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Matters Microbial

Mark O. Martin

Matters Microbial is a podcast about the wonders of microbiology, microbiologists, and microbial centrism with Dr. Mark Martin

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#137
Tuesday · 1 hr 7 min
Matters Microbial #137: The Living Skin of Our Planet
Matters Microbial #137: The Living Skin of Our Planet August 25, 2026 Today Dr. Estelle Couradeau, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University, joins the quality quorum today to discuss the role that the soil microbiome can play in terms of agriculture, moderating temperature, and protecting specific environments. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Estelle Couradeau Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode The Erskine Foundation fellowship website. An overview of Paenibacillus. An article discussing the fascinating colonial morphology often found with Paenbacillus. A blog post that demonstrates that the odd appearance of Paenibacillus can be used by other microbes for dispersal! Dr. Jo Handelsman's essential book, "A World Without Soil." A fine video describing the soil microbiome. The complexity of soil with regard to where and how microbes can live. Science journalist Carl Zimmer's indispensable essay likening the microbial ecology of lakes to the human body: "The Human Lake." An overview of dormancy in microbes. The "BonCat" (bio-orthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging) technique for detecting living microbes in a sample without cultivation. An overview of flow cytometry in microbiology. An essay suggesting that marine bacteria are involved in the production of clouds. An article about climate change and microbes. An article about cyanobacteria and "sunscreen." A review article about the "biocrust" concept. A video overview of beautiful and fascinating microbial fossils: stromatolites. A video by Dr. Couradeau describing her research. Articles by Dr. Couradeau and colleagues asking which microbes are active in soil: here, here, and here. Articles by Dr. Couradeau and colleagues asking if microbes can change the temperature of a desert: here and here. Articles by Dr. Couradeau and colleagues that explore the hidden microbiomes of Andean páramo wetlands: here and here. Dr. Couradeau's faculty website. Dr. Couradeau's research website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#136
August 11 · 1 hr 6 min
Matters Microbial #136: When Bacteria Open the Wrong Door
Matters Microbial #136: When Bacteria Open the Wrong Door August 11, 2026 Today Dr. Michael D.L. Johnson, Associate Professor of Immunobiology at the University of Arizona, joins the quality quorum today to discuss copper, microbiology, and a possible new strategy to fight bacteria that cause disease. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Michael D. L. Johnson Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode A link to Hartiful, the Etsy artist who custom creates glow in the dark (and many other kinds) pins. A link to the essential science artist Beatrice the Biologist. A link to World Microbiome Day. A link to Micropia, the microbiology museum in Amsterdam. A recent article on the growing threat of antibiotic resistance among disease causing bacteria. A video demonstrating the Kirby Bauer procedure, which shows antimicrobial effects and zones of inhibition. A link to an earlier #MattersMicrobial episode with Dr. Michael Schmidt describing copper and microbes. A review article describing the impact that copper can have on microbes. A review article on Streptococcus pneumoniae, the organism with which Dr. Johnson works. An video celebrating the role that S. pneumoniae had in determining that DNA was the genetic material prior to World War 2. An overview of siderophores that help microbes obtain needed iron. An article about redox activity and copper and microbes. The relationship between metal toxicity and antimicrobial activity. The role that copper plays in agriculture. The differences between Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. An article on efflux pumps and metal toxicity in microbes. An article describing how iron binding proteins also bind copper. An article describing how zinc interacts with microbes. A wonderful description of Dr. Johnson's "Trojan Horse" approach to battle disease causing microbes. A relevant review article by Dr. Johnson and his colleagues discussing copper and microbes. An overview of the "Hypothesis Fund," which supports unusual ideas in science. A video of Dr. Johnson describing his research. Dr. Johnson's faculty website. Dr. Johnson's research laboratory website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#135
July 30 · 1 hr 1 min
Matters Microbial #135: Biofilms in Motion—The Adorable Zorbs
