Clare is back with another episode of Microbe Talk and this time she’s investigating the topic of Microbial Forensics with Dr Tim Inglis from the University of Western Australia. Tim is the Editor-in-Chief of the Society’s Journal of Medical Microbiology where he published his review on the topic: ‘A systematic approach to microbial forensics’.

You can read a full transcript of this podcast on our website.

Music by Denys Kyshcuk from Pixabay.

For this episode of Microbe Talk Clare was joined by the wonderful Gwyn Dahlquist-Axe and Francesca Standeven, archaeological scientists who study AMR and ancient human oral microbiomes. They're on the podcast to discuss their review into diet, disease and antibiotic resistance from ancient human oral microbiomes published in Microbial Genomics.

You can read their review 'Inferring diet, disease and antibiotic resistance from ancient human oral microbiomes' here. 

If you'd like to keep up with Francesca and Gwyn's research their Twitter (X) handles are @GDahlquistAxe and @fstandeven193 

You can also read a full transcript of the podcast on our website.

Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

In this episode of Microbe Talk, our Policy and Engagement Officer Katie chats to Sir Paul Nurse, Director of the Francis Crick Institute and former President of the Royal Society. He was awarded the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of protein molecules that control the division of cells in the cell cycle and has since received over 70 honorary degrees. In this episode, Katie and Paul talk about the importance of collaboration and co-working in science, and discuss the UK’s recent re-association with Horizon Europe, the EU funding programme for research and innovation.

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.

You can read the official Microbiology Society response to the UK’s re-association with Horizon Europe, here.

Music: Glossy by Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Each year, Dyslexia Awareness Week gives us a chance to take some time to reflect and learn about the everyday challenges people can face when they have dyslexia. In this episode, Adam, (who has dyslexia himself) speaks to Dr John Munnoch, who was diagnosed with dyslexia around the age of 8, to discuss how he has been challenged within the field of microbiology. John also explains how he has found his own way of learning, and how he has benefitted from the support of his family, friends and colleagues throughout his career.

Music: Fairy Meeting -  Emily A. Sprague

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Policy and Engagement Officer Katie chats to Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott OBE, President of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) about her career so far, the importance of international collaboration in science and our recent re-association with Horizon Europe.  

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.

Music: Minimal Inspiring Ambient by ComaStudio from Pixabay

This year the Microbiology Society is hosting FIS (the Federation of Infection Societies (FIS) conference) in partnership with HIS and BIA. FIS is all about fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, so in this episode of Microbe Talk Clare speaks to Professor Elaine Cloutman-Green , a microbiologist whose work spans clinical, lab, and patient-facing roles about the importance of collaboration across microbiology disciplines.
If you're inspired by this conversation and want more information regarding FIS, you can find the details and information on how to register here.

To find out more about the Society's Journal of Medical Microbiology which encourages the publication of cross-disciplinary research, please visit our website for more information about the scope and submission guidelines. 

To follow Elaine, she is @girlymicro. 

Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikova from Pixabay

You can also read the transcript of the podcast here.

For this episode of Microbe Talk, Clare is tackling the topic of AI in Microbial Genomics research. So what better time than now, to give AI a chance to generate the description?

*The below description was generated by Chat GPT*

In this captivating episode of Microbe Talk, your host Clare delves into the cutting-edge realm of microbial genomics and its fascinating intersection with artificial intelligence. Joining her in this stimulating discussion are two remarkable experts, Niamh Tumelty and Andrew Page, who are at the forefront of AI-driven advancements in microbial research.

Whether you're an AI aficionado, a genomics guru, or simply curious about the future of scientific discovery, this episode promises to spark your imagination and provide unparalleled insights. Join us on this journey into the realm where technology and biology intertwine, and witness the dawn of a new era in microbial research.

Tune in to Microbe Talk and embark on an intellectual adventure that bridges the gap between AI and microbial genomics.

Further information

Music: Space Chillout by penguinmusic from Pixabay

Niamh and Andrew's guest editorial, published in Microbial Genomics can be found on the Microbiology Society Journals website here.

Niamh and Andrew's podcasts:

https://soundcloud.com/microbinfie

https://soundcloud.com/research-pages

Niamh and Andrew's Twitter accounts:

⁠twitter.com/niamhtumelty ⁠

⁠twitter.com/andrewjpage ⁠

You can read the full transcript here.

In this episode of Microbe Talk, David Walker Sunderhaulf chats with Clare about his paper "Removal of AMR plasmids using a mobile, broad host-range CRISPR-Cas9 delivery tool" published in Microbiology. 

If you'd like to read David's paper, you can find it here https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.001334. You can also follow him on twitter @davvi36. 

Music: Time Technology by Comma-Media from Pixabay

Are you looking for a microbiology career pick me up? Well look no further! On this special episode of Microbe Talk, Clare sits down with Microbiology Society member Dr Oliver Severn to discuss his experience of working in industry.

Music: pixabay 'That science ambient' by Comma Studio.

