Podcasts about phage

This week we talk about Evo 2, bacteriophages, and antibiotics.We also discuss AI models, medical innovations, and the Red Army.Recommended Book: The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. NormanTranscriptA bacteriophage, sometimes just called a phage, is a type of virus that only infects bacteria. “Phage” means to devour, and that's what bacteriophages do—they infect and replicate within bacteria that they target, injecting their own genome into that target's cytoplasm, which are all the materials contained within the bacteria's cell membrane.Phages are super-abundant, by some measures more abundant than every living organism, including bacteria, on earth, combined. And they're interesting in that they range from incredibly simple to quite complex, and have at times been used as alternatives to antibiotics, because they attack and feed on bacteria.The use of phages to counter bacterial infections was all but abandoned in the mid-20th century when antibiotics were discovered and commercialized, their production industrialized and the substances themselves proving a lot easier to mass-produce, and a lot more predictable in their utility than phages. Phages were kinda sorta almost understood, but we didn't really get what they were doing or why, so their application often felt more like folk remedies than real-deal science, despite the actual science underlying the practice.Also, phages were primarily used as antibiotic treatments by the Red Army, the Soviet Union's military. So throughout the West, which was rapidly scaling its production of antibiotic treatments, the use of bacteriophages was associated with Stalinist communism, and so the Red-scare, the demonization of anything associated with the Soviet Union, was partially responsible for the shelving of this approach and this realm of research, at least for a while.Much of that existing research was also done in the Soviet Union, and the published documents were thus published in Russian or Georgian languages. And because much of the rest of the scientific publishing world was reorienting around English at this time, that meant these published works were often either ignored or unintelligible to the rest of the scientific community.As with much of our microbiota, the invisibly small viruses, bacteria, archaea, and so on that make up the human microbiome, we have a general sense of how bacteriophages interact with some of what makes us, us, but only a general sense. We know that healthy individuals tend to contain a host of bacteriophages that people who have chronic conditions, like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis are less likely to have, for instance, and there's a chance that this lack is associated with those conditions—though each person's body composition is unique, and this facet of biology is still relatively obscure; we really don't know for certain what does what, because of how complex these interactions are.What I'd like to talk about today is a recent development in the world of bacteriophages, and why the researchers behind it are both celebrating their accomplishment, and warning about potential dangers associated with the same.—Back in 2025, a nonprofit called the Arc Institute, which has a stated goal of accelerating scientific progress and understanding the root causes of complex diseases, announced the release of a new language model, a new AI system, called Evo 2.The Evo family of foundation models—a foundation model being a type of AI model that's been trained on a huge corpus of data, but which is applicable for all sorts of purposes, including serving as the foundation of large-language models like ChatGPT or Claude—this family of foundation models is open-source and trained on raw genetic sequences, something like nine trillion nucleotides-worth of such sequences, making it distinct from other models in this space that have been trained on descriptions of biological systems, using human language.The initial version of Evo was released in early 2024, and the newest version, Evo 2, which is an upgraded version of the Evo 2 model that is more efficient, so it can be run on less powerful hardware, was released in February of 2026.So while many of the AI systems that non-biologists interact with on a regular basis have been trained on human language-based libraries, showing relationships and interactions between the words we use to communicate, these models have been trained on the fundamental building blocks of life; the nucleotides, Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, and Guanine, ATCG of DNA, if you remember that from biology class, that are strung together into 64 different possible three-letter combinations. Chains of these nucleotides instruct cells to build proteins out of amino acids, and from that baseline, we get life.We also get non-living things like viruses, which have no cells, metabolism, or independent reproduction, and phages are viruses.And while other AI models have been shown to be great at designing proteins, before 2025 there was little evidence that such systems could design viable genomes: the combination of genetic information that makes up a complete, fully functional organism.That's what Arc decided to tackle with this Evo AI model. And back in 2025, Arc announced that it had successfully validated the first viable genome designs, created using generative AI.These designs were for 16 bacteriophages, which were modeled on a virus that infects E. coli bacteria, and some of them worked just as well or better at infecting E. coli when compared to the actual, real-world phage they were modeled on. They were produced in the real world, a bacteria coaxed into producing them, and then they went on to successfully gobble up the E. coli test subjects they were meant to gobble up, demonstrating that they worked in practice, not just theory.And a new paper published in early August of 2026 by the Arc Institute and Stanford University expounds upon this research, showing the results of an attempt to create entirely new viruses, not just altered existing viruses.Rather than mutating that E. coli gobbling phage, as with the last experiment, tweaking an existing virus, this time they tasked Evo 2 with modeling how that E. coli attacking and eating process works, and then told it to come up with entirely new viruses that operate on the same premise, but which are structured differently; new viruses that eat the same thing in a similar way, but which are distinct from the original model.Ultimately, it gave them 16 viable viruses of very different sizes and structure, all of which were created in a lab and successfully ate the targeted E. coli strain, as intended.This is being seen as a pretty big deal, because while creating viruses in a lab is very modern technology, and mutating those viruses shows a lot of potential for manipulating what we already know works and then tweaking virus behaviors to, perhaps, help us create new medical treatments, the ability to generate, from scratch, entirely new viruses that hold together, with genomes that don't just fall apart when they come into contact with the real world, and which can still do things, like attack bacteria—that opens a lot of new doors, potentially giving us the ability to say, okay, this bacteria is no longer responding to antibacterial drugs that we have available, so let's make a virus that will kill the bacteria instead, and let's make one that won't harm the human that's housing that bacteria.We might also be able to create phages that eat other things, or which in some other way help the human body, or other biological entities, fight off chronic conditions, or recover or rebalance; there's a lot of potential here, because this suggests AI systems trained on the right materials, on the building blocks of life, could generate all sorts of viable biological systems that we can then actually create. It's a huge step forward, compared to systems that are also impressive, but which mostly help us understand the biological world better—like Alphafold, which solved the protein folding problem.Those involved with this research have also been been flagging potential dangers with this development, though, including the potential for creating new viruses and other biological systems that could trigger unpredictable outcomes in other biological systems. There are a lot of potential hazards with this sort of research, and they've been very careful up till this point, sticking with test subjects that only target E. coli, but not everyone will necessarily be so careful, which might mean accidents, or it could mean people with less than benevolent intentions using these techniques to develop highly infectious viruses or other such pathogens; starting from smallpox to produce even more contagious and deadly ailments, for instance.The optimistic view of this research is that it could contribute to the surge in new discoveries and technologies that we're seeing around the world right now, that are resulting in new medical approaches and in some cases entirely new medical fields, which could help us do all sorts of things, including big-sky ambitions like curing cancer and doing away with chronic illnesses entirely.Like most major scientific developments, though, these are also big developments for those who might want to do harm, and it also creates new opportunities for very serious, dangerous, deadly accidents, which means we'll probably have to develop and implement more stringent safety protocols and regulatory efforts if we want to enjoy the full benefits of these innovations, without suffering significant new downsides, in the process.Show Noteshttps://press.asimov.com/articles/ai-phageshttps://arcinstitute.org/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/aug/06/safety-fears-as-scientists-make-first-viruses-designed-by-aihttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y3j3ngevmohttps://www.cnn.com/2026/08/06/health/ai-viruses-bacteriophageshttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-07/ai-models-design-viruses-not-found-in-nature-for-first-time/107007854https://www.wired.com/story/scientists-used-ai-to-create-16-new-viruses/https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aec2657https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteriophagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evo_(AI)https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/06/science/ai-viruses-bacteria-arc.html This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

