Matters Microbial

Today, Jessica Buchser, graduate of West Chester University and entering PhD student at Pennsylvania State University joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss being an older student, how social media and podcasts fueled her interest in the microbial sciences, and her future path as a microbiologist! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Jessica Buchser Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode The video that  Dr. Jennifer Quinn and yours truly did for Harvard University’s Microbial Science Initiative this April. A link to the Microbial Science Initiative. An overview of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Website for West Chester University’s Biology Department, where Jess Buchser just earned her undergraduate degree. The website of Dr. John Pisciotta, one of Jess Buchser’s mentors at West Chester University. The website of Dr. Manu Ramalho, one of Jess Buchser’s mentors at West Chester University (an prior podcast guest for #MattersMicrobial episode #32). The website of Dr. Seth Bordenstein, who will be Jess Bucher’s PhD advisor at Pennsylvania State University in the Fall (and also a prior podcast guest for #MattersMicrobial episode #3). An essay on the importance of mentors and mentorship in the microbial sciences. Useful resources for older and nontraditional undergraduate students in STEM fields.  Here is another essay on this topic. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Esther Angert of Cornell University joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the role her research collaborators have had studying truly gigantic bacteria, and the adaptations these enormous microbes must make to their size! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Esther Angert Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode A video describing the surface area versus volume problem in biology. A wonderful introductory essay on sizes of bacteria…both big and small. An older review article on giant bacteria. A more recent review article on giant bacteria. A video about Epulopiscium.   An essay about Epulopiscium. An overview of Epulopiscium by Dr. Angert. A recent research article on Epulopiscium from Dr. Angert’s research group. An essay about Thiomargarita namibiensis. An essay about Achromatium, another giant microbe. An essay about the current most mammoth microbe, Thiomargarita magnifica A more scientific article on Thiomargarita magnifica with Dr. Angert as co-author. Dr. Angert’s faculty and administrative website. Dr. Angert’s truly wonderful laboratory website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Jo Handelsman of the University of Wisconsin Madison and Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the work she and her research collaborators do on interactive microbial communities, using THOR (the hitchhikers of the rhizosphere) as a model system.  She will also remind us how vital soil is to our lives. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Jo Handlesman Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An article on the story of “uranium glass,” that fluoresces under ultraviolet light.  Here is another interesting article on the topic.   The website for Hartiful, who makes custom enamel pins (including some that glow in the dark, as all cool things should). Giant Microbes makes small and large plush toys of microbes and other biology related items. An overview of ice nucleation proteins.  Here is a more technical article on the topic. The story of SNOWMAX. Ice nucleation proteins and snowflakes. One of my favorite videos from my microbiology class in 2008, demonstrating ice nucleation by Pseudomonas syringae.   The website for the Tiny Earth antibiotic crowdsourcing CURE. The website for Dr. Handelsman’s book, “A World Without Soil.” An explainer of THOR, for new micronauts. A technical publication from Dr. Handelsman’s research group on THOR. An explainer of microbial “zorbs,” for new micronauts. A technical publication from Dr. Handelsman’s research group on “zorbs.” Dr. Handelsman’s page on Wikipedia. Dr. Handelsman’s faculty page. Dr. Handelsman’s research website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Geo Santiago-Martinez, Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology and Microbiology at the University of Connecticut joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the mysteries of the archaeal world, and how one group of these organisms produce methane gas as a byproduct of metabolism.  These methanogens are thus involved in climate, symbioses, biotechnology, and even astrobiology! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Geo Santiago-Martinez Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An essay about how cyanobacteria changed our very planet. A truly wonderful and highly recommended video about Leeuwenhoek and how he was the first to “see through microbial eyes.” PLEASE WATCH THIS AMAZING VIDEO!. A link to the Boerhaave Museum in Amsterdam (well worth the visit!) including how to obtain a replica of the Leeuwenhoek microscope (*I* do not have one—they are awesome!). A video overview of the archaea. A review article on the archaea. Haloquadratum walsbyi:  a square archaean. Pyrodictium abyssi:  a netlike organism. The process of methanogenesis by archaea (focused on the gut). An essay describing how methanogenic archaea may impact climate change. The famous Volta experiment! An article on Methanosarcina acetivorans, studied by Dr. Santiago-Martinez and his coworkers. A very interesting article on methanogenesis by Dr. Santiago-Martinez. A wonderful video of Dr. Santiago-Martinez and his collaborators’ research. The Archaea Power Hour website. The Cientifico Latino website, increasing diversity within STEM.  