Matters Microbial #122: Jumbo Marine Viruses and Nanoscopic Warfare January 26, 2026

Today Dr. Alaina Weinheimer, Simons Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in Marine Microbial Ecology at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss new and intriguing marine viruses, including Jumbo Phages!

Host: Mark O. Martin

Guest: Alaina Weinheimer

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify

Become a patron of Matters Microbial!

Links for this episode

• A video overview of the wonderful world of bacterial viruses, or bacteriophages.
• A review article describing the roles that bacterial viruses can play in ecology.
• A description of changes in viral taxonomy, leading to the "realms" concept.
• An overview of "jumbo phages."
• Dr. Weinheimer's concept of "wumbology" from the cartoon "Spongebob Squarepants."
• An article describing host defenses found within bacteriophage genomes.
• An article by Dr. Weinheimer and colleagues describing lysogeny as a "plastic trait," and the possibility that all bacterial viruses can integrate into host genomes.
• The Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences website.
• The Bigelow Laboratory multimedia site.
• The webpage for the "Single Cell Genomics Center" at the Bigelow Laboratory.
• An article by Dr. Weinheimer and colleagues on exploring marine "jumbo phages."
• Marine "jumbo phages" blogpost for novice micronauts.
• An article about finding uridine within viral DNA genomes.
• Dr. Weinheimer's five minute talk about her research—highly recommended.
• The "Oceans on Tap" Facebook page describing marine biological research at the Bigelow Laboratory..
• The Simons Foundation website (which has sadly eliminated the postdoctoral fellowship awarded to Dr. Weinheimer for her work).
• Dr. Weinheimer's personal website, including background and research interests.

Intro music is by Reber Clark

Send your questions and comments to [email protected]