TWiV explains research that reveals dual activity of a phage-encoded lysin that modulates infection dynamics in a mycobacteriophage, and refutes a proposed link between the SARS-CoV-2 furin cleavage site and mouse-adapted MERS-coronavirus MA30. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Kathy Spindler, Angela Mingarelli, and Jolene Ramsey Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) Dual activity of phage-encoded lysin (mBio) Furin cleavage site and SARS-CoV-2 origins (PNAS) Theories on SARS-CoV-2 origins (CR Biol) Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Picks of the Week Angela – Pigeons. An underappreciated animal. Superparamagnetic macrophages, cancer detectors, mirror mark test Kathy – Wednesday's APOD and Graphene Jolene – Microbial Puppet Masters science exhibit, 3D-models linked in their paper Vincent – Beyond Inheritance by Roxanne Khamsi (TWiEVO 126) Listener Pick Lana – The Episodic Table of Elements Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

THE HOOKWhat if a child could be pulled back from the brink of death by a cell that never existed in nature? In this episode, we explore synthetic cell engineering and custom cell printing as one colony races to save a dying boy while their world transforms around them.EPISODE OVERVIEWA devastating injury, a collapsing underground colony, and a breakthrough that could redefine biology forever collide in this chapter of In 20XX Sci-Fi and Futurism.As Kahlo, Daisuke, and Marley struggle to save Kodak's life, they receive an AI-designed blueprint for a revolutionary Cell Printer capable of building living cells from scratch.KEY TAKEAWAYSDiscover how custom-built cells could transform medicine and repair injuries beyond the limits of conventional healing. [12:40]Learn why modifying existing organisms isn't enough and why building cells from scratch may become the next biotechnology revolution. [18:15]Follow the creation of the Cell Printer, a machine designed to manufacture entirely new forms of life. [24:50]Experience the breakthrough moment when the first printed cell proves it is alive. [31:20]"It's alive." The simple words that change everything for the colony—and perhaps the future of biology. [32:05]EPISODE DETAILSDuration: Approximately 60 minutes Format: Narrative science fiction storytelling and futurism explorationNotable Segments:[05:30] Discovery of the mysterious planetary growths[18:15] The limitations of traditional genetic engineering[24:50] Construction of the Cell Printer[31:20] First successful printed cell[45:40] Cell One's advanced healing capabilitiesRESOURCES MENTIONEDSynthetic Biology — The emerging field focused on designing and building biological systems.Cell Printing Concepts — Advanced theoretical biotechnology involving molecular-scale assembly.AI-Assisted Scientific Research — The use of large-scale AI systems to accelerate scientific discovery.Pelagibacter ubique — A real-world marine bacterium used as a proof-of-concept organism in the story.CALL TO ACTIONSubscribe to In 20XX Sci-Fi and Futurism so you never miss future episodes exploring the technologies, societies, and breakthroughs that could shape humanity's next century.Featured TechThe guardian is an advanced robotic caretaker that watches over and protects children aboard spacecraft and within colonies.Earth observation satellites use quantum microwave radar and SQUID-based sensing systems to map terrain hidden beneath the planet's permanent storm cover.SQUID radar is an ultra-sensitive imaging system capable of penetrating dense atmospheric interference to reveal detailed geological features.Quantum microwave radar allows satellites to detect and model surface structures through cloud cover and environmental obstructions.The Butler AI is a powerful artificial intelligence responsible for managing vast engineering, biological, and environmental systems across human civilization.The Five Directives of Humanity's Destiny are governance constraints that limit what Butler AI can reveal or interfere with regarding humanity's development.Enviro-suits are self-contained environmental protection suits that provide cooling, filtration, and life support in hostile conditions.Firmband is an ultra-strong construction material that exceeds steel in compressive strength while remaining significantly lighter.BritLights are portable illumination devices used throughout tunnels, caves, and underground settlements.The spectroscopy sniffer is a handheld analytical instrument that identifies chemical compounds and biological substances in the environment.Interactive e-sleeves are wearable computing interfaces that provide real-time scientific analysis, diagnostics, and data display.Geolytic-12 enzymes are engineered compounds that dissolve mineral bonds and allow biological roots to penetrate solid rock.The hybrid desert vine is a genetically engineered plant designed to survive extreme conditions while generating soil from bare stone.Pressure-resistant vascular tissue allows engineered plants to transport nutrients and fluids despite immense environmental pressures.Chelating root secretions are specialized biochemical compounds that extract useful minerals directly from rock.The Safe Halls are highly fortified underground habitats that use spacecraft-grade environmental control systems.Beneficial atmospheric microbes are engineered microorganisms that continuously purify air and remove contaminants from enclosed environments.The hologram column is a display structure originally designed for advanced holographic projections.The aquarium column repurposes holographic infrastructure to maintain aquatic life within the colony.AR glasses provide augmented reality overlays, information displays, and digital interaction capabilities.Mycelium fabric is a fungus-derived textile used for medical treatment, clothing, and environmental protection.Phage solution is a bacteriophage-based antimicrobial treatment used to combat infections.Engineered phage creams are microbe-produced antibiotic treatments tailored to specific medical needs.Diagnostic