Matters Microbial

We exist in a sea of microbes, it is true. We only need to look. And Dr. Elinne Becket of California State University  San Marcos, joins Mark to describe some of the work she and her undergraduate colleagues are doing. And a popular hashtag on social media: #BlueSoup.  Welcome to our quality quorum, Elinne! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Elinne Becket Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An essay on gooseneck flasks, Louis Pasteur, and

It is true that microbes are everywhere, and have impacts and applications that are often unexpected. Today, a true microbial force of nature visits Matters Microbial: Dr. Irene Newton of the Biology Department of the University of Indiana. Irene will tell us about some of her laboratory group’s recent research on how microbes interact with honeybees! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Irene Newton Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode A review of

It’s interesting to think about the microbes in and on us—some of which are vital to our well being—and how we came to possess them. Mark introduces Dr. Anne Estes of Towson University, who will discuss this very topic as it applies to dung beetles. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Anne Estes Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Microbial fossils—stromatolites—are fascinating.  A description of Gunflint stromatolites can be found here.

Everyone thinks microbes are very small, and most of them are. But how to see them? The microscope opened a whole new world to the observer, starting with the Dutch microbiologist Antonie van Leeuvenhoek. But photographs and peering through lenses have limitations. Mark introduces his friend and colleague, Ariane Briegel of the Institute of Biology at Leiden University to Matters Microbial. She discusses how her own work can allow us to see microbes at extremely fine detail using a technique called

Who are you? Human or a group of microbes? Mark discusses this with this with Dr. Seth Bordenstein of Penn State. Seth teaches Mark about a new word, holobiont, and the most successful pandemic in history (of invertebrates) that may help in the fight against malaria, Wolbachia! Finally, Seth discusses his team outreach efforts to teach critical thinking and STEM in students with Discover the Microbes Within. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Seth Bordenstein Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become

Mark discusses some “shock and awe” concepts about the microbial world that he introduces to his microbiology students, and asks three important questions about microbiology and microbiologists with guest Dr. Mya Breitbart of the University of South Florida. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Mya Breitbart Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server Ice nucleation information A video of ice nucleation A funny video by my

In the first episode of Matters Microbial, Mark introduces himself and his history, talks a bit about his goals for this podcast, then asks three important questions about microbiology and microbiologists with his first guest, Vincent Racaniello. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Vincent Racaniello Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server Virology blog MicrobeTV on YouTube Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to