Microbe Talk

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss microbiology in the news over the last month. This episode, Laura and Matt discuss how microbiologists are working to improve the pneumococcus vaccine, the new species of fungus discovered through the power of social media and how microbes could be used to reduce coral bleaching.

Links to the news stories discussed during this episode can be found below:

Coral bleaching: scientists 'find way to make coral more heat-resistant': www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-austral…63C&at_campaign=64

Pollution affects underground microbial communities: phys.org/news/2020-05-human-d…ent-underground.html

How to improve the pneumococcus vaccine: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0519090310.htm

New species of fungus discovered through Twitter: www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/art…ed-TWITTER.html

Bumble bee disease, reproduction shaped by flowering strip plants: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0511154852.htm

Immunity to coronaviruses: what do we know so far?: microbiologysociety.org/news/press-re…w-so-far.html (Read the full review in the Journal of General Virology: www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jo…v.0.001439)

As part of our 'A Sustainable Future' policy project, the Microbiology Society's policy team have produced three special episodes of Microbe Talk to explore the role of microbiology to address some of the world’s biggest challenges. This episode, Hannah speaks with Dr Ellie Harrison, Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield and Luke Hillary, PhD student at Bangor University to find out about how their research into soil health contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Visit the 'A Sustainable Future' project webpage and find out more about how microbiology can be used to improve soil health.

As you may know, 2020 is the Microbiology Society’s 75th anniversary. In order to properly commemorate this, we wanted to do some suitably big celebrations. On this month’s Microbe Talk, Matt talks through one of the celebratory project, ‘Showcasing why Microbiology Matters’, with Dr Chloe James, Chair of the Communications Committee.

As COVID-19 is taking over the news elsewhere, we decided to focus on other stories from the microbial world, including developing a vaccine for malaria, breakthroughs in protist genomics and using bacteria to help plants grow in salty soil.
Links to the news stories discussed during this episode can be found below:

Research reveals a new malaria vaccine candidate: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0422132930.htm

Recently-discovered bacteria could be used as a biopesticide: phys.org/news/2020-04-bioinse…ented-bacterium.html

Scientists use bacteria to help plants grow in salty soil: www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/20…b-sub042320.php

Devloping genetic tools to understand protist DNA: www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/04/ne…pic-marine-life

The effect of urbanisation on infectious disease outbreaks: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0421112557.htm

How do Streptomyces attract insects?: www.newscientist.com/article/223985…invertebrates/

Laura speaks with Alice Fraser from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Alice is part of a research team looking for new antibiotics in unexpected places. Listen to the episode to find out about her research searching for antibiotic proteins in snake venoms and find out what Alice has found so far.
Music: Jason Shaw CC.BY 3.0

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss microbiology in the news over the last month. As COVID-19 is taking over the news elsewhere, we decided to focus on other stories from the microbial world, including the microbiome of turtles, how bacteria are being used to clean groundwater and a new way to tackle Candida auris. Links to the news stories discussed during this episode can be found below:

Bacteria capable of breaking down hard-to-recycle plastics: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8157161/Polyurethane-eating-microbe-answer-plastic-pollution.html

Improving cleanup of contaminated groundwater: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200325212201.htm

Fighting cancer with fungi: https://www.genengnews.com/topics/bioprocessing/fighting-cancer-with-fungi/

Scientists find new compound that kills Candida auris: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200325154054.htm

What can be learned from the microbes on a turtle’s shell?: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200326144423.htm

Hantavirus – no need to worry: https://www.newsweek.com/hantavirus-death-china-coronavirus-outbreak-1494099

This month on Microbe Talk, Laura speaks with Haoxiang Wu, PhD student at Hong Kong Baptist University. In some tropical climates, mould growth is managed by near-constant use of dehumidifiers or air conditioners, which has a great environmental impact. Haoxiang’s research involves using fluid dynamics to control indoor mould growth in a sustainable way.
Read the following articles to find out more about Haoxiang’s research:
Environmental sustainability and mould hygiene in buildings, International Journal of Environmental and Public Health
Current challenges for shaping the sustainable and mould-free hygienic indoor environment in humid regions, Letters in Applied Microbiology
The role of oxidative stress in the growth of the indoor mould Cladosporium cladosporioides under water dynamics, Indoor air

You can get in touch with Haoxiang at [email protected]

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss microbiology in the news over the last month. As well as discussing microbiology news stories, which include protecting coral reefs from climate change, new antibiotics and radiation-eating fungi; this month Laura and Matt give an update on the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

Links to the news stories discussed during this episode can be found below:

Scientists find huge bacteriophage: www.futurity.org/phages-microbiomes-2283062/
Invasive ants found to contain seasonal viruses: phys.org/news/2020-02-invasiv…easonal-viruses.html
Fungi that ‘eats’ radiation: www.express.co.uk/news/science/123…ar-reactor-fungi
Researchers decode how malaria parasite reproduces: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0211121500.htm
New group of antibiotics that fight bacteria in a unique way: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0212131523.htm
How do algal communities within corals help them tolerate stress?: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/…0212150129.htm
Coronavirus outbreak: Expert comment from our members: microbiologysociety.org/news/society-…-members.html

Protists are an extremely important part of many ecosystems, but people don't often consider their significance and the biodiversity they represent. In this episode of the podcast, Laura speaks with Professor Genoveva Esteban who is based at Bournemouth University, UK. Genoveva's research focuses on the biodiversity of aquatic systems in the UK, particularly at a microbial level.

MicroNews is the sister series of our podcast Microbe Talk, where we discuss microbiology in the news over the last month. As well as discussing microbiology news stories, which include chronic wasting disease, 3D printing and ancient fungi; this month Matt and Laura give a timeline of Coronavirus.
Links to the news stories discussed during this episode can be found below:
World’s oldest fungi found in fossils on.natgeo.com/36LLh1W
University of Sheffield scientists develop 3D parts that can fight bacteria bit.ly/2OdrYbs
First CWD-positive wild deer found in Marathon County bit.ly/3b1rgYu
Bacteria might get autoimmune diseases too bit.ly/37LLLq7
Coronavirus outbreak: expert comment from our members bit.ly/2RMYd3H