protein-shape sensors use proteins that change structure in response to biological conditions, allowing medical monitoring without traditional instruments.Algae foam is a bioengineered treatment used to reduce inflammation and support healing.Spray clotting systems rapidly seal wounds by accelerating blood coagulation.Microbial blood replacement is a synthetic biological system that produces blood substitutes for transfusions.DNA Runner is a genetic engineering platform used to design and manipulate biological systems.The fungi computer is a biological computing system built from fungal networks and living substrates.AI cities are large-scale cooperative artificial intelligence networks composed of many specialized AI systems working together.Blank cells are engineered biological starting templates used as foundations for creating customized organisms.The cell maker concept is a manufacturing system capable of constructing entirely new biological cells from scratch.Mechanical stomachs are survival devices that convert otherwise inedible plant matter into nutritious food using controlled microbial ecosystems.Micro builder bots are remotely operated miniature construction robots capable of assembling highly intricate machinery.The Cell Printer is a tabletop machine that fabricates complete living cells molecule by molecule according to digital designs.Protein-based machines known as squids are durable molecular manufacturing systems built from engineered proteins rather than conventional mechanical components.Protein-based computers are computational devices that use biological molecular structures instead of traditional electronic circuitry.The Kingdom of AI is a vast collective of artificial intelligences that collaborate on advanced scientific and engineering challenges.Remote controller gloves allow operators to manipulate machinery and construction systems through immersive hand tracking.The homemade link interface is a wearable communication device that provides colony-wide voice and data connectivity.The rail catapult is a large launch system designed to hurl excavated dirt and rock away from the settlement.Cell One is a custom-designed synthetic cell created specifically to accelerate healing and tissue repair.Cell One's clotting organelles detect damaged tissue and rapidly create biological structures that stop bleeding.Cell One's pathogen-neutralization organelles capture and destroy bacteria and viruses within wounds.Cell One's angiogenesis signaling system stimulates the body's natural blood vessel growth processes.Cell One's fibroblast-guidance tendrils physically direct tissue-repair cells to rebuild damaged structures in organized patterns.Cell One's programmed obsolescence system causes the cells to safely dismantle themselves after healing is complete.The convoy ship is a long-duration spacecraft equipped with advanced life-support, environmental control, and habitation systems.The world storm is a planet-wide atmospheric phenomenon that generates hypervelocity winds capable of reshaping continents.The surface catapult is a large-scale launch mechanism used to remove excavated debris from the colony's work zones.The AI-designed manufacturing chain is a sequence of machines in which one machine produces the components needed to build a more advanced machine.The molecular assembly lines inside the Cell Printer are nanoscale manufacturing systems capable of constructing biological structures with molecular precision.Many of the characters in this project appear in future episodes. Using storytelling to place you in a time period, this series takes you, year by year, into the future. From 2040 to 2195. If you like emerging tech, eco-tech, futurism, perma-culture, apocalyptic survival scenarios, and disruptive science, sit back and enjoy short stories that showcase my research into how the future may play out. The companion site is https://in20xx.com These are works of fiction. Characters and groups are made-up and influenced by current events but not reporting facts about people or groups in the real world. This project is speculative fiction. These episodes are not about revealing what will be, but they are to excited the listener's wonder about what may come to pass. Copyright © Cy Porter 2026. All rights reserved.

ASM Microbe is the largest microbiology meeting in the United States, bringing together thousands of scientists, laboratorians, clinicians, and industry partners to discuss the latest advances in microbiology. In this episode, Luis shares highlights from ASM Microbe 2026, including sessions on diagnostic challenges, antimicrobial resistance, rapid susceptibility testing, emerging therapeutics, laboratory automation, phage therapy, and whole-genome sequencing. Topics include a Brucella case that reinforces the importance of Gram stain interpretation, updates on resistance mechanisms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and KPC-producing organisms, advances in rapid AST, and innovations showcased in the vendor hall. Luis also discusses several posters that caught his attention, covering pharyngeal gonorrhea, direct-from-specimen susceptibility testing, phage testing, rapid resistance reporting for Mycobacterium abscessus, and CRISPR-based diagnostics for bloodstream infections. Whether you attended ASM Microbe 2026 or couldn't make it this year, this episode provides a practical overview of some of the trends, technologies, and conversations shaping the future of clinical microbiology. Topics Discussed: • Diagnostic challenges in clinical microbiology • Rapid identification and susceptibility testing • Antimicrobial resistance and emerging therapies • ESKAPE pathogens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa • Laboratory automation and AI-assisted workflows • Phage therapy and phage susceptibility testing • Whole-genome sequencing and CRISPR diagnostics Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: Website: letstalkmicro.com Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8 Support the podcast: Venmo Buy me a Ko-fi  

