This Week in Microbiology

This Week in Microbiology is a podcast about unseen life on Earth.

344: Ant Yogurt and Fine Chocolate 11/08/2025

344: Ant Yogurt and Fine Chocolate TWiM reveals the bacteria, acids, and enzymes behind yogurt made with ants, and a defined set of microbes that reproduces attributes of fine flavor chocolate fermentation Hosts: , , and Guest: Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: Making yogurt (iScience) How to make (MasterClass) Defined microbes for (Nat Micro) of fine flavour (Nat Micro) Blind taste (YouTube) Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Send your microbiology questions and comments to twim@microbe.tv /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/38959110

343: Nucleotides to the Defense 10/25/2025

343: Nucleotides to the Defense TWiM explores two different ways that bacteria defend against phages through the synthesis of cyclic nucleotides. Hosts: and Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: Decoy cyclic nucleotides in (Nature) CRISPR defense with (Nature) A decoy defence molecule to set (Nature) Cyclic oligonucleotide-based antiphage signaling system immunity (Curr Opin Immunol) Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Send your microbiology questions and comments to twim@microbe.tv /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/38776910

342: The Microbiome, Pancreatic Cancer, and Sleep Quality 10/11/2025

342: The Microbiome, Pancreatic Cancer, and Sleep Quality TWiM explains studies that show that the oral bacterial and fungal microbiome are risk factors for pancreatic cancer, and the gut microbiome and pyruvate metabolism of older adults are a link between sleep quality and frailty. Hosts: , , and . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on , , , , or by Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode risk (JAMA Oncol) 2025 (ACS) The Good, The Bad, and The Unknown (Front Cell Infect Micro) (Microorg) , and frailty (Cell Rep) (pdf) (pdf) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/38547760

341: Sea Star Wasting Disease 09/27/2025

341: Sea Star Wasting Disease TWiM reveals a Vibrio as the causative agent of sea star wasting disease, and using microcolony-seq to uncover phenotypic inheritance from single cells. Hosts: and Guest: Mark O. Martin Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: Agent of (Nat Ecol Evol) Sea star wasting (Nat Ecol Evol) Phenotypic inheritance from (Cell) Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Send your microbiology questions and comments to twim@microbe.tv /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/38375600

340: Microbes in Trees and Plants 09/12/2025

340: Microbes in Trees and Plants TWiM explores the varied and distinct microbiome of trees, and an array of biopesticidal metabolites against mosquito larvae isolated from a Mediterranean island. Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: Microbiome of (Nature) from a Mediterranean island (Appl Environ Micro) Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Send your microbiology questions and comments to twim@microbe.tv /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/38205320

339: Missing the Company of Elio 08/29/2025

339: Missing the Company of Elio TWiM pays tribute to Elio Schaechter, former TWiM host, blogger, and microbiologist extraordinaire, then reviews the finding that Archaea produce peptidoglycan hydrolases that kill bacteria - a form of competition. Hosts: , , and . Guest . Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode (Wikipedia) Service (video) Archaea produce (PLoS Biol) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/38025910

338: Rewriting the Code of Life 08/16/2025

338: Rewriting the Code of Life TWiM discusses outbreak of Legionnaires disease in Harlem NY, an automated whole genome sequencing platform for bacterial strain typing in clinical microbiology laboratories, building E. coli with a 57-codon genetic code. Links for this episode outbreak in NY (NY Health) Automated for clinical labs (J Clin Micro) for outbreaks (J Clin Micro) code of life (NYTimes) E. coli with a (Science) E. coli with one stop codon () Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/37844340

337: Lifestyles of the Plasmids 07/31/2025

337: Lifestyles of the Plasmids TWiM explains a study that examines pathogen presence in ancient humans and concludes that zoonoses emerged 6500 years ago with the domestication of livestock, and determination of universal rules that govern plasmid copy number. Hosts: , , , and Guests: Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: in ancient Eurasia (Nature) What once (NY Times) Rules of (Nature Comm) of plasmids (Nature Comm) Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Send your microbiology questions and comments to twim@microbe.tv /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/37583090

336: The Volatilome of Biofluids 07/19/2025

336: The Volatilome of Biofluids TWiM explores the use of gas sensors and machine learning to identify microbes and antimicrobial resistance in clinical specimens, and how a harmful algal bloom species releases thiamin antivitamins to suppress competitors. Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: Microbial and antimicrobial resistance (Cell Biomaterials) Thiamin antivitamins suppress algal (mBio) Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Send your microbiology questions and comments to twim@microbe.tv /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/37464300

