Microbe Talk

Last month was Women’s History Month, taking place annually throughout the month of March. It aims to highlight and reflect on the many, but often over-looked, achievements made by women throughout history – which have paved the way for the women of today. In this episode, to mark the month, we caught up with Society Champion and microbiologist, Dr Linda Oyama. Linda discusses her insights as a wo...

 Dr Claas Kirchhelle from University College Dublin will be giving the Hot Topic Lecture: "Faecal Flows – a very short history of microbiology, sewers, and Britain's rivers (ca.1850-2023)" at this years Annual Conference. Clare spoke to Claas to find out how he's feeling ahead of his lecture and to pick his brain about his intriguing research area. If you're at Annual Conference this year, you can...

In aid of The International Day of Women and Girls in Science Clare spoke to Professor Iruka Okeke and Professor Judith Armitage to discuss women in science. In this episode they discuss the importance of mentors, promotions in academia and the inequalities of maternity leave and Clare gains valuable insights from Judy and Iruka's impressive careers.  To keep up with Judy and Iruka, you can find t...

In this episode of Microbe Talk Clare is joined by Rick Mumford, Deputy Chief Scientific Advisor & Deputy Director of Science Evidence & Research at the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA). They chat about research and surveillance of foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR), delivering on the 5-year National Action Plan and look to the future of foodborne AMR.  If you’d like to read Rick’s pap...

It’s the final episode of 2023 so Clare, Katie and Adam got together to discuss their favourite Microbe Talk moments of 2023 and what they’re most looking forward to in 2024.  If you want to listen back to any of the podcast episodes mentioned in the podcast you can find these below:  The bacteriophage: is the enemy of our enemy a friend? Dr John Munnoch discusses dyslexia CRISPR - Cas9 Takes on A...

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Policy and Engagement Officer Katie chats to Dr Tina Joshi and Dr Catrin Moore, the Microbiology Society members leading on the Society’s brand new antimicrobial resistance (AMR) project, Knocking Out AMR. In this episode, Katie, Tina and Catrin talk about what the new project is, how it came to be, and how people can get involved. If you are interested in opportun...

If you are interested in opportunities for organisations to collaborate with the Microbiology Society, please email knockingoutamr@microbiologysociety.org or to register your individual interest please visit the Knocking out AMR webpage . To find out about the latest updates, follow us on Twitter @ MicrobioSoc using the hashtag #KnockingOutAMR . You can also read the latest edition of Microbiology...

In this episode of Microbe Talk, our Policy and Engagement Officer Katie chats to Sir Paul Nurse, Director of the Francis Crick Institute and former President of the Royal Society. He was awarded the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of protein molecules that control the division of cells in the cell cycle and has since received over 70 honorary degrees. In this episode,...

Each year, Dyslexia Awareness Week gives us a chance to take some time to reflect and learn about the everyday challenges people can face when they have dyslexia. In this episode, Adam, (who has dyslexia himself) speaks to Dr John Munnoch, who was diagnosed with dyslexia around the age of 8, to discuss how he has been challenged within the field of microbiology. John also explains how he has found...

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Policy and Engagement Officer Katie chats to Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott OBE, President of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) about her career so far, the importance of international collaboration in science and our recent re-association with Horizon Europe.   A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society webs...

This year the Microbiology Society is hosting FIS (the Federation of Infection Societies (FIS) conference) in partnership with HIS and BIA. FIS is all about fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, so in this episode of Microbe Talk Clare speaks to Professor Elaine Cloutman-Green , a microbiologist whose work spans clinical, lab, and patient-facing roles about the importance of collaboration ac...

For this episode of Microbe Talk, Clare is tackling the topic of AI in Microbial Genomics research. So what better time than now, to give AI a chance to generate the description? *The below description was generated by Chat GPT* In this captivating episode of Microbe Talk, your host Clare delves into the cutting-edge realm of microbial genomics and its fascinating intersection with artificial inte...