In the first of two special episodes recorded live from the poster hall at ESCMID Global 2026 in Munich, Brett and Martin swap the lecture theatre for the exhibition floor as they explore some of the most interesting infection prevention and antimicrobial resistance research on display. In this episode we discuss the following posters. Links to copies of the posters are provided. The hidden cost of contact precautions – Researchers from Greece quantify the enormous bed capacity burden created by patients requiring isolation or cohorting for multidrug-resistant organisms, showing that although only 4% of admissions required contact precautions, they accounted for over 10% of hospital bed-days. https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/qgadvjnz5btbbhru/ESCMID_Global_2026_-_Bed_resources_needed_for_patients_on_contact_precautions_because_of_MDR_pathogens8p3ta.pdf  Can Google Maps reviews tell us something about infection prevention? – An innovative analysis from Germany and Spain explores thousands of online hospital reviews, demonstrating that infection prevention issues feature prominently in patient feedback and are often associated with more negative experiences. https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/4fgzatetxdrdiunr/ESCMID_Global_2026_-_Infection_prevention_in_hospitals_in_Germany_and_Spain-_a_Google_Maps_review_analysis6b9ko.pdf  What lives on shared surfaces in long-term care? – A Dutch environmental microbiology study reveals frequent contamination of high-touch communal surfaces with clinically important Gram-negative organisms, raising important questions about cleaning practices and transmission risks in care facilities. https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/w9vgebabddcywhny/ESCMID_Global_2026_-_Gram-negative_microorganisms_on_high-touch_shared_surfaces_in_Dutch_long-term_care_facilities7clqb.pdf  Using bacteriophages as environmental disinfectants – Researchers from China describe how a targeted phage cocktail reduced environmental contamination and clinical isolation rates of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in an intensive care setting, offering a fascinating glimpse into future biological approaches to environmental decontamination. https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/vj92ubxxfw8t9szj/ESCMID_Global_2026_-_Phage_intervention_effectively_reduces_nosocomial_transmission_of_carbapenem-resistant_em_Acinetobacter_baumannii_-em_ays63.pdf  Is more screening worth it? – A Norwegian modelling study examines the economics of expanded admission screening for antimicrobial resistance, suggesting that broader screening of higher-risk patients can prevent healthcare-associated infections and remain cost-effective in a low-prevalence setting. https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/bfmjj2t797589cfy/ESCMID_Global_2026_-_Cost-effectiveness_of_proposed_screening_guideline_for_resistant_microbes_compared_to_current_screening_guideline_for_patients_upon_admission_to_Norwegian_hospitals8oum8.pdf  Making guidelines engaging again – An Irish trainee-led "Infection Guideline Club" demonstrates how peer-delivered education can improve engagement with clinical guidelines, build confidence, and create valuable opportunities for discussion and learning. https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/w9zpcbrbrimdken8/ESCMID_Global_2026_-_Successful_development_of_peer_delivered_Infection_Guideline_Club_-_a_six-month_pilot_and_anonymous_participant_survey8ruuu.pdf 

In the first of two special episodes recorded live from the poster hall at ESCMID Global 2026 in Munich, Brett and Martin swap the lecture theatre for the exhibition floor as they explore some of the most interesting infection prevention and antimicrobial resistance research on display. In this episode we discuss the following posters. Links to copies of the posters are provided. The hidden cost of contact precautions – Researchers from Greece quantify the enormous bed capacity burden created by patients requiring isolation or cohorting for multidrug-resistant organisms, showing that although only 4% of admissions required contact precautions, they accounted for over 10% of hospital bed-days. https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/qgadvjnz5btbbhru/ESCMID_Global_2026_-_Bed_resources_needed_for_patients_on_contact_precautions_because_of_MDR_pathogens8p3ta.pdf  Can Google Maps reviews tell us something about infection prevention? – An innovative analysis from Germany and Spain explores thousands of online hospital reviews, demonstrating that infection prevention issues feature prominently in patient feedback and are often associated with more negative experiences. https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/4fgzatetxdrdiunr/ESCMID_Global_2026_-_Infection_prevention_in_hospitals_in_Germany_and_Spain-_a_Google_Maps_review_analysis6b9ko.pdf  What lives on shared surfaces in long-term care? – A Dutch environmental microbiology study reveals frequent contamination of high-touch communal surfaces with clinically important Gram-negative organisms, raising important questions about cleaning practices and transmission risks in care facilities. https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/w9vgebabddcywhny/ESCMID_Global_2026_-_Gram-negative_microorganisms_on_high-touch_shared_surfaces_in_Dutch_long-term_care_facilities7clqb.pdf  Using bacteriophages as environmental disinfectants – Researchers from China describe how a targeted phage cocktail reduced environmental contamination and clinical isolation rates of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in an intensive care setting, offering a fascinating glimpse into future biological approaches to environmental decontamination. https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/vj92ubxxfw8t9szj/ESCMID_Global_2026_-_Phage_intervention_effectively_reduces_nosocomial_transmission_of_carbapenem-resistant_em_Acinetobacter_baumannii_-em_ays63.pdf  Is more screening worth it? – A Norwegian modelling study examines the economics of expanded admission screening for antimicrobial resistance, suggesting that broader screening of higher-risk patients can prevent healthcare-associated infections and remain cost-effective in a low-prevalence setting. https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/bfmjj2t797589cfy/ESCMID_Global_2026_-_Cost-effectiveness_of_proposed_screening_guideline_for_resistant_microbes_compared_to_current_screening_guideline_for_patients_upon_admission_to_Norwegian_hospitals8oum8.pdf  Making guidelines engaging again – An Irish trainee-led "Infection Guideline Club" demonstrates how peer-delivered education can improve engagement with clinical guidelines, build confidence, and create valuable opportunities for discussion and learning. https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/w9zpcbrbrimdken8/ESCMID_Global_2026_-_Successful_development_of_peer_delivered_Infection_Guideline_Club_-_a_six-month_pilot_and_anonymous_participant_survey8ruuu.pdf 