Matters Microbial #135: Biofilms in Motion—The Adorable Zorbs July 30, 2026 Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Jo Handelsmann, Shruthi Magesh Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is a link to the Etsy shop where one can buy the wonderful "THIS IS WHAT A MICROBIOLOGIST LOOKS LIKE" enamel pins. Here is a link to the World Microbiome Day website. Here is a link to the interesting work of Contamination Club. The story of Alexander Fleming's famous contaminant that led to the discovery of penicillin. Here is a link to Dr. Handelsman's recent book, "A World Without Soil." Highly recommended. The website for Dr. Handelsman's wonderful "Tiny Earth" program, helping students worldwide to screen soil for antimicrobial production (and learning about microbial diversity). An overview of the microbial complexity of soil. A video overview of biofilms. A video overview of types of bacterial motility. A video overview of "gliding motility" among bacteria. Some bacteria can "hitchhike" or are carried by other bacteria, such as Paenibacillus. Learning about an odd sport involving "zorbs." An introductory essay on "zorbing" and motility. Another introductory essay on "co-zorbing," the topic of today's discussion. A description of Flavobacterium johnsoniae, which carries out "zorbing." The original article on THOR ("The Hitchhikers of the Rhizosphere") by Dr. Handelsman and colleagues. The original "zorb" paper by Dr. Handelsman and colleagues that was discussed during today's podcast. The "co-zorb" paper by Dr. Handelsman, Dr. Magesh, and colleagues that was discussed during today's podcast. A fascinating video by Dr. Handelsman and her path to becoming a microbial scientist. Highly recommended.. Dr. Handelsman's faculty website. The website for the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. Dr. Handelsman's research laboratory website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#134
July 14 · 1 hr 1 min
Matters Microbial #134: Could Alien Life Use Different Chemistry?
Matters Microbial #134: Could Alien Life Use Different Chemistry? July 14, 2026 Today Dr. Morgan Sobol, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Texas State University, joins the Quality Quorum today to discuss how microbes on early earth began interacting with elements like nitrogen, making life possible here and perhaps elsewhere in the universe! You will learn about the fundamental and amazing enzyme nitrogenase! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Morgan Sobol Download MM134 (37 MB MP3, 62 mins) Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode The website for ASM Microbe, the annual meeting of microbiologists. The "live" #MattersMicrobial session recorded at ASM Microbe, with Dr. Hannah Reich. An essential article about "A World Without Microbes." A video version of "A World Without Microbes." An introduction to microbial ecology. An overview of the enzyme that fixes carbon dioxide into organic matter, Rubisco. An overview of the enzyme that converts practically inert dinitrogen gas into bioavailable ammonia, nitrogenase. A short essay on metalloenzymes, including nitrogenase. An overview of nitrogen fixing microbes, and the strategies they use. A review editorial describing the burgeoning field of astrobiology. A link to a NASA program exploring early evolution of microbial life. An article on the microbially caused Great Oxidation Event that changed our atmosphere eons ago, making life like forms like ours possible. An article exploring the evolution of microbial nitrogen fixation. An abstract by Dr. Sobol and colleagues, discussing the evolution of nitrogen fixation in an ancient ecological context. A lovely article about the microbiology of Yellowstone National Park. Dr. Sobol's faculty website. Dr. Sobol's interesting research group website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#133
June 30 · 31 min
Matters Microbial #133: The Microbial Partnerships That Help Corals Survive
Matters Microbial #133: The Microbial Partnerships That Help Corals Survive June 29, 2026 Dr. Hannah Reich of the Department of Environmental Biology at the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss how microalgal interactions (including with bacteria) are fundamental contributors to large scale ecosystem processes including the ocean carbon pump, the duration of algal blooms, and the evolutionary success of coral reefs. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Hannah Reich Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An essay on the coral holobiont. A discussion of the phycosphere. A discussion of the rhizosphere. A review of the roles of iron in microbial biology. An overview of siderophores in the microbial world. An article about iron, the warming oceans, and coral. A VERY recent article by Dr. Reich and colleagues regarding siderophores in the coral holobiont. A very nice short video by Dr. Reich explaining her work at ESF. Dr. Reich's faculty website. Dr. Reich's fascinating laboratory group website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#132
June 17 · 1 hr 5 min
Matters Microbial #132: What 83,000 Generations of Bacteria Reveal About Evolution
