This Week in Microbiology - podcast cover

This Week in Microbiology

Vincent Racaniellowww.asm.org
This Week in Microbiology is a podcast about unseen life on Earth hosted by Vincent Racaniello and friends. Following in the path of his successful shows 'This Week in Virology' (TWiV) and 'This Week in Parasitism' (TWiP), Racaniello and guests produce an informal yet informative conversation about microbes which is accessible to everyone, no matter what their science background.
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Episodes

TWiM #162: Intracellular bacteria with flagella

The TWiM hosts and associated microbiomes review a fungus destroying salamanders in Europe, and genes for flagella in intracellular bacteria. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , Michele Swanson and Elio Schaechter. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iPhone , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Fungus killing fire salamanders (Nature) Chlamydia with flagella (ISME J) Flagellar movemen...

Oct 13, 201753 minEp. 162

TWiM #161: Eros, a bacterial aphrodisiac

From the TWiM team, a discussion of Hurricane Harvey microbiology, and a bacterial enzyme that induces eukaryotic mating. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , Michele Swanson and Elio Schaechter. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iPhone , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Tainted Houston floodwaters (NYTimes) Peter Hotez on TWiP 29 FAQ: Microbiology of Built Environments , American...

Sep 21, 201756 minEp. 161

TWiM #160: On the road to virus

The TWiM team provides an update on Zika virus, and reveals a plasmid on the road to becoming a virus. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , and Michele Swanson . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iPhone , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Regional Zika update, Americas (PAHO, WHO) FGCU, Zika ( TWiV 454 ) CDC Graphic of US zika cases as of May 2017 Archaeal plasmid travels cell to c...

Sep 08, 20171 hr 7 minEp. 160

TWiM #159: Immunophage synergy

The TWiM team pays a tribute to Chris Condayan, and investigates the synergy between virus and the innate immune system for clearing bacterial pneumonia by phage therapy.

Aug 31, 20171 hr 1 minEp. 159

TWiM #158: The bottom line

The TWiM team considers a report on prokaryotic viral DNA in mammalian brain, and how diarrhea is beneficial, by clearing enteric pathogens. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , Michele Swanson and Elio Schaechter. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iPhone , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Prokaryotic viral sequence in the brain (PNAS) Diarrhea clears enteric pathogens (Cell Host ...

Aug 10, 20171 hr 5 minEp. 158

TWiM #157: Back to the ancestor

The TWiMbionts explore the role of bacteria in the genesis of moonmilk, and how ancient host proteins can be used to engineer resistance to virus infection. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michele Swanson and Elio Schaechter. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iPhone , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Role of Streptomyces in moonmilk (bioRxiv) TWiM 51: Cave science with Hazel Barton Moonmilk (W...

Jul 27, 201757 minEp. 157

TWiM #156: Gifted microbes and defensive symbiosis

The TWiM team explains the use of microbial genome mining to identify new drugs, and how a bacterial symbiont protects flies against parasitoid wasps. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , Michele Swanson and Elio Schaechter. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iPhone , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Molecular beacons identify gifted microbes (J Antibiot) Defensive symbiosis (PLoS ...

Jul 13, 201758 min

TWiM #155: Living in the stomach of a cell

Michele updates the TWiMers on Legionella in the Flint water supply, and Elio informs us about how horizontally acquired biosynthesis genes boost the physiology of Coxiella burnetii. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , Michele Swanson and Elio Schaechter. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iPhone , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Legionella in Flint water (The Scientist) Q fever ...

Jun 29, 201757 min

TWiM #154: Rigor, lotteries, and moonshots

At Microbe 2017 in New Orleans, the TWiM team speaks with Arturo Casadevall about his thoughts on the pathogenic potential of a microbe, rigorous science, funding by lottery, and moonshot science. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , Michele Swanson and Elio Schaechter. Watch the video version recorded live at ASM Microbe 2017! Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iPhone , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM. ...

Jun 14, 20171 hr 14 min

TWiM #153: Covert pathogenesis

The TWiM team ventures into preprint space with an analysis of type VI secretion across human gut microbiomes, and provide insight into urinary tract infection: how bladder exposure to a member of the vaginal microbiota triggers E. coli egress from latent reservoirs. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , Michele Swanson and Elio Schaechter. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iPhone , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patr...

