TWiM #22: Microbiology 911

TWiM #22: Microbiology 911

Author: Vincent Racaniello December 14, 2011 Duration: 1:38:25

Vincent and Michael speak with Alfred Sacchetti, MD, Chief of Emergency Services at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, about microbial infections encountered in the emergency room.


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 #84: Microbiology Down Under [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:43
In Melbourne, Australia Vincent speaks with David, Melanie, and Adam about their work on group A Streptococcus, Helicobacter pylori, and infections of Koalas with Chlamydia.
TWiM #83: Illuminating tuberculosis and cryptococcosis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:09
Vincent, Michael, Elio and Michele review a new fluorogenic diagnostic test for tuberculosis bacteria, and the role of a metalloprotease in helping a fungus invade the central nervous system.
TWiM #82: Betrayal and compromise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:48
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Elio Schaechter and Michele Swanson. Vincent, Michael, Elio and Michele discuss how an endosymbiont betrays its aphid host to alert plant defenses, and a new immunosuppressive…
TWiM #81: Cold iron is the master of them all [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:23
Vincent, Michael, and Michele discuss how iron might disperse bacterial biofilms in carotid arterial plaques, and controlling Salmonella by modulating host iron homeostasis.
TWiM #80: Hurling fleas and designer chromosomes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:11
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Elio Schaechter, and Michele Swanson. Vincent, Elio, and Michele discuss how to synthesize a designer yeast chromosome, and deciphering the genetic changes path that allowed Yersinia pestis to…
TWiM #79: A community of microbiologists [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:32
Vincent, Michael, and Michele review highlights of the 2014 General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Boston, MA.
TWiM #78: A bacterium grows in Brooklyn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:57
Vincent, Elio, and Michael consider a fungal pathogen of insects that acquired a gene from its host that facilitates infection, and presence of gram-negative nosocomial pathogens on community surfaces near hospitals in B…
TWiM #77: Zombie plants and no pain, no gain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:21
Vincent, Elio, Michael, and Michelle review how a pathogen promotes plant attractiveness to insect vectors, and activation of sensory neurons that modulate pain and inflammation by bacterial infection.
TWiM #76: Genetic biopixels and a pathogenic sweet tooth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:29
Vincent, Elio, Michael, and Michelle discuss the use of bacteria to build a genetic sensor for heavy metals, and how host sugars help enteric pathogens to expand after antibiotic treatment.
TWiM #75: Pellicles on pickle jars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:51
Vincent, Elio, Michael, and Michelle discuss a symbiosis between a bacterium and fungus that increases the virulence of oral biofilms, and the assembly of amyloid fibers, which are needed for biofilm formation.