Arctic, using fungus to produce handbags and the microbiology behind June's mass elephant die-off.
Flu jabs limited due to high demand: www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54273172

To find out more, check out the Flu Review episode: microbiologysociety.org/blog/microbe-…u-review.html of Microbe Talk.

A massive surge in phytoplankton has researchers pondering the future of the Arctic: www.nrdc.org/stories/massive-su…ring-future-arctic

Phages: the tiny viruses that could help beat superbugs: www.theguardian.com/global-developm…-beat-superbugs

Is there life floating in the clouds of Venus?: www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54133538

That mushroom motorcycle jacket will never go out of style: www.nytimes.com/2020/09/16/scienc…email&login=email

Mystery elephant deaths caused by cyanobacteria: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54234396

A new age for conferences?

Microbiology Society — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 09:20:09 +0000

The COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed how we live and work. For scientists, this means that for the time being conferences have had to change. At the Microbiology Society, we recently held an online conference for early career microbiologists. In this month’s episode, Matt talks to Meaghan Castledine, a PhD student who spoke at the conference. They discuss how she got into microbiology, what it was like presenting at an online conference, and where her research is going next.

To find more about the Early Career Microbiologist’s Forum visit our website or LinkedIn page.
www.microbiologysociety.org/why-microbiology-matters/early-career-microbiologists-forum.html
www.linkedin.com/company/microbiology-society/

MicroNews August

Microbiology Society — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 11:10:16 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss microbiology in the news over the last month. As COVID-19 is taking over the news elsewhere, we decided to focus on other stories from the microbial world, including how insect wings are inspiring new ways to fight superbugs, an extreme fungus that could protect astronauts from deadly radiation and the huge plankton bloom off the UK coast that can be seen from space.

Acute oak decline - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8642473/Gangrene-like-disease-plaguing-English-oak-trees-caused-bacteria-beetles.html

Insect wings inspire new ways to fight superbugs - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200818103841.htm

Why doesn't Ebola cause disease in bats, as it does in people? - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200818142147.htm

Extreme Chernobyl fungus could protect astronauts from deadly radiation - https://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2020/07/extreme-chernobyl-fungus-could-protect-astronauts-from-deadly-radiation/

In space, bacteria is even more deadly and resilient to antibiotics - https://thenextweb.com/syndication/2020/08/09/in-space-bacteria-is-even-more-deadly-and-resilient-to-antibiotics/

Huge plankton bloom off UK coast visible from space - https://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2020-08-19/Huge-plankton-bloom-off-UK-coast-visible-from-space--T2oNj5LZLO/index.html

SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 research in the UK

Microbiology Society — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 13:54:42 +0000

Last month, on 29 July, the Microbiology Society hosted a one day online workshop to support ongoing and future research around the pandemic. It was a fantastic event, headed by an organising committee of Professor Peter O’Hare, Professor Mark Harris, Professor Paul Kellam, Dr Steve Griffin and Dr Lindsay Broadbent. In this episode, Laura speaks with Lindsay, Steve and Peter about the day and how, going forward, we hope to continue to support the microbiology community in tackling the pandemic.

See our website for the the full programme of the event and check out the blog for what delegates were saying about the workshop on Twitter.

MicroNews July

Microbiology Society — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 12:42:21 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss microbiology in the news over the last month. As COVID-19 is taking over the news elsewhere, we decided to focus on other stories from the microbial world, including parasitic fungi with behaviour-changing effects, medieval medicines and the smell of sweat.

Return of the zombie cicadas: manipulative qualities of fungal-infected flyers: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200727145424.htm

Caterpillar fungus on brink of extinction: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/09/caterpillar-fungus-and-european-hamster-on-brink-of-extinction

Medieval medicine remedy could provide new treatment for modern day infections: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200728113545.htm

Turmeric could have antiviral properties: https://microbiologysociety.org/news/press-releases/turmeric-could-have-antiviral-properties.html

Deep sea microbes dormant for 100 million years are hungry and ready to multiply: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200728113533.htm

The biological mechanism behind body odour: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gene-scientists-on-scent-of-an-end-to-body-odour-hcmszcrl8

Microbial genomics amidst the Arctic crisis

Microbiology Society — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 23:00:00 +0000

On this month’s Microbe Talk, Matt talks to Dr Arwyn Edwards; an Arctic microbiologist based at Aberystwyth University. Dr Edwards recently published a paper in Microbial Genomics entitled ‘Microbial genomics amidst the Arctic crisis’. Dr Edwards and Matt discuss the paper, the challenges of working in the Arctic and how Arctic microbial research is changing

To read the article visit: www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.000375