Matters Microbial #132: What 83,000 Generations of Bacteria Reveal About Evolution June 17, 2026 Today Dr. Jeffrey Barrick, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor of the Department of Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology and the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University, joins the quality quorum today to discuss how microbes can be used to study evolution itself. He will also discuss the impressive and ongoing LTEE program, the experiments that originate from it, and what they tell us about evolution. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Jeffrey Barrick Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is a link to an article about the late great Abigail Salyers. Here is what I wrote about Dr. Salyers. I learned so much from her. An article about the contributions of Dr. Theodosius Dobzhansky to the study of evolution. The concept of contingency during evolution. An overview of microbial evolution. A link to "Microbes and Evolution," a book discussed during this podcast. A link to "A Primer for Experimental Evolution," a book discussed during this podcast. The concept of Growth Advantage in Stationary Phase (GASP). A video about the MEGA plate experiment by Dr. Michael Baym and colleagues. This is a "must watch." An video about Dr. Richard Lenski, originator of the LTEE. Dr. Lenski's website. The LTEE (long term evolutionary experiment) website. There is so much here to explore. An excellent introduction to the LTEE. An article about the amazing " climbing citrate mountain" innovation during LTEE described in the podcast. A video by Dr. Lenski about LTEE. A video by Dr. Barrick that is worth your time. Dr. Barrick's faculty website at Michigan State University. Dr. Barrick's research laboratory website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#131
June 3 · 1 hr 2 min
Matters Microbial #131: What Cystic Fibrosis Reveals About Hidden Microbial Lives
Matters Microbial #131: What Cystic Fibrosis Reveals About Hidden Microbial Lives June 3, 2026 Today Dr. Sam Brown, Professor of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech University, joins the quality quorum today to discuss the social lives of bacterial pathogens. He will also discuss VERY recent research from his lab group exploring the specialist/generalist problem in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and thoughts on cryptic convergent specialization! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Sam Brown Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An overview of behavioral ecology. An article describing evolutionary trade offs and game theory. A video describing Tinbergen's "Four Whys" involving behavioral ecology. A wonderful essay by Carl Zimmer relating lake ecology and microbial ecology in humans. A Pseudomonas plush toy from Giant Microbes. The Pseudomonas contaminated eyedrops story told by Dr. Brown, as summarized by the CDC. An essay about sociomicrobiology. An overview of quorum sensing. An overview of biofilms. An article describing specialization versus generalism in ecology. A description of a "confusion matrix" in data analysis. A somewhat dated overview of PCA (principle component analysis). The article about convergent cryptic specialization under discussion today on this podcast from Dr. Brown's research group (first author Mehlferber). A VERY interesting article from Dr. Brown's research team describing eco-evolutionary aspects of polymicrobial infections. Dr. Brown's faculty website. Dr. Brown's laboratory group website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#130
May 25 · 1 hr 3 min
Matters Microbial #130: The Holobiont — Animals, Microbes, and Ecology
Matters Microbial #130: The Holobiont — Animals, Microbes, and Ecology May 19, 2026 Today Dr. Kevin Kohl, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss how he and his colleagues study the interplay between animals, their resident gut microbes, and the overarching concept of the holobiont. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Kevin Kohl Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode The One Health Microbiome Center at Pennsylvania State University. A very fine essay on the holobiont concept for non-microbiologists. A general introductory overview of the holobiont concept. The holobiont concept and the coral symbiosis. A partial history of the development of the holobiont concept. Dr. Casadevall suggests that context and thus outcomes describes the term "pathogen," and a similar analysis applies to the holobiont. A very short description of the holobiont concept. Another overview of the holobiont concept in general, coauthored by Dr. Kohl. Some basic rules for thinking about the holobiont concept. A video introduction to the holobiont concept, by Dr. Seth Bordenstein. I highly recommend this essay by the science writer Carl Zimmer, "The Human Lake," to think of the connections between lake ecology and microbial interactions with humans. Another wonderful article recommended by Dr. Kohl, by Dr. Margaret McFall-Ngai and coauthors, detailing the impact microbes have on animals over evolution and development. The wood rat – creosote – microbiome connection to the holobiont concept, discussed on this podcast (coauthored by Dr. Kohl). The fascinating work by Dr. Kohl and colleagues showing the relationship between tadpole development and pond microbes discussed in this podcast. A must read article by Dr. Kohl and colleagues, "Through the microbial looking glass: our shifting understanding of the holobiont and microbes as mediators of organismal biology," illustrates the development and influence of the holobiont concept. Dr. Richard Prum's book, "Performance All the Way Down," was discussed during this podcast. There is also a video where Dr. Prum discusses the ideas in this book, describing gene regulation as a performance. Dr. Kohl's faculty website. Dr. Kohl's (very interesting) research website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#129