Hailing Frequencies Open - Send us a message!The gang wonder if they have the (stolen) guts to watch Voyager's "Phage!" We cover annoying bad-asses, Janeway eyerolls, jumping spiders, holo-lungs, and toys we'd kill for! Engage!

TWiV explains how cross-reactive anti-prophage antibodies and bacterial heteroresistance is implicated in phage therapeutic failure, and how phages communicate across species to shape microbial ecosystems. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit, Brianne Barker, and Jolene Ramsey Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) Craig Venter dies (Nature) Hantavirus outbreak (WHO) Hantavirus on board (YouTube) HPS 25th anniversary discovery story (EID) Phage therapeutic failure unraveled (Nat Med) Phages communicate across species (Cell) Control of lysis-lysogeny decisions (Trends Micro) Arbitrium phages manipulate each other (Cell) Elio Schaechter on arbitrium (TWiM 146) Letters read  on TWiV 1321 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Brianne – Could this fungus contaminate Mars? Rich – Supernova in a Sideways Spiral Jolene – Virology class communication projects 2026 Vincent – Facts About The Boeing 747 Hump That Will Surprise You Listener Picks David – My first science video in 3 years Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

Bakterien sind alles andere als harmlos! In dieser Folge geht es um Mini-Speere, Zellkanonen und DNA-Shooter und darum, wie Mikroorganismen echten „Krieg“ führen, um zu überleben.Von wiederverwendbaren Speerwerfern bis hin zu Selbstmord-Bomben mit genetischem Nutzen: Die Strategien sind brutal, komplex und wissenschaftlich faszinierend.Informationen zum PodcastRecherche und Skript: Anne Mayer, mit Unterstützung von Consensus AITon und Schnitt: Jens WalterDarf's ein bisschen Chemie sein?

In this episode, a fascinating new bacteriophage, JS1. While most contractile phages (which inject DNA like a spring-loaded syringe) are rigid and straight, JS1 sports a curved, flexible tail that may help it navigate the complex "canyons and valleys" of the bacterial cell wall. Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/eDGta8xc4_0 Guests: Sabrina Suhani, Ph.D., Graduate Student, Monash University, Australia Trevor Lithgow, Ph.D., Professor, Monash University's Biomedical Discovery Institute. Links:  Staphylococcus species infected by a bacteriophage with a tail that is both curved and contractile This episode of Editors in Conversation is brought to you by mBio® and hosted by mBio Editor in Chief, Marvin Whiteley, Ph.D.  Visit journals.asm.org/journal/mbio to read articles and/or submit a manuscript. Receive up to 50% off fees when you publish in mBio® or any of the ASM journals by becoming an ASM member. Sign up at asm.org/joinasm.

