This Week in Virology - podcast cover

This Week in Virology

Vincent Racaniellowww.microbe.tv
TWiV is a weekly netcast about viruses - the kind that make you sick. Brought to you by four university professors and a science writer.
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Episodes

TWiV 1327: Influenza viruses in the MIST

TWiV explains research on human influenza virus transmission that reveals heterogeneous expulsion of infectious virus into air, and how gut bacteriophages dictate inflammation heterogeneity through tuning the phage-bacteria-sphingosine-intestine axis in Crohn's disease. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Rich Condit , Brianne Barker , and Jolene Ra m sey Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Ros...

May 31, 20262 hrEp. 1327

TWiV 1326: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello comment on incidences of locally transmitted malaria in the US, mpox diagnostics, the latest developments surrounding hantavirus infections, and the Ebola outbreak in the Congo and Uganda including vaccine candidates before Dr. Griffin deep dives into the measles outbreak, recent statistics RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, the measles outbreak in Texas in 2...

May 30, 202639 minEp. 1326

TWiV 1325: Sticky flu with Hannah Rowe

Vincent travels to Oregon State University in Corvallis to meet up with Hannah Rowe to talk about her career and her work demonstrating how the interaction of influenza A virus and Streptococcus pneumonia influences transmission. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello Guest: Hannah Rowe Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) Respiratory bacteria stabilize influenza A virus (mSyste...

May 24, 202657 minEp. 1325

TWiV 1324: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello discuss withdrawal of the ACIP charter published in April 2026, the first council meeting on antibiotic resistant bacteria, the latest developments surrounding hantavirus infections, and the Ebola outbreak in the Congo and Uganda before Dr. Griffin deep dives into the measles outbreak, recent statistics RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, transmission of SARS-...

May 23, 202646 minEp. 1324

TWiV 1323: One influenza infection, two patients

TWiV explains mRNA delivery of mosaic-8 pan-sarbecovirus RBD vaccines, and how toll-like receptor 7 alters the maternal immune landscape during influenza A infection to increase maternal and fetal morbidity, Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Rich Condit , and Kathy Spindler Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) RFK Jr. driving vast inquiry into vaccines (NY Times) Indiana ...

May 17, 20261 hr 49 minEp. 1323

TWiV 1322: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin - Hantavirus special

Dr. Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello dive deep into the hantavirus outbreak, critically examining the CDC's interim guidance on exposure, contact tracing, and management, including controversial travel advice. They discuss the nature of Andes virus transmission, its zoonotic origins versus potential human adaptation, and share insights from past outbreaks and a doctor's firsthand experience on the cruise ship. Additionally, the episode provides updates on measles cases, new data on an mRNA influenza vaccine, maternal RSV vaccination for infant protection, and challenges misconceptions about COVID-19 mortality and post-exposure prophylaxis.

May 16, 202653 minEp. 1322

TWiV 1321: Phage cross talk and cross reactions

TWiV explains how cross-reactive anti-prophage antibodies and bacterial heteroresistance is implicated in phage therapeutic failure, and how phages communicate across species to shape microbial ecosystems. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Rich Condit , Brianne Barker , and Jolene Ramsey Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) Craig Venter dies (Nature) Hantavirus outbreak (...

May 10, 20261 hr 52 minEp. 1321

TWiV 1320: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello discuss the outbreak of Hantavirus on a cruise ship and its potential for person-person transmission, how cessation of funding for global health by the Trump administration has compromised American health and well being, as well as the description of paralytic poliomyelitis outbreaks in Central Africa associated with the administration of nOPV2, before Dr. Griffin deep dives into the measles outbreak, recent statistics RSV, influe...

May 09, 202644 minEp. 1320

TWiV 1319: An earful of SARS-CoV-2

TWiV explains the emergence of vaccine-derived poliovirus strains from the novel oral polio vaccine in the Central African Republic, and the infection of spiral ganglion neurons in the inner ear by SARS-CoV-2, which may explain hearing loss in humans. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , and Kathy Spindler Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) Bernard Roizman dies...