May 5 · 1 hr 7 min
Matters Microbial #129: Microbes Reveal How Evolution Might Replay
Matters Microbial #129: Microbes Reveal How Evolution Might Replay May 5, 2026 Today Dr. Michael Travisano, Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the College of Biological Sciences of the University of Minnesota, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss fascinating work from his lab group exploring evolutionary questions from a microbial perspective. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Michael Travisano Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is the link to the article we discussed during the podcast, authored by Dr. Travisano and Dr. Rainey. An overview of the concept of adaptive radiation. The ecological/evolutionary concept of "cheating" which applies to the mat forming bacteria discussed in this podcast. A link to an article by Dr. Jo Handelsman and colleagues about THOR, a simple microbial community that has shows great functional diversity. A wonderful essay about Dr. Rich Lenski's role in the LTEE. An essay from "Small Things Considered" describing "rewinding" evolution using microbial systems. A wonderful book by Stephen Jay Gould, "Wonderful Life" about evolution. Another book well worth your attention: "Chance and Necessity" by Jacques Monod. An article about the challenges of multicellularity in bacteria. The wonderful short video example of "snowflake yeast" evolving within days. A link to another #MattersMicrobial podcast by Dr Will Ratcliff, about "snowflake yeast." An article by Dr. Travisano and colleagues describing conflict and cooperation in microbial societies discussed on this podcast. An article by Dr. Travisano and colleagues about the evolution of "snowflake yeast," discussed on this podcast. An article by Dr. Travisano and colleagues discussing the role of other microbes in the development of multicellularity, discussed on this podcast. An article by Dr. Travisano and colleagues, on the repeatability of microbial adaptive evolution discussed on this podcast. A list of references authored by Dr. Travisano and colleagues. Dr. Travisano's faculty website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#128
April 21 · 1 hr 4 min
Matters Microbial #128: C. diff from Nursery to Nursing Home
Matters Microbial #128: C. diff from Nursery to Nursing Home April 20, 2026 Today Dr. Joseph Zackular, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss some fascinating microbiology involving the bacterium Clostridiodes difficile (also known as C. diff), which can cause disease in infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Joseph Zackular Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An essay about siderophores in bacteria. The Giant Microbes "Cdiff" toy. The website of Dr. Patrick Schloss. A link to the #MattersMicrobial podcast with Dr. Schloss. An overview of Clostridioides difficile from a patient / physician perspective. A review article of research involving Clostridioides difficile. An overview on polymicrobial diseases. A wonderful opinion piece by Dr. Arturo Casadevall regarding the term "pathogen." An overview of Enterococcus in the gut microbiome. The technology of imaging mass spectrometry. An article on Stickland fermentation of amino acids among gut bacteria. Work by Dr. Zackular and colleagues discussed in this podcast, describing how FMT can be used as a treatment. Work by Dr. Zackular and colleagues discussed in this podcast, describing how different members of the host microbiome interact, and how that relates to disease. Work by Dr. Zackular and colleagues discussed in this podcast, describing the role of amino acid metabolism to changes in microbiome structure. Work by Dr. Zackular and colleagues discussed in this podcast, describing how Enterococcus can modulate the disease causing characteristics of C. difficile. An interesting paper showing that polymicrobial effects are more common than expected. An article arguing that there is no single "healthy" microbiome. A lovely primer on this topic for most nonmicrobiologists. An overview on fecal microbiome transplants and the treatment of human disease. The website for the Center for Microbial Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. A great video by Dr. Zackular and colleagues, well worth your time. Dr. Zackular's academic website. Dr. Zackular's laboratory website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#127
April 7 · 1 hr 9 min
Matters Microbial #127: Even Your Navel Has Them — An Archaea‑Whisperer Explores
