Podcast Episodes

Fungal Smuggle

Episode 334

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 gram…

Published on 4 months, 2 weeks ago

When Mutualists Murder

Episode 333

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: Vincent Racaniello, Mi…

Published on 5 months ago

Fibromyalgia Pain and the Gut Microbiome

Episode 332

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: V…

Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago

Radar Love in Bacteria

Episode 331

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: Vincent Racaniello, Michael …

Published on 6 months, 1 week ago

More mouth Microbiology

Episode 330

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: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Petra…

Published on 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Bacteria Hunt With Grappling Hooks

Episode 329

TWiM explains Pasteur's relentless hunt for microbes in the air, and how bacteria hunt for prey by ixotrophy - using grappling hooks!

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Petra Levin and Miche…

Published on 7 months, 3 weeks ago

Capturing Shigella With Filopodia

Episode 328

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 t…

Published on 8 months, 1 week ago

Freezing and Anti-Freezing With Bacteria

Episode 327

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: Vincen…

Published on 9 months ago

I Have One Word For You: PETase!

Episode 326

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: Vincent Racani…

Published on 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Microbes Making Methane

Episode 325

TWiM reveals that record high atmospheric methane growth has been driven by microbes, and the cecum as an adaptive niche for Salmonella typhi.

Hosts: Michael Schmidt, Petra Levin and Michele Swanson.…

Published on 9 months, 4 weeks ago