Microbe Talk

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Why does microbiology matter? May 04, 2020

Show notes

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 May 04, 2020

Show notes

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? Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

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 Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

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 Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

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 Feb 28, 2020

Show notes

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 Feb 14, 2020

Show notes

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 Jan 31, 2020

Show notes

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 Jan 10, 2020

Show notes

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 Dec 18, 2019

Show notes

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

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