Matters Microbial #127: Even Your Navel Has Them — An Archaea‑Whisperer Explores April 7, 2026 Today Dr. Nahui Medina-Chavez, postdoctoral scholar in the Travisano laboratory at the University of Minnesota, joins the Quality Quorum to discuss her interest in the ubiquitous archaea, and her own research studying experimental evolution in extreme halophiles. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Nahui Medina-Chavez Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is an article on R2A, which is used to cultivate water associated microbes. A solid and clear article describing the "great uncultivated majority." An article describing the discovery of the archaea. An engaging video summary of the archaea. A recent article suggesting that archaea are the root and originator of eukaryotes like ourselves! An interesting video about the lokiarcheota, which contain the genetic echoes of eukaryotic life. An article about the extremely halophilic archaea. Do extreme halophiles live within salt crystals? The beautiful pink pigment, bacteriorhodopsin, associated with these archaea (despite the "bacterio" portion of the name). The LTEE experiment, describing how researchers can study evolution in the laboratory. Genomic islands in microbiology. The "Archaeal Power Hour" website. A fine video presentation by Dr. Medina-Chavez on archaea. A fine article by Dr. Medina-Chavez and her postdoctoral advisor Dr. Michael Travisano on archaeal communities. Dr. Medina-Chavez's Research Gate website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#126
March 24 · 1 hr 1 min
Matters Microbial #126: Squid Eggs Come With Antifungal Frosting
Matters Microbial #126: Squid Eggs Come With Antifungal Frosting March 24, 2026 Today Dr. Spencer Nyholm, Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut, and Director of the Professional Science Master's Program in Microbial Systems Analysis, joins the Quality Quorum to discuss his research group's work exploring how some squid have harnessed microbes to protect their eggs against pathogens! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Spencer Nyholm Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is an overview of coral reef symbioses. The website for the famed Microbial Diversity course at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole—a superb and life changing experience for any microbial scientist. An extremely fun video by Ed Yong (featuring Dr. Ned Ruby and Dr. Margaret McFall-Ngai) about the Euprymna scolopes – Vibrio fischeri symbiosis. Prior #MattersMicrobial podcasts related to Euprymna scolopes symbioses from Dr. Ruth Isenberg, Dr. Mark Mandel, and Dr. Margaret McFall-Ngai. The website for Dr. Ruby and Dr. McFall-Ngai which is so very worth your time. An overview of the power of confocal laser microscopy. The Clasi-FISH technique developed by Dr. Jessica Mark Welch (who also was on this podcast, here). The mass spectrometry approach to learning about small bioactive molecules, used by Dr. Marcy Balunas (who also was on this podcast, here). The concept of lightsheet microscopy. Dr. Nyholm discussed his article during the podcast, an overall review of the squid-Vibrio symbiosis. Dr. Nyholm discussed this article during the podcast, from his research team, describing how accessory nidemental gland microbes can protect squid eggs from fungal attack. Dr. Nyholm discussed this article during the podcast, from his research team, describing the development of the accessory nidemental gland and its microbiota. Dr. Nyholm discussed this article during the podcast, describing early work from his research team (including a former undergraduate student of mine!), exploring the microbes associated with the ANG. Concerns about fungal disease and global climate change, described by Dr. Arturo Casadevall (who was on this podcast, here). Searching for BGCs (biosynthetic gene clusters) in hopes of finding antimicrobial compounds. A link to Dr. Nyholm's faculty webpage. A link to Dr. Nyholm's laboratory group webpage. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#125
March 15 · 1 hr 10 min
Matters Microbial #125: Antibiotics, Streptomyces and Evolution
Matters Microbial #125: Antibiotics, Streptomyces and Evolution March 15, 2026 Today Professor Paul Hoskisson, Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair in Engineering Biology at the University of Strathclyde joins the Quality Quorum to discuss his research group's adventures studying how the bacterium Streptomyces develops, produces antibiotics, and evolves! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Paul Hoskisson Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is a biographical sketch of the impact of Carl Woese on microbiology. Here is a fine (if dated) video describing Woese's impact and work. It's truly wonderful to hear Woese himself discuss his work and challenges. Yours truly wrote an essay on Carl Woese and undergraduate education. An article on geosmin and actinobacteria. It may smell like soil, but it has other functions, like attracting springtails! An overview of the genus Streptomyces. A video showing the beauty of the life cycle of Streptomyces and various interactions. Linear genomes in bacteria. An overview of antibiotics. Selman Waksman and early antibiotics. And a Nobel Prize! The remarkable Julian Davies and antibiotic function. Davies' concept of small molecules with functions: the parvome. A wonderful collection of articles in honor of Julian Davies. The antibiotic resistance crisis that we all face. Rapamycin and the organism that synthesizes that compound, which is an immunosuppressant helpful in organ transplantation. The concept of Biosynthetic Gene Clusters (BGC). Rich Lenski and the LTEE program to study evolution in bacteria. A wonderful video of Dr. Lenski discussing that program. The use of "evolution in the lab" with bacteria to develop new functions and activities. Possibility of "evolution proof" antibiotics. Work discussed during this podcast from Dr. Hoskisson's laboratory group exploring experimental evolution in Streptomyces. Work discussed during this podcast from Dr. Hoskisson's laboratory group investigating the evolution of natural product synthesis. Work discussed during this podcast from Dr. Hoskisson's laboratory group investigating the known and unknown genes involved with secondary metabolite production. Dr. Hoskisson's laboratory group website. Dr. Hoskisson's faculty website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#124