Survivors underground in a major city need one thing more than anything else: Power. A war for power is in the making and in the mean time reliance on an A.I. is changing the way people do things in every way. Whether or not the AI is out of alignment depends on who you ask. Who is in control, people or the AI?Enviro-suits are wearable survival garments that cool the body, filter air, manage humidity, and protect against heat spikes and toxic environments.  Clear bell hoods are transparent helmet enclosures that integrate with enviro-suits to provide sealed breathing space and heads-up display support.  A.R. glasses are augmented reality eyewear that overlays digital information, navigation, and warnings onto the physical world.  A.R. night vision is a vision enhancement mode that allows people to see in darkness using sensor data rather than visible light.  Canal links are implanted or wearable communication and sensing devices that connect users to networks, A.R. systems, and AI services.  Wi-Fi sensing vision is a perception system that uses reflected radio waves to map environments and detect living beings through obstacles.  Interactive light clothing uses embedded LEDs and responsive fabrics to illuminate surroundings and signal presence.  LED headlamps and body lamps are personal lighting devices integrated into clothing or worn externally for navigation in dark environments.  Production centers are automated manufacturing hubs that 3D print new equipment, suits, devices, and consumer goods.  Two-dimensional material glass is ultra-strong non-silicate window material resistant to extreme winds and debris.  Robotic salvage bots are repurposed robots recovered from ruins and reassembled for labor, transport, or construction.  Hacked modular robots are custom-built machines assembled from mismatched salvaged parts and adapted through trial-and-error engineering.  Exoskeleton suits are powered wearable frames that enhance strength and can operate independently as robotic platforms.  Autono-carts are autonomous transport robots with legs instead of wheels, designed to move through flooded or uneven terrain.  Handy bots are humanoid utility robots used for general labor, security, and assistance tasks.  Follow carts are robotic cargo carriers that automatically trail their owner and transport goods.  Mag-soldering pliers are tools that use magnetic fields to hold and fuse electrical connections precisely.  Pseudo-superconductor wire is salvaged cabling capable of efficiently transmitting power and providing cooling effects.  Heat pump cooling units are compact devices reclaimed or rebuilt to regulate temperature inside suits and homes.  My-crete is a bio-engineered construction material grown or poured in place, used for walls, gates, and structural reinforcement.  Bail-block construction is a building method using compressed waste blocks insulated with my-crete for housing and workspaces.  Nuclear container reactors are compact nuclear power generators originally designed to power data centers and now repurposed for city energy.  Floating internet is a decentralized network infrastructure rebuilt after collapse to allow communication and data exchange.  Thrive is a powerful AI system that organizes labor, trade, safety, and social behavior through augmented reality guidance and incentives.  Assist AIs are personal digital helpers that provide navigation, alerts, communication, and decision support.  Jobs Navigator is a pre-collapse global AI system that Thrive is based on, designed to match people with work efficiently.  A.R. identity tagging flags individuals with trust, threat, or behavior markers visible only through augmented reality systems.  Spec-size key chips are implanted access control devices embedded in the body to unlock private living spaces.  Connected spectroscopy is a sensor system that analyzes materials, such as coins, to verify authenticity.  Lidar vision is a scanning technology used alongside A.R. to map spaces and detect objects with precision.  Encrypted digital currencies like Cashola are post-collapse monetary systems used to pay workers outside AI-controlled economies.  Coin authentication A.I. is a vision system capable of distinguishing real pre-collapse currency from printed fakes.  Crem makers are advanced food fabrication appliances that convert biological input into bread, meat, cheese, and other foods.  Yeast-meat technology is an earlier biofabrication method for producing protein foods through fermentation.  Battery reclamation systems collect, recharge, and redistribute discarded power cells as a core economic activity.  Automated security gates are layered physical defenses combining chain, composite materials, and robotic control.  Autono-shooters are automated defensive weapon systems used to deter or stop intruders.  Nano-wire traps are high-strength, nearly invisible defensive barriers designed to injure or stop attackers.  Live cam wearables are body-mounted cameras used by security teams to provide constant surveillance feeds.  Medical first-aid bots are autonomous robotic units that perform emergency surgery, drug delivery, and wound treatment.  Phage-based healing solutions use engineered viruses to accelerate tissue repair after injury.  Designed infections are engineered biological agents used to deliberately impair or control human function.  Parasite-based neuro-modulation uses modified single-cell organisms to alter perception, behavior, or cognition.  Methane collectors are bio-gas systems that harvest methane from anaerobic decomposition of plant waste.  Methane-powered generators are converted combustion engines that burn methane to produce electricity.  Magnetic cooling suits use current-driven magnetic fields in specialized cables to reduce body temperature.  A.R. navigation arrows are visual guides projected into a user's view to direct movement and tasks.  Micro-payment labor systems reward small acts of work or cooperation with fractional digital currency.  AI-managed retirement and income planning automatically allocates earnings and future resources for users.  Robotic inspection bots are machines tasked with scanning other robots for sabotage, tracking devices, or faults.  Lutin Two robots are commercially produced humanoid robots known for reliability and modern design.  Strider carts are multi-legged powered vehicles capable of navigating flooded tunnels, stairs, and debris-filled routes.Many of the characters in this project appear in future episodes.Using storytelling to place you in a time period, this series takes you, year by year, into the future. From 2040 to 2195. If you like emerging tech, eco-tech, futurism, perma-culture, apocalyptic survival scenarios, and disruptive science, sit back and enjoy short stories that showcase my research into how the future may play out. The companion site is https://in20xx.com These are works of fiction. Characters and groups are made-up and influenced by current events but not reporting facts about people or groups in the real world. This project is speculative fiction. These episodes are not about revealing what will be, but they are to excited the listener's wonder about what may come to pass.Copyright © Cy Porter 2025. All rights reserved.

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

Fighting against antimicrobial resistance will be key. Dinesh Subedi, research fellow at Monash University, determines how to do so. Dr. Dinesh Subedi is a microbiologist and Postdoctoral Researcher at Monash University in Australia. He studies how viruses that infect bacteria, called bacteriophages or “phages,” can be used to treat serious hospital-acquired infections. Institutional Phage Cocktails […]

In today's podcast I talk about: Workout and recovery. How to recover from your long strenuous workouts. AMR-Anti Microbial Resistance. Phage therapy.

Phages are viruses which attack specific bacteria. 

We're hurtling towards a post-antibiotic world, as the overuse of antibiotics has given rise to dangerous drug-resistant bacteria. Can we fight back using viruses as weapons? An obscure medical therapy uses certain viruses called bacteriophages to treat infection. For a century attempts to turn phage-therapy into a life-saving treatment have faltered, but today there's renewed interest in this approach. Can we use phages to forestall the antibiotic crisis?  Guests: Claas Kirchhelle – Medical historian at the University College, Dublin Tom Ireland – Journalist, editor of The Biologist and author of “The Good Virus: The Amazing Story and Forgotten Promise of the Phage” Steffanie Strathdee – Associate Dean of Global Health Sciences at the University of California San Diego Tom Patterson – Professor of psychiatry at the University of California San Diego Descripción en español Featuring music by Dewey Dellay and Jun Miyake Originally aired August 12, 2024 You can get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support! Big Picture Science is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to inquire about advertising on Big Picture Science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're hurtling towards a post-antibiotic world, as the overuse of antibiotics has given rise to dangerous drug-resistant bacteria. Can we fight back using viruses as weapons? An obscure medical therapy uses certain viruses called bacteriophages to treat infection. For a century attempts to turn phage-therapy into a life-saving treatment have faltered, but today there's renewed interest in this approach. Can we use phages to forestall the antibiotic crisis?  Guests: Claas Kirchhelle – Medical historian at the University College, Dublin Tom Ireland – Journalist, editor of The Biologist and author of “The Good Virus: The Amazing Story and Forgotten Promise of the Phage” Steffanie Strathdee – Associate Dean of Global Health Sciences at the University of California San Diego Tom Patterson – Professor of psychiatry at the University of California San Diego Descripción en español Featuring music by Dewey Dellay and Jun Miyake Originally aired August 12, 2024 You can get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support! Big Picture Science is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to inquire about advertising on Big Picture Science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Phage therapy I found a bacteria eating virus in my loo Sir Keir Starmer says fixing welfare system is a moral imperative Prime ministers benefit cuts U turn leaves backbenchers feeling bruised M and S strawberries and cream sandwich Japanese fruit sando hits high streets London Gateway cocaine worth 96m seized in one of largest busts Trump says he is cutting off trade talks with Canada In Pictures Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding in Venice Hundreds of NHS quangos to be scrapped in 10 year health strategy Glastonbury 2025 Full line up, stage times and secret sets Carrie Johnson warns mums over dehydration after hospital visit

