MicrobeWorld Video (audio only)

Watch the pilot episode of BioFilms in which we explore some creepy microbes just in time for Halloween. Learn how algae can suffocate a pond of all its life, discover the vampire bacterium known as Vampirococcus who literally sucks the life out its victims, and watch out for those sweet Halloween treats that can leave holes in your teeth!

Vincent meets up with Romney and Duncan at the 79th annual meeting of the Southern California branch of the American Society for Microbiology, where they talk about emerging technologies for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and next generation sequencing and advanced molecular diagnostics.

Visit microbeworld.org/twim for complete shownotes including links mentioned.

Host: Vincent RacanielloGuest: Michele Banks

Vincent meets up with Michele Banks in Washington, DC to discuss her career as a creator of science-themed art.

Links for this episode:

Michele Banks on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/artologica

Artologicahttps://www.etsy.com/people/artologica

Michele's bloghttp://artologica.blogspot.com

The Finch and the Peahttp://thefinchandpea.com

Joseph Cornellhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Cornell

Not Exactly Rocket Science (Ed Yong)http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/blog/not-exactly-rocket-science/

Tree of Life (Jonathan Eisen)http://phylogenomics.blogspot.com

Home Microbiome Studyhttp://homemicrobiome.com

Kitten Microbiome Projecthttp://www.kittenmicrobiome.org

Science Onlinehttp://scienceonline.com

The Vexed Muddlerhttps://www.etsy.com/shop/theVexedMuddler

Luke Jerramhttp://www.lukejerram.com

A Daily Dish (Klari Reis)http://www.adailydish.com

Neuroscience art (Greg Dunn)http://www.gregadunn.com

Ai Weiweihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ai_Weiwei

Questions?

Send your virology questions and comments to [email protected]

In 2011, the NIH Clinical Center had a cluster of infections of a pathogen that tops the CDC's list of urgent threats: antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. This bacteria, which can cause bloodstream and other infections, has recently developed resistance to the class of antibiotics known as carbapenems. The outbreak at NIH started with a single infected patient who was discharged weeks before any other cases were detected. This story of antibiotic-resistant infections is becoming more common around the world, and is especially dangerous in hospitals. Dr. Julie Segre, a senior investigator at the National Human Genome Research Institute, discuses how the outbreak was traced using state-of-the-art DNA sequencing.

ASM's Cultures magazine traveled to Colombia to speak with and film the researchers behind an innovative biotechnology project that is producing exciting results. The international Swiss – Colombian collaborative research team from the University of Lausanne – Switzerland, the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, and the Universidad de la Salle – Utopia campus has been working to create and test novel strains of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to improve cassava production.

AMF forms symbiotic relationships with the majority of the world’s plant species, including cassava and other major food security crops. By colonizing internal structures within the plant and extending its root system, AMF transports nutrients such as phosphate to the plants from inaccessible areas and sources in the soil. In exchange, the plant provides carbon to AMF species that have colonized the plant.

The research team’s studies show that, with the inoculation of certain AMF strains, only half of the necessary phosphate amendments are needed in nutrient-poor tropical soil to produce an equal or greater amount of cassava yield. On a large scale, this technology could potentially provide a more sustainable approach to resource management, allow small shareholder farmers to reduce their input costs, and help create a food secure future for many. In fact, an early model for this success is already being realized by graduates of the Utopia campus, all of whom come from conflict and post-conflict zones. By utilizing their education in agronomy in conjunction with this technology, they can begin rebuilding their home communities while ensuring a food secure future for Colombia and the greater global community.

To learn more about ASM's Cultures magazine please visithttp://www.asm.org/index.php/cultures-magazine

Read the latest issue on food security on the following platforms:iTunes - iPad Onlyhttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/asm-cultures/id878473655…

Google Playhttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details…Flipbookhttp://mzines.net/publication.aspx?pid=829&pkey=grnbfxnlvPDF Versionhttp://www.mzines.net/…/ASM_Cultures_i4_141120_optimized.pdf

Don't miss an episode of MicrobeWorld Video. Subscribe for free using iTunes or help support our work by purchasing the MicrobeWorld podcast application for iPhone and Android devices in the iTunes or Android app stores.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello

Guests: Maria Julia Marinissen, Edward H. You, and David R. Howell

Vincent meets up with Maria, Edward, and David at the ASM Biodefense and Emerging Infections Research meeting to talk about alternative careers for scientists.

Links for this episode:

Don't miss an episode of MicrobeWorld Video. Subscribe for free using iTunes or help support our work by purchasing the MicrobeWorld podcast application for iPhone and Android devices in the iTunes or Android app stores.

Vincent visits the San Diego State University campus and talks with Dean of Sciences, Stanley Maloy about his career in microbiolgy and his job as Dean.

The current Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa has sickened over 14,000 people and has killed over 5,100. Health workers from around the world are attempting to halt this deadly disease. On November 19th, the American Society for Microbiology featured two of these health workers, Dr. Joseph Fair and Dr. Michael Callahan, who have extensive experience with the virus, including direct field work during the current outbreak. In this presentation they discuss the virus, the response, and potential solutions.

Vincent Racaniello and Glenn Rall meet up with Ann Skalka at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia and talk about her long and productive career in virology, from biochemistry to bacteriophage lambda to retroviruses.

Don't miss an episode of MicrobeWorld Video. Subscribe for free using iTunes or help support our work by purchasing the MicrobeWorld podcast application for iPhone and Android devices in the iTunes or Android app stores.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello

Guests: Laurene Mascola and David Persing

Vincent meets up with Laurene and David at the Annual Meeting of the Southern California Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, where they discuss how the Los Angeles County Department of Health is preparing for an outbreak of Ebola virus infection, and Cepheid’s game-changing, modular PCR system for the diagnosis of infectious diseases.