February 24 · 1 hr 1 min
Matters Microbial #124: How Bacteria Die in the Microbial Marine Forest
Matters Microbial #124: How Bacteria Die in the Microbial Marine Forest February 24, 2026 Today Dr. Anne Thompson, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Portland State University, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the small but necessary microbes in our oceans. They are hugely abundant, use strategies that produce the very oxygen we breathe, and live within an unseen marine jungle! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Anne Thompson Download MM124 (37 MB MP3, 62 mins) Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is a wonderful essay about the marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus, probably the most abundant photosynthetic organism on Earth. Here is a wonderful presentation about the marine bacterium Pelagibacter, likely the most abundant organism on the planet. Here is a wonderful TED talk by the inspirational Dr. Penny Chisolm of MIT about the wonders of Prochlorococcus. PLEASE watch this wonderful video by a wonderful and inspiring scientist. A description of the Great Oxidation Event, caused by early cyanobacteria, which changed our planet. A lovely and fascinating essay about microbial numbers in the ocean and other ecosystems. A video overview of flow cytometry, which was essential to understanding the very small microbes in the ocean. A Scientific American article about the "Invisible Forest" of marine microbes, by Falkowski. A video overview of the picocyanobacteria, including Synechococcus and previously discussed Prochlorococcus. The essential work of Dr. John Waterbury of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and photosynthetic marine microbes. An overview of the predators of the marine picocyanobacteria by Dr. Thompson and collaborators. The work of Dr. Kelly Sutherland of the University of Oregon, who collaborates with Dr. Thompson. A video describing the wonderfully strange choanoflagellates, which may resemble the first multicellular organisms on our planet, discussed on the podcast. The "mucus nets" of the organisms that Dr. Thompson and collaborators study, which may prey upon picocyanobacteria. A very clear overview of the research interests of Dr. Thompson and her coworkers. A nice video by Dr. Thompson about her research. Dr. Thompson's faculty website at Portland State University. Dr. Thompson's wonderful laboratory website. The website for an upcoming book that Dr. Thompson is preparing on the microbial marine forest and its importance to life on Earth. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#123
February 6 · 1 hr 7 min
Matters Microbial #123: What Whooping Cough Can Teach US
Matters Microbial #123: What Whooping Cough Can Teach Us February 6, 2026 Today Dr. Seema Mattoo, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Purdue University, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the fascinating molecular genetics of the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which can cause the human disease whooping cough. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Seema Mattoo Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is a link to Tiffany Ard's fine science related art. CDC information regarding Whooping Cough also called pertussis. An overview of the causative agent of whooping cough, Bordetella pertussis. A video about pertussis and its symptoms and treatment. More detail about B. pertussis and close relatives. Recent outbreaks of pertussis. An overview of vaccine development and its history for B. pertussis. An article about vaccine hesitancy and the return of childhood diseases like pertussis. Information on "whole cell" versus "acellular" vaccines. An article discussed today, demonstrating that the same molecule (a fragment of bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan) can be a factor for disease in humans, and facilitate symbiotic light organ development in the Hawai'ian Bobtail Squid More information of B. pertussis' trachael cytotoxin, or TCT. An overview of bacterial effectors interacting with our physiology in general. The concept of virulence factors. IgA versus IgG responses to infections. An overview of Type III Secretion Systems. An overview of sigma factors in bacteria. ECFs as sigma factors. Partner-switching studies. Fic genes. An overview of post translational modification. An essay on Theodosius Dobzhansky and his famous maxim. Protein misfolding and disease. The role of mentorship in science. The Hypothesis Fund and its aims. An article by Dr. Mattoo and colleagues discussed today about partner switching and Type III Secretion Systems. An article by Dr. Mattoo and colleagues discussed today about Fic proteins and adenylation. An article by Dr. Mattoo and colleagues discussed today about Fic proteins, post translational modification, and Parkinson's Disease. An article by Dr. Mattoo and colleagues discussed today about AMPylation, Fic proteins, and sensing misfolding in the endoplasmic reticulum. Dr. Mattoo's faculty website. The fascinating laboratory website of Dr. Mattoo and colleagues. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#122