335: Slip Slidin’ Away 07/04/2025

335: Slip Slidin’ Away TWiM explains two strategies for bacterial competition for resources: by laying down a slippery lipid and pushing away competitors, or by breaking open cells with a spike, liberating essential nutrients. Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: Secreting a (mBio) Lysing neighboring cells for (Science) Underwater (YouTube Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Send your microbiology questions and comments to twim@microbe.tv /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/37286875

334: Fungal Smuggle 06/20/2025

334: Fungal Smuggle TWiM describes how microbiological analysis of the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn has revealed an antimicrobial resistance reservoir and bioremediation potential, and fungicide resistance in Fusarium graminearum, the fungus recently smuggled into the US. Hosts: , , and . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on , , , , or by Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode (J. Appl. Micro) (BrooklynPaper) Fungicide (Pathogens) Couple (NBC) Fusarium and (Pathogens) (pdf) (NIH) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/37047080

333: When Mutualists Murder 06/07/2025

333: When Mutualists Murder TWiM explains how a mutualistic model bacterium can become lethal in a non-symbiotic host, and engineering a kill switch into a tuberculosis vaccine for improved safety. Hosts: , , and . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on , , , , or by Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode When a (mBio) A lasting (Nat Rev Micro) A (Nat Micro) for vaccination (Nat Micro) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/36899440

332: Fibromyalgia Pain and the Gut Microbiome 05/23/2025

332: Fibromyalgia Pain and the Gut Microbiome TWiM explains a study of the unique and extreme microbial and chemical environment on the International Space Station, and the connection between the gut microbiome and pain in fibromyalgia. Hosts: , , and . Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode (Cell) Gut microbiota and (Neuron) Gut pain eases after (Nature) and fibromyalgia pain (Ann Neurol) Altered (Pain) (Intl J Rheum Dis) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/36692520

331: Radar Love in Bacteria 04/26/2025

331: Radar Love in Bacteria TWiM describes isolation of a novel bacterial species isolated from the China Space Station, and how a chemical radar allows bacteria to detect and kill predators. Hosts: , , and Guest . Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode (Int J Syst Evol Biol) (Cell) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/36320450

330: More mouth Microbiology 04/11/2025

330: More mouth Microbiology TWiM explains how to recode E. coli so it uses only one stop codon, and an exploration of the mechanisms of bacterial adhesion within dental plaque. Hosts: , , and . Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode Engineering (Nature) (mBio) Microbial complexes in (J Clin Periodontol) (Microorg) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/36103800

329: Bacteria Hunt With Grappling Hooks 03/17/2025

329: Bacteria Hunt With Grappling Hooks TWiM explains Pasteur’s relentless hunt for microbes in the air, and how bacteria hunt for prey by ixotrophy - using grappling hooks! Hosts: , , and . Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode Pasteur’s hunt for (NYTimes) (Science) (STC) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/35737855

328: Capturing Shigella With Filopodia 02/28/2025

328: Capturing Shigella With Filopodia TWiM describes Shigella infection is facilitated by interaction of human enteric α-defensin 5 with a colonic epithelial receptor, and an amino acid change in RNA polymerase that leads to resistance to β-lactams by preventing dysregulation of amino acid and nucleotide metabolism Hosts: , , and . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on , , , , or by Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode National Black (CDC) (Nature Microbio) (Cell Rep) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/35474875

327: Freezing and Anti-Freezing With Bacteria 02/06/2025

327: Freezing and Anti-Freezing With Bacteria TWiM explains the remarkable abilities of bacterial ice nucleating proteins to promote freezing of water, and cryoprotective proteins produced by worm microbiomes that prevent freezing. Hosts: , , and . Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode Worm microbiomes produce (Sci Adv) in Antarctic fishes (Sciece) Enhancement of (PNAS) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/35182315

326: I Have One Word For You: PETase! 01/24/2025

326: I Have One Word For You: PETase! TWiM explores the discovery of microbial enzymes, PETases, that can degrade ubiquitous plastics, and how exogenous peptidoglycan is a danger signal to trigger biofilm formation. Hosts: , , . Guest . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on , , , , or by Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode Discovery of (Science) formation (Nat Micro) (Vimeo) (Immunol Rev) (Science) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/34996100

325: Microbes Making Methane 01/10/2025

325: Microbes Making Methane TWiM reveals that record high atmospheric methane growth has been driven by microbes, and the cecum as an adaptive niche for Salmonella typhi. Hosts: , and Michele Swanson. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on , , , , or by Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode Why a potent (WaPo) Microbial emissions drove (PNAS) in the cecum (mBio) (The Collector) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/34812935