Dr. Santiago-Martinez’s faculty website. Dr. Santiago-Martinez’s laboratory website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Rachel Dutton, Science Resident at the Astera Institute in Berkeley, California, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the complex (and tasty) microbial communities responsible for cheese as a model system for microbial interactions, as well as her interesting path through science. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Rachel Dutton Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An introduction to the idea of sociomicrobiology. A more technical review of sociomicrobiology. Another more recent technical review of sociomicrobiology.  A popular introduction to the ideas behind microbiology and cheesemaking. An article about cheese microbes. An article about viewing fermented foods like cheese as a way to study microbial ecosystems. Evidence for horizontal gene transfer within cheese microbial communities. A wonderful video about cheese microbiology. A video by Dr. Dutton about her work in cheese microbiology. A more recent (2023) video from Dr. Dutton about her cheese community research. Dr. Dutton’s website on cheese microbiology. Dr. Ben Wolfe’s website on cheese microbiology. A podcast with Dr. Dutton from ASM. A popular article about Dr. Dutton’s work with cheese microbiology. Dr. Dutton’s Wikipedia page! An overview of Arcadia Science. An overview of the Astera Institute. Dr. Dutton’s site at Astera.  Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Sarah Bordenstein, Associate Research Professor of Biology & Entomology at Penn State University and Director of Discover the Microbes Within! The Wolbachia Project joins the  #QualityQuorum to tell us about the most successful pandemic on the planet, the fascinating endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia, and how she has used this fascinating system to teach young people about molecular biology, bioinformatics, and evolution. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Sarah Bordenstein Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An overview about trilobites. The story of Beecher’s Quarry. An article about the fine work of Markus Martin. The microbially influenced glass art of Jane Hartman. An overview of metagenomics as a scientific field. An article about finding antibiotic resistance genes in unexpected places. A popular article on Wolbachia by Ed Yong Another popular article on Wolbachia, describing the effects on their host. A more scientific review about Wolbachia. A quick video overview of the program that Professor Bordenstein and colleagues use to teach about Wolbachia and STEM. The “Wolbachia Project” website. The “Wolbachia Project Database” website. The Bordenstein Laboratory website. A prestigious award to Professor Bordenstein. Sarah Bordenstein’s faculty website at Penn State Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Jeri Barak of the University of Wisconsin Madison joins the #QualityQuorum to chat about how various microbes (some of which can cause disease in humans) can gain access to  plants, sometimes via group behavior.  With media coverage of Salmonella contamination in lettuce, Dr. Barak’s work is especially timely!  She will also discuss what it is like to be a plant pathologist! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Jeri Barak Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An overview of ammonite fossils. An article about the amazing glowing petunia.  And here is a second popular article on the Firefly Petunia. Finally, here is a more scientific article describing this achievement. An overview of produce contamination by Salmonella and other pathogens.   Here is another article worth your time. An overview of pathogens to be found in the environment. CDC guidelines and information about bacterial contamination of produce. An absolutely fabulous overview of some of the work done in Dr. Barak’s lab discussed during this episode.  It is a wonderful science-communication with art essay.  A must read for any interest level! A article by Dr. Barak’s group describing how a plant infection can allow human pathogens to proliferate inside of a plant.   Dr. Barak’s faculty website. Dr. Barak’s laboratory website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Vincent Young of the University of Michigan Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease Division in Ann Arbor, joins the #QualityQuorum to chat about the ecology of the human gut as it relates to a serious bacterial disease caused by Clostridiodes difficile.  He will also discuss what it is like to be a medical scientist with both MD and PhD degrees. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Vincent Young Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Backyard DNA sequencing—is this a possibility?  Here is a source of information.  And Sebastian Cocioba is a great source of information. The company Giant Microbes makes a  C. diff plush toy. An introduction to C. difficile the bacterium. An introduction to the disease caused by C. difficile. Some journal articles by Dr. Young and his colleagues and discussed in this podcast:  “Viewing Bacterial Colonization through the Lens of Systems Biology,” “Capturing the environment of the Clostridioides difficile infection cycle,” “Microbiome therapeutics for the treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection,” and “Longitudinal genomic surveillance ofcarriage and transmission of Clostridioides difficile in an intensive care unit.” Dr. Young’s colleague Dr. Madeline Barron, who writes wonderful essays about microbiology for the American Society for Microbiology. An informative interview with Dr. Young.  