Microbe Talk

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 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.htmCaterpillar fungus on brink of extinction: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/09/caterpillar-fungus-and-european-hamster-on-brink-of-extinctionMedieval medicine remedy could provide new treatment for modern day infections: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200728113545.htmTurmeric could have antiviral properties: https://microbiologysociety.org/news/press-releases/turmeric-could-have-antiviral-properties.htmlDeep sea microbes dormant for 100 million years are hungry and ready to multiply: https://www.sciencedaily.com

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

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 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-type

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 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=64Pollution affects underground microbial communities: phys.org/news/2020-05-human-d…ent-underground.htmlHow to improve the pneumococcus vaccine: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0519090310.htmNew species of fungus discovered through Twitter: www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/art…ed-TWITTER.htmlBumble bee disease, reproduction shaped by flowering strip plants: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0511154852.htmImmunity to coronaviruses: what do we know so far?:

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.

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.

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.htmRecently-discovered bacteria could be used as a biopesticide: phys.org/news/2020-04-bioinse…ented-bacterium.htmlScientists use bacteria to help plants grow in salty soil: www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/20…b-sub042320.phpDevloping genetic tools to understand protist DNA: www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/04/ne…pic-marine-lifeThe effect of urbanisation on infectious disease outbreaks: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0421112557.htmHow do Streptomyces attract insects?: www.newscientist.com/article/223985…invertebrates/

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 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

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 HealthCurrent challenges for shaping the sustainable and mould-free hygienic indoor environment in humid regions, Letters in Applied MicrobiologyThe role of oxidative stress in the growth of the indoor mould Cladosporium cladosporioides under water dynamics, Indoor airYou can get in touch with Haoxiang at kubeng@life.hkbu.edu.hk

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.htmlFungi that ‘eats’ radiation: www.express.co.uk/news/science/123…ar-reactor-fungiResearchers decode how malaria parasite reproduces: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0211121500.htmNew group of antibiotics that fight bacteria in a unique way: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0212131523.htmHow do algal communities within corals help them tolerate stress?: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0212150129.htmCoronavi

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 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/36LLh1WUniversity of Sheffield scientists develop 3D parts that can fight bacteria bit.ly/2OdrYbsFirst CWD-positive wild deer found in Marathon County bit.ly/3b1rgYuBacteria might get autoimmune diseases too bit.ly/37LLLq7Coronavirus outbreak: expert comment from our members bit.ly/2RMYd3H

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/

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

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 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/35J9uWQAbundance of microbe diversity key to healthy coastal ecosystem https://bit.ly/2L37NvlSea ice loss linked to spread of deadly virus https://bbc.in/2DrqggZUrban 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/2rAaptANew species of ranavirus threatens frogs https://bit.ly/2ORQrmfAntibiotics price drop could reduce development of TB https://bit.ly/2qJRcG7