TWiM #20: Facebook for bacteria

TWiM #20: Facebook for bacteria

Author: Vincent Racaniello November 17, 2011 Duration: 1:07:51

On episode #20 of the podcast This Week in MicrobiologyVincent, Michael, and Elio follow up on the outbreaks of E. coli in Germany and cholera in Haiti, then discuss genes that confer self-identity to Proteus mirabilis.


Dive into the fascinating world of bacteria, viruses, and fungi with This Week in Microbiology. Hosted by Vincent Racaniello, a professor of microbiology & immunology, this regular audio journey explores the latest research, news, and stories from the vast universe of microbes. Each episode feels like sitting in on a lively discussion among experts and colleagues, where complex topics are broken down with clarity and enthusiasm. The conversations are informal and engaging, designed to be understood by anyone with curiosity, whether you're a professional researcher, a student, or simply someone intrigued by the invisible forces that shape our health and planet. Building on the accessible style of Racaniello's other popular science shows, this podcast demystifies the latest scientific papers, emerging infectious diseases, and the everyday roles of microorganisms in a way that is both substantive and surprisingly entertaining. You'll hear genuine dialogue, questions from listeners, and diverse perspectives that make the science feel immediate and relevant. Tune in to discover how the smallest forms of life have some of the biggest stories to tell, all through a podcast that treats microbiology not as a distant textbook subject, but as a dynamic and ever-evolving narrative happening right now, all around us.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 354

This Week in Microbiology
Podcast Episodes
TWiM #114: Milestones in Blue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:00
Vincent, Elio, and Michele meet with Harry Mobley, Mary O’Riordan, and Vince Young at the University of Michigan, during the designation of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology as a Milestones in Microbiology si…
TWiM #113: Waves of Change [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:46
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…
TWiM #112: Mushroom pickers and mushroom kickers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:42
The TWiM team wonders why definitions in biology often change, and discuss how the small molecule terrein is important for the growth of a soil fungus. Image: Lesion formation on banana surfaces infected with Aspergillus…
TWiM #111: Ancientbiotics and modernbiotics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:02
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, and Elio Schaechter. The TWiMitos discuss the reconstruction of a 1,000-year-old antimicrobial remedy, and using gallium as an antimicrobial in the battle for iron. Subscribe t…
TWiM #110: Exploring unseen life with unpronounceable words [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:45
The TWiM team focuses on the gut microbiome, from a single member, Akkermansia muciniphila, to the effect of antibiotics on its composition and colonization resistance against C. difficile. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iT…
TWiM #109: Precision killing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:52
The TWiM cohort discusses the use of antimicrobial peptides to target specific bacteria in the microbiome, and how the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia selectively kills male hosts. Links for this episode: Antimicrobial…
TWiM #108: Vaccine in the time of cholera [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:13
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Elio Schaechter and Michele Swanson. The professors of TWiM discuss a University of Wisconsin plan for rescuing biomedical research in the US, and results of a clinical trial i…
TWiM #107: The battle in your bladder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:06
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Michael Schmidt. Vincent and Michael discuss the highly diverse microbiome of uncontacted Amerindians, and how the composition of human urine plays a role in the battle for iron. Subscribe t…
TWiM #106: Lawn mower disease [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:32
Vincent and Michael speak with Katy Bosio about her research on pathogenesis, immunity, and vaccines against Franciscella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia.
TWiM #105: Real bugs with legs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:54
The TWiM team reviews the microbiological safety of herbs in the United Kingdom, and how a peptide from the milkweek bug binds the ribosome and inhibits bacterial protein synthesis. Links for this episode: Microbes in wh…