A sustainable future and a circular economy

Microbiology Society — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 11:57:51 +0000

As part of our 'A Sustainable Future' policy project, the Microbiology Society's policy team have produced three special episodes of Microbe Talk to explore the role of microbiology to address some of the world’s biggest challenges. This episode, Eva speaks with Professor Alison Smith Head of the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge and Emilia Wojcik, PhD student at the University of Manchester to find out how their research contributes to moving towards a circular economy as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

MicroNews June

Microbiology Society — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 23:00:00 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss microbiology in the news over the last month. As COVID-19 is taking over the news elsewhere, we decided to focus on other stories from the microbial world, including the effect of e-cigarettes on the microbiome, the disease decimating bananas and an incredible discovery inside a fungus. 

The National Centre for Type Cultures - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/08/science/bacteria-library-nctc.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimesscience

What if all viruses disappeared? - https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200617-what-if-all-viruses-disappeared?ocid=ww.social.link.twitter

Panama disease - https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/follow-the-food-test/the-pandemic-threatening-bananas.html

E-cigarettes and the microbiome - https://theconversation.com/e-cigarettes-found-to-cause-change-in-mouth-bacteria-which-could-lead-to-gum-disease-or-oral-cancer-140579

New bacteria found in fungus - http://astrobiology.com/2020/06/nasa-discovers-two-new-types-of-bacterial-life-inside-a-fungus-on-earth.html

The oral microbiome and heart disease - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200623100126.htm

A sustainable future and antimicrobial resistance

Microbiology Society — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 15:28:20 +0000

As part of our 'A Sustainable Future' policy project, the Microbiology Society's policy team have produced three special episodes of Microbe Talk to explore the role of microbiology to address some of the world’s biggest challenges. This episode, Emily speaks with Professor Laura Piddock from the University of Birmingham, who is currently on secondment as the Director of Scientific Affairs, Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership. In the second half of the episode, Emily speaks with Dr Anne Leonard, research fellow at the University of Exeter. Listen to the episode to find out how research into antimicrobial resistance fits into the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

MicroNews May

Microbiology Society — Fri, 29 May 2020 10:33:40 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss microbiology in the news over the last month. This episode, Laura and Matt discuss how microbiologists are working to improve the pneumococcus vaccine, the new species of fungus discovered through the power of social media and how microbes could be used to reduce coral bleaching.

Links to the news stories discussed during this episode can be found below:

Coral bleaching: scientists 'find way to make coral more heat-resistant': www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-austral…63C&at_campaign=64

Pollution affects underground microbial communities: phys.org/news/2020-05-human-d…ent-underground.html

How to improve the pneumococcus vaccine: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0519090310.htm

New species of fungus discovered through Twitter: www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/art…ed-TWITTER.html

Bumble bee disease, reproduction shaped by flowering strip plants: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0511154852.htm

Immunity to coronaviruses: what do we know so far?: microbiologysociety.org/news/press-re…w-so-far.html (Read the full review in the Journal of General Virology: www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jo…v.0.001439)

A sustainable future in soil health

Microbiology Society — Fri, 22 May 2020 11:00:00 +0000

As part of our 'A Sustainable Future' policy project, the Microbiology Society's policy team have produced three special episodes of Microbe Talk to explore the role of microbiology to address some of the world’s biggest challenges. This episode, Hannah speaks with Dr Ellie Harrison, Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield and Luke Hillary, PhD student at Bangor University to find out about how their research into soil health contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Visit the 'A Sustainable Future' project webpage and find out more about how microbiology can be used to improve soil health.

Why does microbiology matter?

Microbiology Society — Mon, 04 May 2020 23:00:00 +0000

As you may know, 2020 is the Microbiology Society’s 75th anniversary. In order to properly commemorate this, we wanted to do some suitably big celebrations. On this month’s Microbe Talk, Matt talks through one of the celebratory project, ‘Showcasing why Microbiology Matters’, with Dr Chloe James, Chair of the Communications Committee.

MicroNews April

Microbiology Society — Mon, 04 May 2020 08:27:56 +0000

As COVID-19 is taking over the news elsewhere, we decided to focus on other stories from the microbial world, including developing a vaccine for malaria, breakthroughs in protist genomics and using bacteria to help plants grow in salty soil.
Links to the news stories discussed during this episode can be found below:

Research reveals a new malaria vaccine candidate: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0422132930.htm

Recently-discovered bacteria could be used as a biopesticide: phys.org/news/2020-04-bioinse…ented-bacterium.html

Scientists use bacteria to help plants grow in salty soil: www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/20…b-sub042320.php

Devloping genetic tools to understand protist DNA: www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/04/ne…pic-marine-life

The effect of urbanisation on infectious disease outbreaks: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0421112557.htm

How do Streptomyces attract insects?: www.newscientist.com/article/223985…invertebrates/

Could snake venom contain antibiotics?