Here is another good interview.  A good biography of Dr. Young from ASM. Dr. Young’s faculty website. Dr. Young’s laboratory website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Ana Maria Porras of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida, joins the #QualityQuorum to chat about her work studying gut microbes and the gut, IBDs, representation, and even how fiber arts can inspire microbial wonder! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Ana Maria Porras Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode The announcement of Dr. Porras’ prestigious CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation. A basic introduction to irritable bowel syndrome. An overview of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). An article about “remodeling” of the gut epithelia during IBS. The journal article from Dr. Porras’ research group discussed in today’s podcast. A video by Dr. Porras about her research. A video by Dr. Porras about her microbial outreach using fabric arts, as well as an article on that topic. Instructions from Dr. Porras describing how to crochet a microbe of your own! Dr. Porras’ faculty website. Dr. Porras’ laboratory website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Paula Welander, Associate Professor of Environmental Earth System Science at Stanford University (and #DocMartian #4) joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the work she and her colleagues are doing probing at early life by studying lipid biosignatures that can appear in the fossil record—and the role that cholesterol and related molecules have on microbial life. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Paula Welander Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode A blog post I wrote about the truly remarkable late Dr. Abigail Salyers, who taught me the importance of being authentic as a scientist, educator, and human being. An essay about the Great Oxidation Event early in our planet’s history. Information about BIFs—banded iron formations. An overview of stromatolites, both popular and scholarly. The Gunflint stromatolites. The story of WIlliam Schopf and stromatolites. The fluid mosaic model of cell membranes. The role of cholesterol in membranes. A nice description of some of Dr. Welander’s work with hopanoids. Hopanoids in cyanobacterial membranes. An overview of biosignatures relevant to geobiology. The cell membrane and other differences of archaea. Adaptations to hyperthermophily in archaea and bacteria. The “Echoes of Life” book mentioned in the podcast. A fascinating article by Jo Handelsman and coauthors about implicit and unconscious bias in science.  Here is an update on this work, and a video presentation.   A really interesting video interview with Dr. Welander. Dr. Welander’s departmental/divisional website. Dr. Welander’s laboratory website Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Manu Ramalho of West Chester University in Pennsylvania joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the wonderful world of ants, their microbiomes, and what their intersection can teach us about our place in the natural world. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Manu Ramalho Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode I wear some microbial themed ties made by Michele Banks of Artologica.  Both Michele and Vexed Muddler understand #MicrobialArt. One of the #LuxArt sessions that I conducted at an ASMCUE session a few years ago.  Dr. Quinn and I would love to do more sessions! Pi Day is an important mathematical holiday.  Dr. Jennifer Quinn at the University of Washington – Tacoma, proud member of the Mathematics Association of America, and on Wikipedia! Albert Einstein’s birthday. The quite amusing 1950s movie about “giant ants,” titled “Them!” A review of Paul Buchner’s encyclopedic work on endosymbiosis.  Some day, I will own a copy of this book! A wonderful book describing microbial symbionts of insects, titled “Influential Passengers.” A review of insects and endosymbionts. Nutritional endosymbiosis in insects. A review of Wolbachia.  When Wolbachia creates plant hormones to provide food for its insect hosts.  The website for “Discover the Microbes Within” which is a CURE based student sourced investigation of Wolbachia in arthropods.  It was designed by Seth Bordenstein and Sarah Bordenstein. An introduction to leaf cutter ants.  Video.   An overview of the leaf cutter ant microbiome. A very relevant article coauthored by Dr. Ramalho describing the relationship between turtle ants and their microbiome. An interesting video interview with Dr. Ramalho. Dr. Ramalho’s faculty website. Dr. Ramalho’s laboratory website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Brian Stevenson of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss a twisty twirling form of life, spirochetes, ticks, and human diseases like Lyme Disease. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Brian Stevenson Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode The Latin Translator I have used (because if I am getting it tattoo’ed, I want it to be correct). The custom enamel pins of Hartiful. An overview of spirochetes in general. A review of spirochete motility. The strange world of ticks and spirochetes. A review of Lyme disease. A “House” episode involving Borrelia. A wonderful review article by Dr. Stevenson. Dr. Stevenson’s faculty website. Dr. Stevenson’s laboratory website Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Jennifer Biddle of the School of Marine Science and Policy at the University of Delaware joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss deep microbial life in marine environments (and why you should care about it), as well as her fascination with archaea! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Jennifer Biddle Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode The Tiny Earth program website, originated by Dr. Jo Handelsman. A review of the marine archaea. An article about microbial diversity in marine sediments. An article on methane and deep microbial sediments. A nice blog post about sulfur oxidizing microbes in marine sediments. Work by Dr. Biddle and colleagues on hydrogen consuming bacteria in deep sediments.   Work by Dr. Biddle and colleagues on geochemical processes promoting microbial growth in deep marine sediments..   The wonderfully strange skeleton shrimp discussed by Dr. Biddle.   A video explaining about taking a dive on the marine submersible Alvin.   Dr. Biddle’s faculty website at the University of Delaware. Dr. Biddle’s laboratory website. The forgotten woman who made microbiology possible Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Hazel Barton, Loper Endowed Professor of Geological Sciences at the University of Alabama,  joins the #QualityQuorum to tell us about her explorations of cave microbiology and the relationship between microbiology and geology! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Hazel Barton Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An introduction of the fascinating field of geomicrobiology. An recent introduction to cave microbiology. An overview of Lechuguilla Cave discussed by Dr. Barton. An overview of Carlsbad Caverns discussed by Dr. Barton. An overview of Deer Cave in Borneo discussed by Dr. Barton. An overview of Wind Cave discussed by Dr. Barton. An article from Dr. Barton’s lab describing antibiotic resistance genes among cave microbes. An article from Dr. Barton and colleagues suggesting that iron metabolism could lead to cave formation.  An article from the Barton lab describing microbial photosynthesis driven by far red light in caverns. An article from Dr. Barton and colleagues describing the very unusual low bioload/high diversity microbial communities deep within Wind Cave. Dr. Barton’s faculty page at the University of Alabama. Dr. Barton’s quite impressive website about cave microbiology. A very impressive video with Dr. Barton. A fun “Twenty Questions” video with Dr. Barton. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Franny Gilman, Principal Scientist at the Kraft-Heinz Company (and another #DocMartian who worked in my undergraduate research lab),  joins the #QualityQuorum to tell us about the path that took her from studying the cloacal microbiome of lizards to Greenland and eventually to food science! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Franny Gilman Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode The paper that first caught Dr. Gilman’s eye when I suggested she read it while in my laboratory:  “The influence of sex, handedness, and washing on the diversity of hand surface bacteria.” Another paper suggested by Dr. Gilman:  “Boomerang academics:  why we left academia for industry, but then came back.” Still another paper:  “Academia or Industry:  Where Would I Fit In?” A website for the Institute of Food Technologists, with wonderful links and information. A nonspecialist’s introduction to Aspergillus oryzae that makes koji. A review article about the koji mold, Aspergillus oryzae. A conference website devoted to the study of koji and A. oryzae. Dr. Gilman’s LinkedIn profile. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Sue Ishaq of the University of Maine joins the #QualityQuorum to tell us about the relationship between what we eat and our microbes, as well as making microbiology more inclusive to everyone. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Sue Ishaq Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An explanation of Charles Darwin’s quotation about having a bad day.  The laboratory website of Dr. Michael Baym, who sent me that quotation as a metal plate for my lab.  Much appreciated! An article about broccoli metabolism. An introductory article for the public about broccoli consumption and IBD. A 2023 article from Dr. Ishaq’s group suggesting a relationship between consuming broccoli sprouts and reduction of inflammatory bowel disease in mice. A 2023 article https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msystems.00532-23 from Dr. Ishaq’s group relating the consumption of steamed broccoli sprouts to reduction of inflammation in mice. A very readable introduction to the concept of microbiology and social equity. A link to a number of essential articles relating microbiology and social equity—microbiology should be for EVERYONE. The faculty website of Dr. Ishaq at the University of Maine. The WONDERFUL laboratory website of Dr. Ishaq. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Cameron Thrash of the University of Southern California will discuss marine microbiology, an extremely…ubiquitous…microbe (with a name every #Micronaut should know!), conducting research at sea, and his path in science. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Cameron Thrash Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is an essay describing the Great Plating Anomaly and a criticism of that approach. A wonderful video (scan forward to 27 minutes in for the relevant part) about the discovery of SAR11. An interview with Dr. Stephen Giovannoni about marine microbiology. An introductory overview of Pelagibacter ubique and a more thorough review. How the genome of Pelagibacter and other small microbes have been “darwinnowed” over time by evolution. A review article about Pelagibacter and regulation. Here and here are two examples of Dr. Thrash’s CURE approach with undergraduates. Here is Cameron Thrash’s faculty website. Here is Cameron Thrash’s really quite awesome laboratory website. For indispensable links to myriad fascinating articles about microbiology, check out Cameron Thrash on X (formerly Twitter) (@jcamthrash) and BlueSky (@jcamthrash .bsky.social) Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Dr. Danielle Campbell (and former #DocMartian!), a postdoctoral scholar of the Baldridge group at Washington University in St. Louis, will share her research into the relationship between bacteriophage and the gut microbiome…as well as chat about her path in science. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Danielle Campbell Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is a link to a wonderful review article by Dr. Campbell describing the role that the microbiome can have on viral infections. Here is a link to a a publication describing the Salyersviridae, as described by Dr. Campbell. I wrote an essay about Abigail Salyers here. Here and here can be found more biographical information about Dr. Salyer’s contribution to microbiology, and the remarkable life she led. A description of the career changing Microbial Diversity Course at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.   A link to the Baldrige Laboratory at Washington University of St. Louis, where Dr. Campbell is a postdoctoral scholar. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Julia van Kessel of Indiana University will chat with us about how groups of bacteria can sense one another and carry out behavior as a collective…including some kinds of disease! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Julia van Kessel Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An introduction to the horrific disease leprosy, caused by the quite strange organism Mycobacterium leprae. An overview of the Hansen Institute in Ethiopia. A solid overview of quorum sensing. A very interesting review article about quorum sensing. A video that two of my Bio350 Micronauts (including a former guest of our podcast, Dr. Ruth Isenberg) put together some years ago to illustrate the idea of quorum sensing. A very clear overview of quorum sensing by the highly energetic and brilliant Dr. Bonnie Bassler, one of the giants of this field. A #LuxArt show I organized a few years ago at Carleton College, where I encouraged students to create art by “painting” with luminous bacteria on Petri dishes.  It is a true merger of art and science. Using Chromobacterium to “look” for quorum sensing molecules.  I made this imperfect video to illustrate the concept. My old friend Vibrio harveyi, which Dr. van Kessel uses in her laboratory. Vibrio coralliilyticus, which causes coral diseases. If you are interested in learning about how some bacteria have what seems to be a molecular switchblade knife—the Type 6 Secretory System— to use against other bacteria or other organisms, the link above is a fine place to start.  In addition, a Bio350 student of mine made a lovely Claymation video of the process some years ago. Here is Dr. van Kessel’s faculty website at Indiana University in Bloomington. Here is the laboratory website—with excellent graphics and videos—of Dr. van Kessel’s group. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Today, the impressive Dr. Arturo Casadevall of Johns Hopkins University will joint #MattersMicrobial to discuss his path in science, how fungi need more study, that some fungi are literally cool, and others a looming threat.  Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Arturo Casadevall Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode A wonderful remembrance (by multiple authors) of Lynn Margulis, and essays by Elio Schaechter (a friend of Margulis’) and James Lake (a colleague).   The wonderful Tiny Earth program that uses a CURE type approach to allow students to search for new antibiotic producing microbes.  Also, a fine publication describing this worldwide program. An overview of the diverse and dizzying fungal world all around us. A publication describing how fungi dominated after every mass extinction. Giant fungi existed in Earth’s past. Dr. Casadevall group’s article on how fungi are cooler than the environment around them, including the “mycorefrigerator.” Evidence that high body temperatures defend against fungal disease.  Dr. Casadevall wrote an article suggesting that fungal diseases might have helped lead to the extinction of dinosaurs. Dr. Casadevall explores the possibility of fungal adaptation to higher temperatures in our warming world.   Dr. Casadevall’s essay about problems with the term “pathogen.” Drs Casadevall and Fang’s new book titled “Thinking About Science.” A short biography of Dr. Casadevall as well as his Wikipedia page. Dr. Casadevall’s faculty website Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com