This month, inspired by a paper published in Microbial Genomics, Clare takes a deep dive into the method of wastewater monitoring. She speaks to Professor Steve Patterson and Dr Anne Leonard about how wastewater monitoring is a useful tool which helps us understand not only the spread of diseases like COVID-19, but also antimicrobial resistance.

You can read Professor Patterson's paper, published in Microbial Genomics here. https://microb.io/3or9CsS 

Music: pixabay Chill Abstract (Intention) Coma-Media

This episode of Microbe Talk was recorded at our Annual Conference in Birmingham. For the very first time this year, we had an session entirely dedicated to science policy. In this episode, Katie and Clare chat with Dr Isobel Stanton, an invited speaker, and delegates that attended the session about how they found it and what they learned.

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.

Music: Blue Dot Sessions 'Dunder'

In our latest podcast, Clare and Microbiology Society member Jake Robinson discuss his new book Invisible Friends, the role of popular science books and how microbes can shape our lives and the world around us.

To order Jake’s Book visit pelagicpublishing.com/collections/co…42190054981803

You can also keep up to date with Jake’s work here: www.jakemrobinson.com and on Twitter @_jake_robinson

Music: 'That Science Ambient' by ComaStudio on pixabay

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.

Yesterday, we released our vision statement for Knocking Out Antimicrobial Resistance, the Society's new cross-disciplinary project. It outlined the key issues faced by the AMR community: the lack of understanding of the urgency of the crisis, a fragmented AMR landscape and a broken innovation pipeline

So for this special Knocking Out AMR episode of Microbe Talk Clare spoke to Professor Paul Hoskisson to pick his brain on his latest venture: a one million pound project to use food by-products make antimicrobial production more cost effective and sustainable.

The Microbiology Society's Knocking Out AMR Vision statement can be found on our website here.

Paul's Socials:
Bluesky @paulhoskisson.bsky.social
Twitter @PaulHoskisson
Instagram @paulhoskisson

Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

You can read a full transcript of this podcast on our website. 

Have you ever thought that your lab coat isn’t made for you? Has it affected how comfortable you feel in a lab?

On this episode of Microbe Talk Clare speaks to Derek Miller, founder of Genius Lab Gear, about all things lab coats, from impostor syndrome to safety issues. And how he is hoping to produce a lab coat that is designed with the diversity of scientists in mind.

Music: pixabay Chill Abstract (Intention) Coma-Media

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Policy and Engagement Officer Katie talks to Professor Martha Clokie about bacteriophages, how they can be used to treat infection and potentially even combat antimicrobial resistance. 

 

You can read our full response to the government inquiry on the antimicrobial potential of bacteriophages, here.  

 

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.

Music: Blue Dot Sessions 'Blue Latex' 

Every year, thousands of Tasmanian devils die from contagious facial tumours. On this episode of Microbe Talk, Charlotte speaks to Dr Andy Flies from the Menzies Institute at the University of Tasmania, Australia, about a potential new vaccine approach that could save these endangered animals.
 
 You can view the video mentioned in the episode on our Instagram @MicrobioSoc and you can read Andy and his team’s publication in the Journal of General Virology at http://bit.ly/3ITxAok

Tasmanian Devil Recordings: Wild Immunity 
Music: Eggs and Powder by Blue Dot Sessions. 

In this festive episode of Microbe Talk, Charlotte speaks to Dr Lorna Lancaster about the harmful and helpful microbes involved in making Christmas food.

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.
microbiologysociety.org/blog/podcast-…s-dinner.html

Music: Free Music Archive 'Adeline Yeo (HP) - Tis The Season To Be Jolly'

In this special episode of Microbe Talk for Disability History Month, Charlie talks to Kirsty Jones about her experience of accessibility in labs.

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website.
https://microbiologysociety.org/blog/podcast-disability-history-month.html 

Music: Blue Dot Sessions 'The Corner Office'

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 & Vexento
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hzcHUK4WaA
Support by RFM - NCM: https://youtu.be/xMUOdsywWcs

Last month was Women’s History Month, taking place annually throughout the month of March. It aims to highlight and reflect on the many, but often over-looked, achievements made by women throughout history – which have paved the way for the women of today. In this episode, to mark the month, we caught up with Society Champion and microbiologist, Dr Linda Oyama. Linda discusses her insights as a woman in science, by diving into some of her experiences, as well as her passion for outreach with young girls.

 

To keep up with Linda, you can find her on X @LindaOyama.

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).

 Dr Claas Kirchhelle from University College Dublin will be giving the Hot Topic Lecture: "Faecal Flows – a very short history of microbiology, sewers, and Britain's rivers (ca.1850-2023)" at this years Annual Conference. Clare spoke to Claas to find out how he's feeling ahead of his lecture and to pick his brain about his intriguing research area.

If you're at Annual Conference this year, you can catch Claas' Hot topic Lecture at 8:45 on Thursday 11 April. Alternatively, Claas' lecture will be available online after Annual Conference.

Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

You can download a full transcript of the podcast here.

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 season

Algae 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)

Join Matt and Laura for this special episode of the podcast where they reflect on what took place during the Microbiology Society's Annual Conference Online 2021.