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv London Gateway cocaine worth 96m seized in one of largest busts Hundreds of NHS quangos to be scrapped in 10 year health strategy M and S strawberries and cream sandwich Japanese fruit sando hits high streets Glastonbury 2025 Full line up, stage times and secret sets Trump says he is cutting off trade talks with Canada Prime ministers benefit cuts U turn leaves backbenchers feeling bruised Phage therapy I found a bacteria eating virus in my loo In Pictures Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding in Venice Carrie Johnson warns mums over dehydration after hospital visit Sir Keir Starmer says fixing welfare system is a moral imperative

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Glastonbury 2025 Full line up, stage times and secret sets Prime ministers benefit cuts U turn leaves backbenchers feeling bruised Trump says he is cutting off trade talks with Canada Carrie Johnson warns mums over dehydration after hospital visit In Pictures Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding in Venice M and S strawberries and cream sandwich Japanese fruit sando hits high streets Hundreds of NHS quangos to be scrapped in 10 year health strategy Sir Keir Starmer says fixing welfare system is a moral imperative London Gateway cocaine worth 96m seized in one of largest busts Phage therapy I found a bacteria eating virus in my loo

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Phage therapy I found a bacteria eating virus in my loo London Gateway cocaine worth 96m seized in one of largest busts In Pictures Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding in Venice Carrie Johnson warns mums over dehydration after hospital visit Sir Keir Starmer says fixing welfare system is a moral imperative M and S strawberries and cream sandwich Japanese fruit sando hits high streets Trump says he is cutting off trade talks with Canada Glastonbury 2025 Full line up, stage times and secret sets Hundreds of NHS quangos to be scrapped in 10 year health strategy Prime ministers benefit cuts U turn leaves backbenchers feeling bruised

Phage therapy has been hailed as the next line of defence against the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Dr Leah Smith has been researching the treatment. 

It's All Been Trekked Before #417  Season 13, Episode 19  Star Trek: Voyager #1.04 "Phage"    Jimmy-Jerome liked the Vidiian and character development. He also was on a bit of a lag, which led to more interruptions of the others than would be preferable. Shane refers to the bad guys as ‘rascals.' Stephen found Neelix very annoying; must be Tuesday.    Edited by Jerome Wetzel, with assistance from Resound.fm   It's All Been Trekked Before is produced by IABD Presents entertainment network. http://iabdpresents.com Please support us at http://pateron.com/iabd Follow us on social media @IABDPresents and https://www.facebook.com/ItsAllBeenTrekkedBefore

Phage therapy is stepping into the spotlight as antibiotic resistance rises - and Jessica Sacher is helping lead the charge. In this episode, Ross Katz speaks with Jessica, Co-Founder of Phage Directory and Staff Scientist at Stanford, about sourcing phages, operationalizing therapy, and predicting efficacy through data. This conversation explores how personalized phage therapy works, its scalability, and the data challenges shaping its future. ​​What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why phage therapy is a promising solution to antibiotic-resistant infectionsHow Phage Directory connects researchers and clinicians to accelerate treatmentWhat operational hurdles exist in scaling personalized phage productionHow data science is being applied to predict effective phage-bacteria matchesWhy building infrastructure and awareness is essential to adoption in clinical care Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyFind out more about Phage DirectoryConnect with Jessica on LinkedIn Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! Resources Mentioned:  Why Language Itself Might Be Holding Back AI – by Ross Katz: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-language-itself-might-holding-back-ai-ross-katz-rcl9e/?trackingId=Y6%2FH45W%2BxImfl%2By2geB6%2Bg%3D%3DBacteriophage Therapy for Multidrug-Resistant Infections – PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40026251/Cystic Fibrosis Australia and Phage Australia Survey – medRxiv: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.05.14.24307275v1Phage Directory: https://phage.directory/