January 26 · 1 hr 5 min
Matters Microbial #122: Jumbo Marine Viruses and Nanoscopic Warfare
Matters Microbial #122: Jumbo Marine Viruses and Nanoscopic Warfare January 26, 2026 Today Dr. Alaina Weinheimer, Simons Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in Marine Microbial Ecology at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss new and intriguing marine viruses, including Jumbo Phages! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Alaina Weinheimer Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode A video overview of the wonderful world of bacterial viruses, or bacteriophages. A review article describing the roles that bacterial viruses can play in ecology. A description of changes in viral taxonomy, leading to the "realms" concept. An overview of "jumbo phages." Dr. Weinheimer's concept of "wumbology" from the cartoon "Spongebob Squarepants." An article describing host defenses found within bacteriophage genomes. An article by Dr. Weinheimer and colleagues describing lysogeny as a "plastic trait," and the possibility that all bacterial viruses can integrate into host genomes. The Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences website. The Bigelow Laboratory multimedia site. The webpage for the "Single Cell Genomics Center" at the Bigelow Laboratory. An article by Dr. Weinheimer and colleagues on exploring marine "jumbo phages." Marine "jumbo phages" blogpost for novice micronauts. An article about finding uridine within viral DNA genomes. Dr. Weinheimer's five minute talk about her research—highly recommended. The "Oceans on Tap" Facebook page describing marine biological research at the Bigelow Laboratory.. The Simons Foundation website (which has sadly eliminated the postdoctoral fellowship awarded to Dr. Weinheimer for her work). Dr. Weinheimer's personal website, including background and research interests. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#121
January 8 · 57 min
Matters Microbial #121: Phollowing Phage in the Gut Microbiome
Matters Microbial #121: Phollowing Phage in the Gut Microbiome January 7, 2026 Today Dr. Liz de Ora Ortiz, postdoctoral scholar in the Secor Laboratory at Montana State University, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss a fascinating new technology that allows investigators to follow bacteriophage infections in live animals. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Liz de Ora Ortiz Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode The fascinating and frustrating (for researchers like me) story of Vampirococcus. A Vampirococcus summary for new #Micronauts. An overview of Agrobacterium, a bacterium about which all micronauts should know (think about genetic engineering in agriculture!). The story of Pelagibacter, very probably the most abundant organism on Earth. The story of Akkermansia, and its impact on metabolic health and the gut microbiome. An important essay by the late Dr. Elio Schaechter regarding paradigm shifts in microbiology. Much recommended! A truly wonderful video about bacteriophages and their importance. A simple video explaining the life cycle of lytic and lysogenic bacteriophages. A video from the American Society of Microbiology linking CRISPR and bacteriophages. A review of genes "hitchhiking" in bacteriophages. An introduction to Phollow technology. An overview and discussion of the Phollow technology discussed in this podcast (paywalled). A Phollow related publication also discussed during the podcast. The Wiles laboratory, where Dr. de Ora Ortiz and colleagues developed the Phollow technology. Dr. Travis Wiles' episode of #MattersMicrobial. The Secor laboratory, where Dr. de Ora Ortiz currently works. Dr. de Ora Ortiz's LinkedIn profile. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#120
Dec 29, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Matters Microbial #120: Bacterial Interactions among Oral Microbes