Microbiology Society — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Laura speaks with Alice Fraser from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Alice is part of a research team looking for new antibiotics in unexpected places. Listen to the episode to find out about her research searching for antibiotic proteins in snake venoms and find out what Alice has found so far.
Music: Jason Shaw CC.BY 3.0

MicroNews March

Microbiology Society — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 23:00:00 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss microbiology in the news over the last month. As COVID-19 is taking over the news elsewhere, we decided to focus on other stories from the microbial world, including the microbiome of turtles, how bacteria are being used to clean groundwater and a new way to tackle Candida auris. Links to the news stories discussed during this episode can be found below:

Bacteria capable of breaking down hard-to-recycle plastics: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8157161/Polyurethane-eating-microbe-answer-plastic-pollution.html

Improving cleanup of contaminated groundwater: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200325212201.htm

Fighting cancer with fungi: https://www.genengnews.com/topics/bioprocessing/fighting-cancer-with-fungi/

Scientists find new compound that kills Candida auris: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200325154054.htm

What can be learned from the microbes on a turtle’s shell?: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200326144423.htm

Hantavirus – no need to worry: https://www.newsweek.com/hantavirus-death-china-coronavirus-outbreak-1494099

Managing mildew

Microbiology Society — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 12:59:35 +0000

This month on Microbe Talk, Laura speaks with Haoxiang Wu, PhD student at Hong Kong Baptist University. In some tropical climates, mould growth is managed by near-constant use of dehumidifiers or air conditioners, which has a great environmental impact. Haoxiang’s research involves using fluid dynamics to control indoor mould growth in a sustainable way.
Read the following articles to find out more about Haoxiang’s research:
Environmental sustainability and mould hygiene in buildings, International Journal of Environmental and Public Health
Current challenges for shaping the sustainable and mould-free hygienic indoor environment in humid regions, Letters in Applied Microbiology
The role of oxidative stress in the growth of the indoor mould Cladosporium cladosporioides under water dynamics, Indoor air

You can get in touch with Haoxiang at kubeng@life.hkbu.edu.hk

MicroNews February

Microbiology Society — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 11:28:10 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss microbiology in the news over the last month. As well as discussing microbiology news stories, which include protecting coral reefs from climate change, new antibiotics and radiation-eating fungi; this month Laura and Matt give an update on the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

Links to the news stories discussed during this episode can be found below:

Scientists find huge bacteriophage: www.futurity.org/phages-microbiomes-2283062/
Invasive ants found to contain seasonal viruses: phys.org/news/2020-02-invasiv…easonal-viruses.html
Fungi that ‘eats’ radiation: www.express.co.uk/news/science/123…ar-reactor-fungi
Researchers decode how malaria parasite reproduces: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0211121500.htm
New group of antibiotics that fight bacteria in a unique way: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0212131523.htm
How do algal communities within corals help them tolerate stress?: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0212150129.htm
Coronavirus outbreak: Expert comment from our members: microbiologysociety.org/news/society-…-members.html

The ecological role of protists

Microbiology Society — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 12:27:23 +0000

Protists are an extremely important part of many ecosystems, but people don't often consider their significance and the biodiversity they represent. In this episode of the podcast, Laura speaks with Professor Genoveva Esteban who is based at Bournemouth University, UK. Genoveva's research focuses on the biodiversity of aquatic systems in the UK, particularly at a microbial level.

Micronews January

Microbiology Society — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 12:02:02 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss microbiology in the news over the last month. As well as discussing microbiology news stories, which include chronic wasting disease, 3D printing and ancient fungi; this month Matt and Laura give a timeline of Coronavirus.
Links to the news stories discussed during this episode can be found below:
World’s oldest fungi found in fossils on.natgeo.com/36LLh1W
University of Sheffield scientists develop 3D parts that can fight bacteria bit.ly/2OdrYbs
First CWD-positive wild deer found in Marathon County bit.ly/3b1rgYu
Bacteria might get autoimmune diseases too bit.ly/37LLLq7
Coronavirus outbreak: expert comment from our members bit.ly/2RMYd3H

GlobalseaweedSTAR – microbiology's role in the seaweed industry

Microbiology Society — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 11:37:35 +0000

For countries like Malaysia, Tanzania and the Philippines, seaweed agriculture is a major industry. However, these countries still see significant crop losses due to disease and pests. So what role does microbiology have in helping these countries’ growth in the industry?