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 discuss how microbes helped centipedes evolve venom, a new automated technique that could help name new microbes and why deep-sea bacteria are completely invisible to our immune system.

www.livescience.com/deep-sea-bacteria-invisible-to-human-immune-system.html
www.the-scientist.com/notebook/researchers-propose-automating-the-naming-of-novel-microbes--68411
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/microplastics-in-sewage-become-hubs-for-drug-resistant-bacteria-study/article34176654.ece
theconversation.com/diphtheria-could-become-a-problem-again-thanks-to-new-variants-and-antimicrobial-resistance-156973
en.brinkwire.com/science/centipedes-incorporated-the-toxic-weapons-of-bacteria-and-fungi-into-their-venoms/
www.washingtonpost.com/health/most-viruses-around-us-are-benign-some-are-even-lifesaving/2021/03/12/cd833cc0-76bc-11eb-948d-19472e683521_story.html

There is probably more misinformation about vaccines on the internet than any other topic. As we are the largest learned microbiological society in the UK, we decided to do something about it. We asked three experts some of the most commonly googled questions about vaccines. Check out the video on our YouTube channel to see some of the most searched vaccine questions answered: youtu.be/gIfOVlJDCpE

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 role of lizards in controlling Lyme disease, the fungus causing an amphibian apocalypse and how microbes could be used for green building materials.

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 microbes beetles use to hide their food, sea star wasting disease and the inherited microbiome of plants.

We know almost nothing about giant viruses: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/01/giant-viruses-can-change-their-hosts-dna/617555/

Some bacteria are suffocating sea stars, turning the animals to goo: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bacteria-suffocating-sea-stars-wasting-disease-goo

Beetle parents manipulate information broadcast from bacteria in a rotting corpse: https://theconversation.com/beetle-parents-manipulate-information-broadcast-from-bacteria-in-a-rotting-corpse-151447

Brazilian ant farm yields new antifungal compound: https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2021/01/20/Brazilian-ant-farm-yields-new-antifungal-compound/1471611120400/?ur3=1

Seeds transfer their microbes to the next generation: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210121131652.htm

A Sustainable Future policy reports: https://microbiologysociety.org/news/society-news/a-sustainable-future-policy-reports-published-today.html

In aid of The International Day of Women and Girls in Science Clare spoke to Professor Iruka Okeke and Professor Judith Armitage to discuss women in science. In this episode they discuss the importance of mentors, promotions in academia and the inequalities of maternity leave and Clare gains valuable insights from Judy and Iruka's impressive careers. 

To keep up with Judy and Iruka, you can find them on X @Armitage_Judy and @iruka_okeke.

Follow this link to read Judy's Microbial Primer.

Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay. 

In the first episode of 2021, Matt talks to Sreyashi Basu who with her collaborator Sanjib Bhakta, was awarded the Outreach prize for their Joi Hok! initiative. The project uses traditional art forms and music to communicate knowledge of tuberculosis to school children in India.

To find out more about Joi Hok:
Joi Hok YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6UR4H9DuDeRzqRPEUZc2pA/featured
Joi Hok Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joihokTBcampaign/
Joi Hok Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joi.hok/?hl=en
Sreyashi Basu Twitter - https://twitter.com/sreyashibasu2?lang=en
www.joihok.org/about/

In this episode of the podcast, Laura speaks with Dr Rod Dillon, Senior Lecturer at the University of Lancaster. Rod talks about his research into the protist parasite Leishmania, and how he has combined his microbiology expertise with art to communicate science in a different way.
Rod recently received a grant from the Microbiology Society this, together with an Arts Council England grant, was used to develop and produce The Endosymbiotic Love Calendar 2021.

The calendar is on sale now on the Endosymbiotic Love Calendar website. This project brings performance artists & microbiologists together through drag to embody a microorganism for every month of 2021 and links the vitally important world of microbiological research with feminist and queer perspectives to share biological knowledge in an innovative way. Prices include postage: £15 UK mainland (£12 concession price, no question asked), £19 Europe, £20 rest of the world. 50% of the price will be donated to The Outside Project the UK’s first LGBTIQ+ Crisis/Homeless Shelter and Community Centre.

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 microbes in your bed, the researchers using pig lungs to learn about cystic fibrosis and the antibiotic that could be used to treat Zika. 

Bed dust microorganisms may boost children's health, study suggests

Understanding lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis

Check out the research article in Microbiology and our video about the pig lung research model. 

Commonly used antibiotic shows promise for combating Zika infections

COVID-19 vaccines: when will one be ready?

Potential treatment against antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing gonorrhoea and meningitis

Asteroid-munching microbes could mine materials from space rocks

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 microbiologists are tackling the amount of plastic waste used in laboratories, ash dieback and a COVID-19 story that Matt just couldn’t resist talking about.

This month's stories:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201016164320.htm
https://microbiologysociety.org/news/press-releases/does-science-have-a-plastic-problem-microbiologists-take-steps-to-reducing-plastic-waste.html
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/oct/14/tardigrades-latest-superpower-a-fluorescent-protective-shield
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54373214
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/25/any-breed-could-do-it-dogs-might-be-covid-testers-best-friend