May 30, 201758 min

TWiM #152: Wooden steps

The TWiMmers get cozy with symbionts: the bacteria that allow a giant shipworm to oxidize sulfur, and algae that live within salamander cells. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , and Elio Schaechter. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iPhone , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode ASM Microbe 2017 Chemoautotrophic symbiosis in giant shipworm (PNAS) There’s gold in them hills ( TWiM 97 ...

May 19, 201751 min

TWiM #151: Bat and moth antimicrobials

The TWiMsters discuss potential new sources of antimicrobial compounds from unusual places: the skin of bats and the intestines of moths. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , Elio Schaechter, and Michele Swanson . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iPhone , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode JMBE science communication issue Bat sources of novel antifungals (AEM) White nose syndrome i...

May 04, 20171 hr

TWiM #150: Microbiology is where it’s at

In recognition of National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, Robin Patel speaks with the TWiM team about directing a clinical bacteriology laboratory, and how an observation made by a laboratory technologist lead to the finding that Ureaplasma species can cause a system metabolic disturbance, hyperammonemia. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Elio Schaechter , Michael Schmidt , and Michele Swanson Guest: Robin Patel Links for this episode: National Laboratory Professionals Week Mayo Clinic Clinica...

Apr 20, 20171 hr 1 min

TWiM #149: You’re going to learn R

The TWiM team speaks with Pat Schloss about assigning sequence data to operational taxonomic units, and his experience with mSphere Direct, a new way of submitting papers for publication. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , Elio Schaechter, and Michele Swanson . Special guest: Pat Schloss Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iPhone , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Schloss Laborato...

Apr 06, 20171 hr 3 min

TWiM #148: Neanderthal Dentistry

Vincent, Elio, and Michael reveal what Neanderthals ate from analysis of DNA in their teeth, and new CRISPR-Cas systems found in the genomes of uncultured microbes. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Elio Schaechter, and Michael Schmidt. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iPhone , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode Ancient DNA in Neanderthal teeth (Nature) New CRISPRs from metagenomics (Nature) CRIS...

Mar 23, 201755 min

TWiM #147: The Public Goods Dilemma

The TWiM hosts reveal why phosphorus is essential for fungal brain disease, and how bacteria kill local competitors to favor the evolution of public goods cooperation. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michele Swanson , Michael Schmidt , and Elio Schaechter . Links for this episode Phosphate needed for Cryptococcus brain disease (mSphere) Type VI killing drives phase separation (Nat Rep) Type VI secretion review (Phil Trans Roy Soc) Microbial cooperation and conflict (TedX) Image credit Letters read o...

Mar 10, 20171 hr 7 min

TWiM #146: Viral arbitrium

Vincent, Elio and Michael discuss the finding of a prion in bacteria, and how communication between bacteria guides the decision between lysis and lysogeny. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , and Elio Schaechter. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes , Stitcher , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM . Links for this episode ASM 2017 Election is Open! VOTE HERE Prions in bacteria (Science) Communication guides lys...

Feb 23, 201754 min

TWiM Special: Q fever with Robert Heinzen

Host: Vincent Racaniello Guest: Robert Heinzen At the Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Hamilton, Montana, Vincent speaks with Robert Heinzen about the work of his laboratory on Q fever and its causative microbe, Coxiella burneti . Become a Patron of TWiM ! Links for this episode Rocky Mountain Laboratory Heinzen Laboratory Small town, big science ( TWiM 140 ) Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by Ronald Jenkees and used with permission. Send your microbiology questions and comments to twim...

Feb 16, 20171 hr 5 min

TWiM #145: Anything but academic

Vincent meets up with Catharine Bosio, Michael Merchlinsky, and Shilpa Gadwal at the ASM Biothreats meeting to talk about careers for scientists outside of the ivory tower. Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode: ASM Biothreats 2017 Rocky Mountain Laboratory BARDA...

Feb 09, 20171 hr 3 min

TWiM #144: Did eukaryotes invent anything?

The TWiMers discuss how changes in domestic laundering affect the removal of microorganisms, and assembly of a nucleus-like structure during viral replication in bacteria. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , Elio Schaechter, and Michele Swanson . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes , Stitcher , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM . Links for this episode Laundry hygiene (J Appl Micro) Nucleus-like structure in ...

Jan 26, 20171 hr 6 min

TWiM #143: E-scaffolds and receptor transfer

Vincent, Michael, and Michele explain the use of an electrochemical gradient to eliminate bacterial biofilms, and how phage susceptibility can be transferred by exchange of receptor proteins. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt, and Michele Swanson . Right click to download TWiM#143 (32 MB .mp3, 66 minutes). Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes , Stitcher , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episo...