In this episode of Microbe Talk, David Walker Sunderhaulf chats with Clare about his paper "Removal of AMR plasmids using a mobile, broad host-range CRISPR-Cas9 delivery tool" published in Microbiology.  If you'd like to read David's paper, you can find it here https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.001334 . You can also follow him on twitter @davvi36.  Music: Tim...

Are you looking for a microbiology career pick me up? Well look no further! On this special episode of Microbe Talk, Clare sits down with Microbiology Society member Dr Oliver Severn to discuss his experience of working in industry. Music: pixabay 'That science ambient' by Comma Studio.

This month, inspired by a paper published in Microbial Genomics , Clare takes a deep dive into the method of wastewater monitoring. She speaks to Professor Steve Patterson and Dr Anne Leonard about how wastewater monitoring is a useful tool which helps us understand not only the spread of diseases like COVID-19, but also antimicrobial resistance. You can read Professor Patterson's paper, published...

This episode of Microbe Talk was recorded at our Annual Conference in Birmingham. For the very first time this year, we had an session entirely dedicated to science policy. In this episode, Katie and Clare chat with Dr Isobel Stanton, an invited speaker, and delegates that attended the session about how they found it and what they learned. A full transcript of this episode is available on the Micr...

In our latest podcast, Clare and Microbiology Society member Jake Robinson discuss his new book Invisible Friends, the role of popular science books and how microbes can shape our lives and the world around us. To order Jake’s Book visit pelagicpublishing.com/collections/co…42190054981803 You can also keep up to date with Jake’s work here: www.jakemrobinson.com and on Twitter @ _jake_robinson Musi...

Have you ever thought that your lab coat isn’t made for you? Has it affected how comfortable you feel in a lab? On this episode of Microbe Talk Clare speaks to Derek Miller, founder of Genius Lab Gear, about all things lab coats, from impostor syndrome to safety issues. And how he is hoping to produce a lab coat that is designed with the diversity of scientists in mind. Music: pixabay Chill Abstra...

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Policy and Engagement Officer Katie talks to Professor Martha Clokie about bacteriophages, how they can be used to treat infection and potentially even combat antimicrobial resistance.    You can read our full response to the government inquiry on the antimicrobial potential of bacteriophages, here .     A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbi...

Every year, thousands of Tasmanian devils die from contagious facial tumours. On this episode of Microbe Talk, Charlotte speaks to Dr Andy Flies from the Menzies Institute at the University of Tasmania, Australia, about a potential new vaccine approach that could save these endangered animals.    You can view the video mentioned in the episode on our Instagram @MicrobioSoc and you can read Andy an...

In this festive episode of Microbe Talk, Charlotte speaks to Dr Lorna Lancaster about the harmful and helpful microbes involved in making Christmas food. A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website. microbiologysociety.org/blog/podcast-…s-dinner.html Music: Free Music Archive 'Adeline Yeo (HP) - Tis The Season To Be Jolly'

In this special episode of Microbe Talk for Disability History Month, Charlie talks to Kirsty Jones about her experience of accessibility in labs. A full transcript of this episode is available on the Microbiology Society website. https://microbiologysociety.org/blog/podcast-disability-history-month.html  Music: Blue Dot Sessions 'The Corner Office'

Some fungal infections, like athletes' foot or thrush, are relatively common and are usually not serious. But in those with underlying conditions or compromised immune systems, fungal infections can be deadly. In recent weeks, the World Health Organisation has warned of the serious threat that fungi pose to humans with a new report and list of priority fungal pathogens. In this episode of Microbe...

In this episode of Microbe Talk, Charlotte talks to Dr Ian Brown about what makes this year’s bird flu outbreak bigger and more worrisome than before. Music: Maarten Schellekens – Sweet Dreams – Middle-East Remix (freemusicarchive.org)

In this episode of Microbe Talk Charlie talks to Dr Fiona Walsh about her team's research into how widespread plasmids carrying antimicrobial resistance genes are around the world, and what we can do about it. Music: Leatherbound by Blue Dot Sessions( www.sessions.blue )