May 03, 20261 hr 44 minEp. 1319

TWiV 1318: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello note the uncertain future of the National Science Foundation amid shifting U.S. funding priorities and governance; the rise of China as a global research powerhouse; ongoing advances and controversies in vaccines shaped by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; vaccine policy battles in Florida; European approval of the moderna mCOMBRIAX, COVID-19 and influenza vaccine, the mounting evide...

May 02, 20261 hr 9 minEp. 1318

TWiV 1317: Dead shrimp walking

TWiV explains a study showing that viral DNA load in blood and saliva varied markedly with age, time of day season, sex, and depended on dozens of genetic loci, and identification of an emerging human eye disease associated with aquatic virus zoonotic infection. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (em...

Apr 26, 20261 hr 42 minEp. 1317

TWiV 1316: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello are distressed by RFK Jr's testimony in front of Congress, surges in rotavirus infections and the staggering number of people who believe in unproven claims about vaccines and science, before Dr. Griffin then deep dives into the measles outbreak, recent statistics RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, the fatal consequences of measles infection, prevalence of influ...

Apr 25, 202653 minEp. 1316

TWiV 1315: Jabs for bats

TWiV explains a study showing that the wildlife trade, including live-animal markets, is a major driver of animal-to-human pathogen transmission, and ecological vaccination, a strategy to prevent zoonotic spillover from bats. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , and Angela Mingarelli Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) Bernard Roizman passes ( Wiki...

Apr 19, 20261 hr 50 minEp. 1315

TWiV 1314: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

TWiV 1314: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin April 17, 2026 In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello are dismayed but not surprised by poll results suggesting most Americans doubt vaccine safety, that the head of the CDC and NIH delayed release of a report on the safety of the COVID-19m vaccine, how Nature works to spread disease without the help of the lab and the about face of the Trump administration to nominate a pro-vaccine candidate for CDC director, before D...

Apr 18, 202647 minEp. 1314

TWiV 1313: Maybe they're all dementia vaccines

TWiV reviews evidence that influenza standard and high-dose vaccines reduce risk of Alzheimer's dementia, and spread of deltaviruses by a viral Trojan horse mechanism. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , and Rich Condit Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) Dennis O'Callaghan passes ( Wikipedia , LSU ) Reduced dementia risk after influenza vaccine (Neurology) Del...

Apr 12, 20261 hr 56 minEp. 1313

TWiV 1312: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello are aghast at the CDC's decision to no longer test for rabies and mpox and the revised charter for its the advisory committee on immunization practices, an outbreak of E. coli illness in raw cheese, before Dr. Griffin then deep dives into the measles outbreak, recent statistics RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, clinical practice guidelines for treating COVID-19...

Apr 11, 202645 minEp. 1312

TWiV 1311: Jayhawks go viral

Vincent visits the University of Kansas and speaks with Tony Fehr, Robin Orozco, Juergen Richt and Rob Unckless about their careers and the research ongoing in their laboratories. Host: Vincent Racaniello Guests: Tony Fehr , Robin Orozco , Juergen Richt , and Rob Unckless Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV PARP14 affects replication of multiple viruses (mBio) PTPN22 allele enhances innate antiviral...

Apr 05, 20261 hr 33 minEp. 1311

TWiV 1310: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello cover if the "five-second" rule for things that fall on the floor apply to surgical equipment, an outbreak of E. coli illness caused by raw cheese before Dr. Griffin then deep dives into the measles outbreak in South Carolina and Utah, recent statistics RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, where to find PEMGARDA, strain selection for the 2026-2027 season influenza...

Apr 04, 202640 minEp. 1310

TWiV 1309: Maybe they're all cancer vaccines

TWiV explains why human papillomavirus vaccine-induced immunity can block infection, unlike all other vaccines, and how respiratory viral infections such as COVID and influenza prime accelerated lung cancer growth. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) J. Michael Bishop passes (NY Times) Vincent...