Jan 12, 20171 hr 6 min

TWiM #142: A membrane-thickness caliper

Vincent, Elio and Michele wind up a year of microbial podcasts with a story about the lack of resistance to a crop antifungal compound, and how a bacterium uses a molecular caliper to measure membrane thickness. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Elio Schaechter, and Michele Swanson . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes , Stitcher , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Links for this episode Phenylpyrroles: Nearly no resistance (Front Micro) Membrane-t...

Dec 29, 201659 min

TWiM #141: Nutritional immunity and polymicrobial infections

Jennifer joins Vincent, Elio, and Michael to talk about the work of her laboratory on how a respiratory virus enhances bacterial growth by dysregulating nutritional immunity. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Elio Schaechter, and Michael Schmidt. Guest: Jennifer Bomberger Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes , Stitcher , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Links for this episode Virus dysregulation of nutritional immunity (PNAS) Podcast article mentio...

Dec 15, 20161 hr 6 min

TWiM 140: Small town, big science

Host: Vincent Racaniello Guests: Marie Antonioli, Bryan Hansen, Forrest Jessop, Kyle Shifflet and Jim Striebel At the Hamilton, Montana Performing Arts Center, Vincent speaks with three local high school graduates and two high school teachers about how Rocky Mountain Laboratories influenced school science programs and opened up career opportunities. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes , Stitcher , Android , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . B...

Dec 01, 20161 hr 20 min

TWiM #139: Frackibacter and sticky fingers

The TWiM team discusses microbial DNA found on ATM machines in New York City, and how hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, alters microbial ecosystems deep in the Earth. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , Elio Schaechter, and Michele Swanson . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes , Stitcher , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Links for this episode Microbial DNA on ATM machines in NYC (mSphere) NYC OpenData Altering deep microbial eco...

Nov 18, 20161 hr 11 min

TWiM #138: Learning to love uranium and the A-baum

The TWiM team brings you a bacterium from a Colorado field site that grows on uranium, and copper resistance in the emerging pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Michael Schmidt , Elio Schaechter, and Michele Swanson . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes , Stitcher , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Links for this episode Kavli Microbiome Ideas Challenge Uranium-respiring bacterium from a field site (PLoS One) Acid m...

Nov 03, 20161 hr 2 min

TWiM #137: The battle for oxygen

Highlights of the Recent Advances in Microbial Control meeting in San Diego, and expansion of a gut pathogen by virulence factors that stimulate aerobic respiration. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Elio Schaechter, Michael Schmidt , and Michele Swanson . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes , Stitcher , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Links for this episode Fred Neidhardt obituary Recent Advances in Microbial Control Science hero Bill Fenical Vi...

Oct 20, 20161 hr 9 min

TWiM #136: Diderms and then monoderms

Them TWiM team discusses the importance of neutrophils in microbial infections, and evidence that ancient bacteria had two cell walls. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Elio Schaechter, Michael Schmidt , and Michele Swanson . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes , Stitcher , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Links for this episode Conquering neutrophils (PLoS Path) Ancestral outer membrane in firmicutes (eLife ) Were gram positive rods the first bac...

Oct 07, 201649 min

TWiM #135: Unruly individuals and their unruly friends

Links for this episode Dysbiosis of microbiome in critical illness (mSphere) Consequences of sewage spill into aquatic environment (App Env Mic) EPA recreational water guidelines (pdf) VRE following sewage spill (Outbreak Radio) FAQ: Human microbiome American gut project British gut project Rob Knight on human microbiome (TED) Rob Knight on TWiM Image credit TWiM 135 Letters This episode is brought to you by CuriosityStream, a subscription streaming service that offers over 1,400 documentaries a...

Sep 23, 20161 hr 7 min

TWiM #134: Lipids that live forever

Design of a synchronously lysing bacterium for delivery of anti-tumor molecules in mice, and hopanoids, the lipids that live forever, brought to you by the four Microbies of TWiM. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Elio Schaechter, Michael Schmidt , and Michele Swanson . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes , Stitcher , RSS , or by email. You can also listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app . Links for this episode Bacterial lysis for in vivo delivery (Nature) Coley’s toxins (Iowa Orthop J...

Sep 08, 20161 hr 4 min
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