324: Back To School for TWiM 12/27/2024

324: Back To School for TWiM From ASMCUE 2024, the conference on undergraduate education, TWiM speaks with Becky, Melanie, and Katriana about their careers and how they use TWiM in undergraduate microbiology education. Hosts: and Guests: , , and Subscribe to TWiM (free) on , , , , or by Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/34626710

323: Better Concrete With Microbes 12/13/2024

323: Better Concrete With Microbes TWiM describes how to make concrete more ‘green’ by using microbes, and bacterial bioluminescence as an important regulator of multitrophic interactions in the soil. Hosts: , , and and . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on , , , or by Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode Construction (Appl Env Micro) (Sci Tot Environ) (Front Struct Civil Eng) (Cell Rep) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/34425155

322: Photohydrolysis Decontamination Reduces Healthcare-associated Infections 11/22/2024

322: Photohydrolysis Decontamination Reduces Healthcare-associated Infections TWiM explains how ticagrelor alters the membrane of S. aureus and enhances the activity of vancomycin and daptomycin without eliciting cross-resistance, and the development of a novel continuous disinfectant technology that decreases healthcare-associated infections in ICUs by 70%. Hosts: , , and . Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode (mBio) Novel (Am J Inf Control) UVC-LED to (Appl Envir Micro) systems (ACS Photonics) area (CDC) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/34099416

321: The Microbes in Your Food 11/08/2024

321: The Microbes in Your Food TWiM focuses on recent foodborne outbreaks of bacterial infections, and how nanopore sequencing technology can be used to identify pathogenic microbes and antimicrobial resistance genes in food products. Hosts: , , and . Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode (CDC) d (Gates Foundation) of foods (Food Microbiol) (YouTube) (YouTube) Methods for (Appl Micro Biotech) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/33854977

320: Rockstars of USAMRIID 10/25/2024

320: Rockstars of USAMRIID TWiM travels to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases to learn how research conducted at USAMRIID leads to vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and training programs that protect both warfighters and civilians. Hosts: , and . Guests: Norman Kreiselmeir, Christopher K Coat, Keersten Ricks, and Eric Nguyen Links for this episode: (TWiV 200) Unintentional importation of (Emerg Inf Dis) Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode emissions (WaPo) Precision (Audacious Project) genes (Nat Commun) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/33618667

319: The Dark Side of the Rumen 10/11/2024

319: The Dark Side of the Rumen TWiM explains a project to engineer the cow microbiome to reduce emissions of methane, and the finding of antibiotic resistance genes in the genomes of giant viruses. Hosts: , , and . Subscribe to TWiM (free) on , , , , or by Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode emissions (WaPo) Precision (Audacious Project) genes (Nat Commun) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/33425627

318: How To Pick a Winner 09/27/2024

318: How To Pick a Winner TWiM explains how bacterial community structure can be used to predict athletic performance in racehorses, and the idea that a tiny fraction of all species forms most of Nature. Hosts: , , and . Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode (Sci Rep) by Stephen Jay Gould ? (PNAS) (PLoS Biol) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/33239172

317: Bat White-nose Syndrome 09/14/2024

317: Bat White-nose Syndrome TWiM explains unique modifications in the energy conservation pathways linked to methanogenesis in an Archaeon, and mechanisms of white nose fungal invasion of cells from the Little Brown Bat. Hosts: , , and . Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode (Nature) (Science) Adaptive (Science) (Critter Catalog) (Harpswell) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/33056012

316: Food Addiction and the Gut Microbiome 08/23/2024

316: Food Addiction and the Gut Microbiome TWiM describes experiments to explore gut microbiota signatures of vulnerability to food addiction in mice and humans, and how a phage tail-like protein suppresses competitors in populations of bacteria of plants. Hosts: , , and . Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode (Probiotics) (Gut Microbes) Blautia wexlerae ameliorates (Nat Commun) Phage tail–like (Science) ? (Front Micro) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/32719442

315: How Pseudomonas Became A Global Pathogen 08/09/2024

315: How Pseudomonas Became A Global Pathogen TWiM explores evolution and host adaptation of Pseudomonas infections of plants, and the impact of COVID-19 on ESBL-producing E. coli on urinary tract and blood infections. Hosts: and . Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode Evolution and host (Science) , infection by injection (Nat Comm) (Peer J) (Taming the Beast) (Wellcome Sanger Inst) (Antimicro Resist Inf Control) Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/32521182

This Week in Microbiology

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