Let's Talk Micro – Details, episodes & analysis

In this Micro Minutes episode, Luis breaks down classic microbiology traits that usually hold true, but not always.  From indole-negative E. coli to non-swarming Proteus and oxidase-negative Pseudomonas, this quick episode highlights real-world exceptions that can catch techs and students off guard.

Learn how to spot:

• Indole-negative E. coli (98% rule + inactive biotypes)

• Lactose-fermenting look-alikes like Citrobacter freundii

• Proteus species that don't swarm

• Pseudomonas species that test oxidase negative
  
  

A fast, practical reminder that no single biochemical test should stand alone.

Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:

• Website: letstalkmicro.com
  
  

• Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com

• Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8

Support the podcast:

• Venmo
  
  

• Buy me a Ko-fi

Welcome to the very first Micro Minutes, a new quick-hit series from Let's Talk Micro designed for students, techs, and anyone who wants fast, practical microbiology insights in under 10 minutes.

In this episode, we tackle a common misconception that microbiologists can make at the bench when interpreting a single plate: MacConkey agar.

Many assume:

"If it doesn't grow on MacConkey, it's not a gram-negative rod."
"If it does grow on MacConkey, it must be a gram-negative rod."

Both are wrong — and today we break down why.

Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:

• Website: letstalkmicro.com

• Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com

• Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8

Support the podcast:

• Venmo
  
  

• Buy me a Ko-fi

Brucella is a familiar name in the lab—but recent updates to the sentinel guidelines are reshaping how we approach this pathogen. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Laura Filkins and Dr. Paige Larkin to discuss the latest changes: updates in nomenclature, the removal of certain Brucella species from the select agent list, and the renewed emphasis on safety in the lab. We dive into taxonomy controversies, clinical features of brucellosis, and practical steps laboratorians can take to protect themselves while delivering accurate results. Whether you're a student, laboratorian, or clinician, this conversation highlights what you need to know about the evolving landscape of Brucella diagnostics and safety.

Resources from this episode:

• CDC's Brucellosis Information Page
  
  

• ASM Updates on Brucella
  
  

Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:

• Website: letstalkmicro.com
  
  

• Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com
  
  

Support the podcast:

• Venmo
  
  

• Buy me a Ko-fi

In this episode, Dr. Pei Zhou from the Duke University School of Medicine joins the podcast to talk about LPC-233. This is a compound that shows bactericidal activity against some gram-negative rods. LPC-233 is an LpxC inhibitor. What is LpxC? How does LPC-233 works? What are some challenges of developing LpxC inhibitors? Tune in to find out.

Link to article: https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.adf5668

Questions? Feedback? Send those to letstalkmicro@outlook.com

Want to support the podcast? Here's how:

Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/letstalkmicro

Buy me a Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/letstalkmicro

Originally released in 2021, in this episode I go over anaerobes. What are some examples of anaerobes? Why can't they grow aerobically ? What is a facultative anaerobe? Tune in to learn more.

In this episode I continue talking about MALDI-TOF MS. This time I go over the advantages and disadvantages. How has MALDI-TOF helped Clinical Microbiology? How does it compare to traditional identification methods and the workflow? What about disadvantages? Tune in to find out.

This episode features a collaboration with Jame and Callum from the ID:IOTS podcast. They are two infectious disease physicians that just like Let's Talk Micro, their goal is to share information and help educate the audience. We join forces to talk about the laboratory. We start by going over what a Medical laboratory Scientist does ( I talk about what I do). We also go over questions like what do we expect to see in a laboratory requisition. Do we add media based on what the source or the requisition indicates? How can we improve communication between the laboratory and providers? Tune in to find out.

ID:IOTS podcast page: https://idiotspodcasting.buzzsprout.com

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Luego de un episodio introductorio , Luis y Maridaliz regresan nuevamente con un episodio para la serie en español . En este episodio discuten medios de cultivo. Qué son los medios de cultivo? Cómo estos medios ayudan a los microorganismos? Cuáles son selectivos? Cuáles son diferenciales? Sintonizen para aprender sobre estos medios, las condiciones que los microorganismos necesitan para crecer, y más.

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Caterina Miraglia, a professor from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Dr. Miraglia published a review article about Marburg viruses in 2019, in order to educate fellow Medical Laboratory Scientists about these type of viruses. What is Marburg virus? What is Marburg virus disease? Is there any treatment or prevention? Tune in to find out.