This Week in Microbiology

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

Nitrogen Fixation Goes Eukaryotic 07/31/2026

Nitrogen Fixation Goes Eukaryotic TWiM explains major implications of the link between plastic pollution and antimicrobial resistance, and the discovery of a new organelle, the nitrogen-fixing nitroplast. Hosts: , , and Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode (Appl Envir Micro) The great Pacific (YouTube) (Nat Biotech) in marine alga (Science) (YouTube) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/42282000

359: Kin Killing and Metal Hunger 07/18/2026

359: Kin Killing and Metal Hunger TWiM explains how cannibalism shapes biofilm structure and composition in Bacillus subtilis, and the importance of manganese uptake in uropathogenic E. coli during urinary tract infection. Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: shapes biofilm structure (mBio) and uropathogenic E. coli (mBio) Regulation of Bacterial (NLM Bookshelf) 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/42135080

358: Gut Microbes and ALS 07/04/2026

358: Gut Microbes and ALS TWiM explains the connection between inflammation caused by microbial glycogen in the gut and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and how disruption of cysteine metabolism leads to synthetic lethality and in vivo fitness impairment in Acinetobacter baumannii. Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: Myeloid cell gene prevents i (Cell Rep) in Acinetobacter baumannii (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/41963405

357: Remembering Elio at Tufts 06/15/2026

357: Remembering Elio at Tufts TWiM visits Tufts University School of Medcine and are joined by John Coffin, Michael Malamy, and Verna Manni for a tribute to Elio Schaechter who was chair of Molecular Biology and Microbiology for 23 years. Hosts: , , , and Guests: , , and Subscribe to TWiM (free) on , , , or by Become a ! Music used on TWiM is by . Send your microbiology questions and comments to twim@microbe.tv /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/41653730

TWiM 356: Nanopore to the bone 05/28/2026

TWiM 356: Nanopore to the bone TWiM explains how Streptococcus mitis bacteriocins drive contact-dependent lysis of S. pneumoniae facilitating transformation, and microbial dominance in diabetic foot osteomyelitis determined with nanopore sequencing. Hosts: , , and Subscribe to TWiM (free) on , , , or by Links for this episode Streptococcus mitis bacteriocins of S. pneumoniae (mBio) Microbial dominance in diabetic foot osteomyelitis (J Inf Dis) review (World J Clin Cases) How works (YouTube) Become a ! Music used on TWiM is by . Send your microbiology questions and comments to twim@microbe.tv /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/41459935

355: Bacteria Complete Your tRNA 05/09/2026

355: Bacteria Complete Your tRNA TWiM explains how an enhanced domestication method allows for growth of uncultured bacteria, and identification of the oncogene SLC35F2 as is a high-specificity transporter for the micronutrients queuine and queuosine. Hosts: , , and . Guest: Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode (ISME Comm) Transporter for the (PNAS) How can impact your health (UF blog) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/41231955

354: How a Gut Microbe Worsens Heart Disease 04/24/2026

354: How a Gut Microbe Worsens Heart Disease TWiM explains a candidate signature of health in the gut microbial community, and how an intestinal bacterium exacerbates cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury. Hosts: , , and . Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode A (Cell Host Microbe) 204,938 (Nat Biotech) A spanning 41 countries (Nat Micro) A comprehensive (Gigascience) injury (Cell Host Microbe) The Great (NY Times, paywall) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/40997995

353: Microbial Metabolism of Food Allergens 04/11/2026

353: Microbial Metabolism of Food Allergens TWiM explains how to use microbes to enhance maize yield and reduce corn rootworm damage, and how the human microbiota modulates IgE-mediated reactions to foods through allergen metabolism. Hosts: , , and . Guest: Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode Harnessing (Phytobiome J) Microbes take on (Science) (Cell Host Microbe) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/40809290

352: Microbial Gut Biosensors 03/28/2026

352: Microbial Gut Biosensors TWiM reveals the archaeal roots of eukaryotic life, and a building a gut malabsorption biosensor with bacteria. Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode The (PNAS) Building a (Cell) Engineering with microbes (Nature) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/40649615

351: Resistance Reboot 03/06/2026

351: Resistance Reboot TWiM discusses the use of bacteriophage-loaded microneedle patches for targeted and minimally disruptive foodborne pathogen decontamination, and a conjugal gene drive-like system that efficiently suppresses antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: patches for food (Sci Adv) to suppress antibiotic resistance (npj antimicrob and resistance) CRISPR (Syntego) Bier 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/40347610

350: TWiM Goes to College 02/14/2026

350: TWiM Goes to College Nancy and Maggie join TWiM to share how and why they created a freely available ebook of TWiM-based science literacy resources and classroom exercises that support teaching across key microbiology and molecular biology topics. Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: and resources in microbiology (Iowa State U) for undergraduate microbiology (ASM) 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/40108675

349: Punctured to Death by Spikes 02/01/2026

349: Punctured to Death by Spikes TWiM explains how mechano-bactericidal surfaces made from diverse materials and patterned with spikes kill bacteria on contact, and virus-host evolution is reshaped by microgravity aboard the International Space Station. Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: Surfaces (Adv Sci) pathogens (ASM) Natural bactericidal surfaces (Small) Virus-host evolution in (PLoS Biol) 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/39954195

348: The Bark Side of the Microbiome 01/21/2026

348: The Bark Side of the Microbiome TWiM explains the finding that owning a dog during adolescence alters the microbiota and improves mental health, and the molecular basis for multidrug efflux by an anaerobic-associated resistance-nodulation-cell division transporter. Hosts: , , and . Become a of TWiM. Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by and used with permission. Links for this episode Dog ownership and (iScience) (Nat Comm) Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/39817875

347: At Wound’s Edge 01/05/2026

347: At Wound’s Edge TWiM explains how S. aureus pathogenicity is a dynamic, niche-specific choreography that constantly recalibrates in response to the host microenvironment, and short chain fatty acids produced by commensal microbiota reduces its competitive fitness. Hosts: , and . Guest: Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: Niche-specific fitness of S. aureus at the (Nat Comm) Commensal derived attenuate S. aureus (mBio) Ditch the term (Nature) 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/39609330

346: Metabolism and Porin Permeability 12/13/2025

346: Metabolism and Porin Permeability TWiM explains how competition for nutrients anticipates and potentially mitigate drug side effects on the gut microbiota, and metabolic control of porin permeability influences antibiotic resistance. Hosts: , and Guest: Become a of TWiM. Links for this episode: Nutrient competition predicts (Cell) Metabolic control of influences antibiotic resistance in E coli (Nat 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/39391275

345: Faster Than Rocks! 11/22/2025

345: Faster Than Rocks! TWiM explains a biological mechanism that links sulfur and iron cycling in anoxic environments, and “swashing,” a form of surface movement in which bacteria migrate without active propulsion. Hosts: , , and Guest: Subscribe to TWiM (free) on , , or by Links for this episode Sulfur and iron cycling in (Nature) Bacterial surface migration by (J Bacteriol) Become a ! Music used on TWiM is by . Send your microbiology questions and comments to twim@microbe.tv /episode/index/show/twimshow/id/39132445

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

This Week in Microbiology

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