Mar 29, 20261 hr 46 minEp. 1309

TWiV 1308: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello talk about the resignation of a member of the advisory committee for immunization practices and the irony of his rationale that a judge slandered him, vaccinating dairy cattle against H5N1, illnesses resulting from drinking raw milk and the US norovirus outbreak, which is not cruise related, then Dr. Griffin deep dives into the measles outbreak in South Carolina and Utah, recent statistics RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections,...

Mar 28, 202651 minEp. 1308

TWiV 1307: My heart breaks for flu

TWiV reviews the structural basis for Rep-mediated adeno-associated virus DNA genome packaging, how influenza virus-infected myeloid cells travel to the heart and infect cardiomyocytes, leading to IFN-fueled heart damage. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Rich Condit , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) Robin Weiss passes (ICR) Judge ...

Mar 22, 20261 hr 53 minEp. 1307

TWiV 1306: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello chat about death of water fowl on Long Island, 'renaming' of the FDA adverse event monitoring system, lawsuits against RFK Jr and HHS for illegal changes in routine immunization practices, before Dr. Griffin deep dives into economic costs of not vaccinating against measles, the measles outbreak in South Carolina, Utah and ICE detention centers, recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan das...

Mar 21, 202644 minEp. 1306

TWiV 1305: Lab leak idea called on the carpet

TWiV introduces sunshine virus of carpet pythons and its effect snakes after experimental infection, and development of a new tool to distinguish between naturally ocurring outbreaks and those that arise from lab accidents. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) IgNobel Prize ceremony moved to Eu...

Mar 15, 20261 hr 48 minEp. 1305

TWiV 1304: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello discuss the global spread of the 'eradicated' poliovirus, the suggestion of RFK's autocratic ability to change vaccine policy and the 'resignation' for the second time of CBER director Vinjay Prasad, and zoonotic spillover of viruses without adaptation, before Dr. Griffin deep dives into economic costs of not vaccinating against measles, the measles outbreak in South Carolina, Utah and ICE detention centers, recent statistics RSV,...

Mar 14, 202652 minEp. 1304

TWiV 1303: Overachieving vaccines

TWiV reviews an association between shingles vaccination and slower biological aging, and how mucosal immunization in mice provides protection against disease caused by diverse viruses and bacteria. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) Shingles vaccination may slow biological aging (J Gerontol)...

Mar 08, 20261 hr 51 minEp. 1303

TWiV 1302: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello talk about the health misconceptions that RFK Jr continues to perpetuate and how to combat them, first cases of highly pathogenic influenza in the California elephant seal population before Dr. Griffin deep dives into economic costs of not vaccinating against measles, the measles outbreak in South Carolinaand Utah, ICE detention centers, lack of accurate reporting may prevent the US from losing its status as a country that elimina...

Mar 07, 202645 minEp. 1302

TWiV 1301: Lost in giant virus translation

TWiV reviews lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus seroprevalence among urban pregnant women and newborns in Philadelphia, and a functional translation initiation complex encoded in the genome of giant viruses that drives synthesis of viral structural proteins. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Rich Condit , Kathy Spindler, and Angela Mingarelli Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab ...

Mar 01, 20262 hr 5 minEp. 1301

TWiV 1300: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello discuss several states and the governor of Pennsylvania suing HHS over changes in the childhood vaccination schedule, the vaccine derived type 2 poliovirus outbreak in Pakistan and implications for the global withdrawal of the oral poliovirus vaccine, and the outbreak of Candida, then Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracke...

Feb 28, 202641 minEp. 1300

TWiV 1299: Moth balls and blood clots

TWiV explains how vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia develops from antibodies to adenovirus and somatic hypermutation, and castration by a viral protein tyrosine phosphatase that targets a host cell cycle checkpoint protein. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) US repeals environmental...

Feb 22, 20261 hr 46 minEp. 1299

TWiV 1298: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello discuss reversal of last week's no review decision on a flu mRNA vaccine by Vinjay Prasad, appointment of Jay Bhattacharya as CDC director, no experience required, and already detectable reduction in hepatitis B virus vaccination rates, then Dr. Griffin then deep dives into recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, where to find PEMGARDA, how to ac...

Feb 21, 202643 minEp. 1298
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