Microbe Talk

Latest Episodes:

Episode 127: Robots and Beer: The future of Non-Conventional Yeasts in the Brewing Industry Feb 28, 2022

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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? Jan 28, 2022

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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 Oct 13, 2021

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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 Aug 19, 2021

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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 Jul 30, 2021

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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 Jul 09, 2021

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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 Jun 11, 2021

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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 Jun 01, 2021

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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 way antibiotics work, a positive story about sea star wasting disease and the importance of soil-dwelling protists.

Episode 119: Bovine tuberculosis May 25, 2021

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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 Apr 30, 2021

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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.

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