Microbe Talk

Some fungal infections, like athletes' foot or thrush, are relatively common and are usually not serious. But in those with underlying conditions or compromised immune systems, fungal infections can be deadly.In recent weeks, the World Health Organisation has warned of the serious threat that fungi pose to humans with a new report and list of priority fungal pathogens. In this episode of Microbe Talk, Charlotte takes a look inside the creeping threat of fungal infections with guests Prof Kevin Kavanagh and Prof Neil Gow.

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Charlotte talks to Dr Ian Brown about what makes this year’s bird flu outbreak bigger and more worrisome than before.Music:Maarten Schellekens – Sweet Dreams – Middle-East Remix (freemusicarchive.org)

In this episode of Microbe Talk Charlie talks to Dr Fiona Walsh about her team's research into how widespread plasmids carrying antimicrobial resistance genes are around the world, and what we can do about it.Music:Leatherbound by Blue Dot Sessions(www.sessions.blue)

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Charlie talks to Dr Jonathan Cox about his team's newly published research on a surprising use for Manuka honey. Music: Leatherbound by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

In this episode Charlie and Charlotte talk to Professor Nicola Stonehouse, Professor in Molecular Virology at the University of Leeds, about why we're talking about polio again, and what we need to know about it.Music: Mango Breeze - Allison & VexentoVideo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hzcHUK4WaASupport by RFM - NCM: https://youtu.be/xMUOdsywWcs

In this episode, Charlie talks to Jonathon Woods, a PhD student from Northumbria University about his research into the impact of meat alternative foods on the gut microbiome.True Blue Sky by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

Listen to part two of our new episode of ‘Microbe Talk’, where we chat to some of our early career members about the cracks that exist in academia, and what needs to be done to safeguard the future of the microbiology research and innovation workforce.

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Katie and Eva from our Policy and Engagement team chatted with early career microbiologists Colman O’Cathail, Raphael Galleh, Natalie Ring McBrien and Helen Brown about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their research and career progression.

Teaching and outreach in championing and advancing the understanding of microbiology is incredibly important. On this month's episode, I'm talking to Eliza Wolfson and Lizah van de Aart, two former microbiologists turned scientific illustrators and artists, about their work creating scientific art, and how scientific art can be used for scientific engagement.https://ko-fi.com/intothemicroverse/https://lizahvanderaart.com/https://lizawolfson.co.uk/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lizah/resist-now-volume-1/description

On this month's MicrobeTalk, Matt takes a look back at Annual Conference; talking to delegates and staff of the Society about our first in-person conference since 2019.

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Charlie takes us on a behind the scenes tour of the Microbiology Society's Annual Conference preparations and talks to some staff members about this year's event. 

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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 seasonAlgae proteins partially restore man's sight Bacteria used to clean diesel-polluted soil in Greenland

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)

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.

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)