On this month’s episode Matt visited London’s Natural History Museum to talk to Professor Juliet Brodie. Professor Brodie is a seaweed researcher working with GlobalSeaweedSTAR, a programme aiming to grow the research and innovation capabilities of developing countries engaged in seaweed farming.
To find out more about GlobalseaweedSTAR’s work, visit their website.
www.globalseaweed.org/

Microbiology Today: Natural Products And Drug Discovery

Microbiology Society — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 09:21:14 +0000

This is a special Microbiology Today edition of Microbe Talk. The latest issue of the Society’s magazine, Microbiology Today, focuses on natural products and drug discovery. In this podcast we talk with two researchers about their work to find new antimicrobial compounds that could be used to form new treatments: Lorena T. Fernández-Martínez from Edge Hill University about her research on actinomycetes and Aled Roberts from Swansea University Medical School about his work on manuka honey.

Find out more about natural products and drug discovery in the November issue of Microbiology Today: https://microbiologysociety.org/microbiologytoday

Mosquito Saliva and its Enhancing Effect on Arboviruses

Microbiology Society — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Anyone who’s been enjoying the sun on a nice summers evening knows the dreaded whine made by mosquitoes on the hunt for a meal. In recent years mosquitoes have been appearing in the news more and more due outbreaks of diseases such as dengue and zika. As if getting bitten by a mosquito wasn’t bad enough, if it is carrying the arbovirus, the saliva causing the annoying itchy bumps is actually helping the arbovirus infect you.

On this month’s episode, Matt talks to Daniella Lefteri, finalist of the 2019 Young Microbiologist of the Year. Daniella is researching the enhancing effect of this saliva and how it might be able to help in the growing arbovirus problem.

To find out more about Daniella and her research, read her interview with us on our blog: https://microbiologysociety.org/blog/meet-the-young-microbiologist-of-the-year-finalists-daniella-lefteri.html

MicroNews November

Microbiology Society — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss some of the times microbiology has been in the news during the past month. In this episode, Matt and Laura discuss the differences in microbial diversity in rural and urban areas, climate change and its effect on otters and a piece of new research investigating how an emerging virus might affect frogs.
Links to the news stories discussed during this episode can be found below:
Violet coral fungus seen in Wales https://bbc.in/35J9uWQ
Abundance of microbe diversity key to healthy coastal ecosystem https://bit.ly/2L37Nvl
Sea ice loss linked to spread of deadly virus https://bbc.in/2DrqggZ
Urban houses could have higher diversity of fungus than rural houses https://n.pr/2sr0dnR
‘Velcro’ style test could spot Alzheimer’s years before symptoms develop https://bit.ly/2rAaptA
New species of ranavirus threatens frogs https://bit.ly/2ORQrmf
Antibiotics price drop could reduce development of TB https://bit.ly/2qJRcG7

Domino Effect: Sarah Jones and Dr John Tregoning

Microbiology Society — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:26:04 +0000

This month on Microbe Talk is the third episode of Domino Effect, the podcast series where a Microbiology Society member is interviewed by another microbiologist who they have never met before. In this episode, Sarah Jones, PhD student in geomicrobiology at Birkbeck and UCL, is interviewed by Dr John Tregoning, Reader in Respiratory Infections at Imperial College London.

MicroNews October

Microbiology Society — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 15:15:43 +0000

In this episode, Laura and Matt discuss deadly fungi, the flu vaccine and how scientists are making carbon fibers out of algae.

Links to the news stories discussed during this episode can be found below:

Poison fire coral found in Australia: bit.ly/2Nogf8Q
Tsunamis linked to spread of deadly fungal disease: bbc.in/2oxacq0
Researchers turn algae into material as hard as steel: bit.ly/2r17EkX
Badger culls risk increased spread of bovine tuberculosis to cattle: bbc.in/2WAeN7t
Could green tea hold the solution to rising antimicrobial resistance? bit.ly/2PAKLPE
Flu vaccine offered to every primary school child in England: bit.ly/36oqQZV

The role of microbes in cancer

Microbiology Society — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 13:26:39 +0000

In this month’s episode of the podcast, Laura speaks with two experts on the relationship with certain microbes and cancer: Professor Paul Farrell, of Imperial College London, and Dr Karen Robinson, from the University of Nottingham.

Paul Farrell: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/p.farrell
Karen Robinson: https://nddcbru.org.uk/team/dr-karen-robinson

Find out more about the relationship between Epstein-Barr Virus and Cancer in Paul’s review: https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-012418-013023?journalCode=pathmechdis

Research in the Journal of Medical Microbiology investigated how the gut microbiota could be used to predict whether you are likely to develop cancer: https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.001049