Matters Microbial #120: Bacterial Interactions among Oral Microbes December 29, 2025 For Episode 120, we welcome Dr. Batbileg Bor, Associate Professor at the ADA Forsyth Institute, to the #QualityQuorum. He joins us to discuss some of the oral community's most enigmatic members: microbes that dwell on other microbes and potentially influence our own health. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Batbileg Bor Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is a fun video about #LuxArt that Dr. Jennifer Quinn and I made for Harvard University's Microbial Sciences Initiative in 2024. Here is a wonderful essay about Dr. Rita Colwell. Here is a link to her fascinating book about her life. A blog overview of the amazing Deinococcus radiodurans. A fine article about the "artwork" that Paenibacillus creates when it forms colonies. Here is the video that two of my #Bio350 #Micronauts made…a parody of Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice, Baby" but about microbiology. Here is a link to the #MattersMicrobial podcast involving the fascinating work of Dr. Jessica Mark Welch on the oral microbiome. A review article on predatory bacteria. An overview of the CPR (Candidate Phyla Radiation), both prominent and mysterious. A recent article by Dr. Bor and colleagues describing the "microbial dark matter" seemingly everwhere…even in the human mouth. An introductory profile on TM7, Saccharibacteria. A solid early review of TM7, by Dr. Bor and colleagues. Dr. Bor and colleagues' early article about TM7, discussed in today's podcast. Dr. Bor and colleagues' article describing interesting interactions between the epibiont and the basibiont, described in today's podcast. Here is a related article. An article by Dr. Bor and colleagues describing the two Type IV pili systems of Saccharibacteria. A fascinating article by Dr. Bor and colleagues describing how TM7 can modulate the responses of animals in different ways, discussed on the podcast. Dr. Bor's LinkedIn profile. Dr. Bor's faculty page at the ADA Forsyth Institute. Dr. Bor's laboratory website with fabulous images to enjoy. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#119
Dec 22, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Matters Microbial #119: Investigating Microbial "Dark Matter"
Matters Microbial #119: Investigating Microbial "Dark Matter" December 22, 2025 Today Dr. Julia Willett, Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Minnesota, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss how to investigate unknown genes found in nearly every bacterial genome. Call it Microbial Dark Matter! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Julia Willett Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Microbial "Dark Matter"—unknown genes in microbial genomes. The process of annotation. An article about the "Y-ome" or understanding "uncharacterized" genes. The smallest independently growing (and engineered) bacterium, JCVI-syn3.0. It still has many "uncharacterized" but necessary genes. An essay on Enterococcus faecalis. Diseases caused by Enterococcus. The concept of the pathobiont. Dr. Arturo Casadevall's thoughts on the term "pathogen." The use of transposon mutagenesis to create "knock outs" of bacterial genes. Array transposon mutagenesis. Here is an article coauthored by Dr. Willett on that topic. The Alpha Fold program for predicting gene function. A webinar describing "Microbial Dark Matter" by Dr. Willett. Dr. Willett's faculty website. Dr. Willett's laboratory website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com
#118
Dec 16, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Matters Microbial #118: Biofilms Everywhere!
Matters Microbial #118: Biofilms Everywhere! December 15, 2025 Today Dr. Matthew Fields, Director of the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss ubiquitous microbial biofilms. These biofilms touch so many aspects of life on Earth, ranging from human health to engineering issues! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Matthew Fields Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode The website for the American Society for Microbiology's Conference for Undergraduate Educators. Highly recommended! The must-read story of Angelina Hesse, and the first use of agar to solidify microbiological media. Here is a Kickstarter project involving promoting this important piece of microbiological history. And here is a video made by former podcast guest Dave Westenberg on the Hesse agar story. An engaging video for budding #Micronauts explaining the general concept of quorum sensing in bacteria. A video overview of biofilms on Earth. Perhaps we should call Earth "Planet Biofilm"! Here is an older review of biofilms that is very easy to read and fun to think about. Here is a newer review of the impact that biofilms can have in health, agriculture, industry, and ecology. A video interview with the late "father" of biofilm research, William J. Costerton. The concept that stromatolites are fossilized biofilms. A video describing the biofilm "life cycle." Recent developments in the details of how biofilms form. An article on biofilms and evolution of multicellularity. Previous podcast guest Dr. Vaughn Cooper's "Evolving STEM" outreach project that places biofilms front and center. The challenge of antibiotic resistance and biofilms. The website of the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University. There is so much to see here, at every level. It is a grand resource for anyone interested in biofilms. The Center for Biofilm Engineers "fact page" on biofilms. Dr. Fields' research page, where you can find information about the kinds of projects discussed today. An engaging video from Dr. Fields institution on biofilms. Dr. Fields' faculty page. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

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