Matters Microbial

• Matters Microbial #90: Using Soil Microbiomes in Sustainable Agriculture

  Matters Microbial #90: Using Soil Microbiomes in Sustainable Agriculture May 8, 2025 Today, Dr. Francisco Dini Andreote, Assistant Professor of Phytobiomes at Penn State, joins the #QualityQuorum to tell us about the microbiome of plants and the soil, and how understanding that relationship can improve agriculture. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Francisco Dini Andreote Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An overview of the Type 6 Secretory System of bacteria—almost like a microbial switchblade knife. A wonderful video of the T6SS made by a student in my own microbiology course some time ago. A video introduction to the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis and why you should care about it (by my PhD advisor from long ago, Dr. Sharon Long). A more comprehensive review article on the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis.  The chemical signal of geosmin, and how it might be used by other organisms. Ecological succession in the development of sauerkraut. A must read essay by Carl Zimmer likening the human body to a number of ecological niches. The developing field of agroecology.  A reminder about the “One Health” concept. Mycorrhizae and plant nutrition. Chemical communication within the soil. A fun remembrance of Norman Borlaug, who urged us to “listen” to plants. An overview of the root microbiome. The “superorganism” concept versus the “holobiome” concept.. Striga, a parasite of crop plants. Chemical communication and Striga.  An interesting and relevant publication from Dr. Dini Andreote’s research group, describing how the root microbiome could help agriculture.  Dr. Dini Andreote’s faculty website. Dr. Dini Andreote’s very wonderful research team website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to [email protected]

  --------  

  1:01:36
• Matters Microbial #89: Can AI Point Us to New Antibiotics

  Matters Microbial #89: Can AI Point Us to New Antibiotics May 1, 2025 Today, Dr. Amir Mitchell, Associate Professor of Systems Biology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss using artificial intelligence to develop new and effective antibiotics in our endless battle against drug-resistant microbes. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Amir MItchell Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An article exploring the impact of the microbiome on drug effectiveness. A blog post discussing the relationship between the gut microbiome and creosote metabolism in wood rats. An essay about the threat of antibiotic resistance. A more scholarly article on this topic. A CDC report of the rise of antibiotic resistance. A very moving TED talk on this topic. An overview of antibiotic resistance mechanisms. A video from Dr. Michael Baym’s laboratory demonstrating how rapidly antibiotic resistance can occur. An essay discussing the use of artificial intelligence in the search for new antibiotics.  An article from Dr. Mitchell’s research group discussing his approach to identity new antimicrobial compounds. Dr. Mitchell’s faculty website. Dr. Mitchell’s very interesting research team website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to [email protected]

  --------  

  1:06:47
• Matters Microbial #88: Microbial Interactions in Cystic Fibrosis

  Matters Microbial #88: Microbial Interactions in Cystic Fibrosis April 24, 2025 Today, Dr. Reed Stubbendieck, Assistant Professor of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics at Oklahoma State University joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss how microbes and the host communicate with one another in the cystic fibrosis lung. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Reed Stubbendieck Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An overview of cystic fibrosis as a disease with a genetic link. A review of the microbiome of the cystic fibrosis lung. An overview of biofilms. An interesting role for extracellular DNA itself as a “building block” of biofilms. An overview of polymicrobial communities. Life in mucus—an interesting essay. An overview of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas and the siderophore pigment pyoverdin which is not only about iron, but also bacterial conflict and cooperation.   An interesting overview of microbe-microbe interactions, often called “sociomicrobiology,” and an introductory article on this topic. A review of the nasal microbiome. The organism Rothia, understudied and of interest to Dr. Stubbendieck’s research group.  Some work from Dr. Stubbendieck’s group describing how Rothia is helpful in inhibiting some disease causing bacteria. The organism Dolosigranulum pigrum, also understudied and of interest to Dr. Stubbendieck’s research group. More work from Dr. Stubbendieck’s group with another possibly probiotic bacterium,  Dolosigranulum pigrum, that may protect against disease causing microbes.  Dr. Stubbendieck’s faculty website. Dr. Stubbendieck’s very interesting research group website.  Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to [email protected]

  --------  

  1:01:46
• Matters Microbial #87: Dietary Protein and the Microbiome

  Matters Microbial #87: Dietary Protein and the Microbiome April 17, 2025 Today, Dr. Manuel Kleiner, Associate Professor of Microbiomes and Complex Microbial Communities at North Carolina State University,  joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss how diet can influence the microbiome in fascinating ways. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Manuel Kleiner Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An overview of “pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs,” which can lead to wonderful “leaf prints.” Gnotobiotic versus “germ-free” animals. A solid review of the gut microbiome and the relationship to health. An article describing how proteins are digested by the microbiota. A description of glycan degrading enzymes and the gut microbiome. An overview of mucin. Description of metaproteomics by Dr. Kleiner. Description of metagenomics. Gut microbiota and dysbiosis. An overview of inflammatory bowel disease. An overview of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. An overview of Akkermansia muciniphila. The possibility of microbes “farming” us for mucus! The wide ranging and deeply fascinating website for Dr. Kleiner’s research group. Dr. Kleiner’s faculty website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to [email protected]

  --------  

  1:02:32
• Matters Microbial #86: Intraterrestrials — the Strangest Life on, and in, the Earth

  Matters Microbial #86: Intraterrestrials — the Strangest Life on, and in, the Earth April 10, 2025 Today, Dr. Karen Lloyd, Professor of Earth Science at the University of Southern California,  joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss her upcoming book Intraterrestrials (Princeton University Press). Dr. Lloyd will describe the 25 year journey she and her coworkers have had exploring microbial life deep underground, and even less likely places. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Karen Lloyd Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode The upcoming book, Intraterrestrials, by Dr. Lloyd. Definition of the term “intraterrestrial.” An interesting review article on intraterrestrial microbes. An video overview of extremophiles. An overview of the new field of geomicrobiology. A definition of “SLiME”s (subsurface lithoautotrophic microbial ecosystem). An article on microbial communities found deep underground. An article on “just underground” microbial communities that was just published. Remembering Dr. Katrina Edwards. Microbial communities in New Zealand hot springs. Radiolytic microbial communities. Photosynthesis by cyanobacteria via deep infrared light at hydrothermal vents (without sunlight). Microbes living under extreme acidic conditions:  the famed “snottites.” Microbes living under extreme alkaline conditions:  NPL-UPL2. How slowly can microbes divide? A fascinating video by Dr. Lloyd. Introducing Dr. Lloyd in her new position at the University of Southern California (an excellent overview of her work). Dr. Lloyd’s faculty website. Dr. Lloyd’s research group website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to [email protected]

  --------  

  1:02:38

Fler podcasts i Vetenskap

Trendiga poddar i Vetenskap

Om Matters Microbial