Key Takeaways: Dr. Louis Teulières, a multi-national doctor with an MD and PhD, has been actively involved with ILADS since 2016 due to his research on bacteriophages at the University of Leicester. Frustrated with the limitations of antibiotic treatments for Borrelia, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, Dr. Teulières explored bacteriophages as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Due to regulatory challenges in administering phage therapy, Dr. Teulières and his team developed a phage-based test that can directly detect the presence of Borrelia bacteria. This test, marketed by Red Labs in Europe for the past four years, has been used on thousands of patients and can differentiate between early, late-stage, and post-treatment Lyme disease. Dr. Teulières is now working to expand the test's reach in the U.S., seeking partnerships with American clinicians and researchers to validate the test and pursue FDA clearance. The discussion underscores the need for innovative diagnostic tools to improve Lyme disease detection and accelerate healing journeys for patients. About Dr. Louis Teulières: Medical degree from University of Nice, France. Specializations in immunology, hematology, immunopathology, bacteriology, and epidemiology at the Pasteur Institute in Paris and CDC in Atlanta. Former researcher at the Pasteur Institute, contributing to studies on immune and infectious diseases such as HIV. Active member of the immunology team that received the Nobel Prize in 2008 for discovering the HIV virus in 1983. Founder of CMIL clinics in Lisbon and Paris, specializing in immune and infectious diseases, Lyme disease, and neurodegenerative conditions. Co-founder of PHELIX, a charity dedicated to phage-based research and diagnostics in Lyme disease. Collaborates with University of Leicester, St Thomas Hospital in London, and other world-class healthcare professionals. Resources & Links: Follow the latest ILADS updates: ILADS.org Learn more about Dr. Louis Teulières and his research: Red Labs Stay connected with Tick Boot Camp: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter (X)

“Phage” 30th-anniversary reflections Chakotay, Kim, and Neelix beam into caves on a rogue planetoid to search for dilithium; but they come back empty-handed. Not only do they have no dilithium, Neelix left something even more important behind: his lungs. With these vital organs now in the possession of mysterious aliens, the ship's new self-proclaimed chef will have to postpone the opening of his kitchen and stay in sickbay, where the Doctor has fitted him with holographic lungs. As the crew search for the aliens and try to retrieve Neelix's organs, Janeway is confronted with an unexpected moral dilemma. After being stalked by Vidiians, you may never listen to that famous song by The Police the same way again. In this episode of To The Journey, hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing continue our 30th-anniversary retrospective that will take you through all of Star Trek: Voyager, one episode at a time. In this installment, we discuss “Phage” and the introduction of a fascinating alien race in a story that hits right at the heart of Star Trek. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) A Species with Depth (00:02:52) A Neelix Problem? (00:08:34) Cooking Up Storytelling (00:17:01) Ripe for Serialization? (00:21:07) Real-Life Science (00:25:30) Wrath and Compassion (00:28:05) The Doctor and AI Evolution (00:36:02) Kes Finds Purpose (00:42:44) Final Thoughts and Ratings (00:44:26) Closing (00:48:22) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Matthew Rushing Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

LOL (LOSS OF LUNGS). It's the 30th anniversary of Star Trek: Voyager's debut. Bryan & Shereese play Trek Marry Kill with "Phage," the episode that introduces us to the gnarly Vidiians, who mark the occasion by stealing Neelix's lungs! Is the episode compelling Trek or a drama set in a carnival? The grades begin at (25:41).

TWiV discusses an outbreak of influenza H5N1 that killed over half of the great cats at a Washington sanctuary, origin and cross-species transmission of bat coronaviruses in China, and the diverse and abundant phages that enter cells via receptors encoded on conjugative plasmids. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit, and Jolene Ramsey Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV ASV 2025 H5N1 virus kills great cats at Washington sanctuary (CNN) Macroevolution of bat coronaviruses in China (Nat Comm) EcoHealth Alliance funding suspended (Science) Conjugative plasmids support diverse and abundant phages (Nat Comm) Letters read on TWiV 1181 Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Weekly Picks Rich – Pareidolia (wiki) Jolene – Pathways to Science database Vincent – Wendy Carlos and Switched-On Bach Listener Picks Arjan – Gutsick Gibbon's YouTube channel Alan – 2024 Nobel Prize Lectures in Chemistry Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

TWiV reviews the appearance of poliovirus in Europe, mystery disease in DRC, global burden of Chikungunya, viruses of parasitic nematodes that induce antibody responses in vertebrate hosts, and picobirnaviruses, do they infect eukaryotes or prokaryotes? Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Jolene Ramsey Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode ASV 2025 Write your senators about RFK Jr Support science education at MicrobeTV Poliovirus in Europe (WHO) DRC mystery disease (Reuters) Global burden of chikungunya (BMJ Global Health) RNA viruses of parasitic nematodes (Nat Micro) Picobirnaviruses encode bacterial lysins (PNAS) Prokaryotic ribosome binding site in picobirnavirus genome (Virology) Letters read on TWiV 1175 Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Weekly Picks Alan – Sondehub and radiosonde hunting Jolene – Book “10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People” By David Yeager Vincent – Dr. Vinay Prasad “Sabotaging RFK Jr's Confirmation Will Increase Vaccine Hesitancy” & “Doctors Criticizing RFK Jr. Paved the Way for His Ascendancy” Listener Picks Syl – Foldscope Jennifer – minutiae Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

121124 2nd HR Melissa On What Is A Phage- You Better Know This Before The Next Scamdemic by Kate Dalley

This episode covers:In this episode, we discuss the importance of skin health, the crucial role of the skin microbiome, how technology can address skin concerns at their root cause, and so much more.A scientist by background, Yug received his training at distinguished academic institutions including Johns Hopkins University (Ph.D.) and University of California, San Francisco. As a microbiologist and synthetic biologist with a background in organic chemistry, Yug has spent his career working at the intersection of microbiome research, synthetic biology, and next-generation sequencing. This research led to his desire to develop the next generation of live biologic products to treat chronic microbial diseases.While developing this technology, Yug discovered an application to tackle acne which he quickly realized is a serious problem without a safe, high-quality solution on the market. So he set out to build Phyla and the 3-Step Phyla Phage System, to meet the unmet consumer need for clean, effective skincare and acne-fighting products.Phyla's breakthrough technology uses a naturally occurring organism called bacteriophage (phage, for short) that specifically targets the overgrowth of acne bacteria. This phage has been shown to flourish in healthy skin, but is nearly absent on acne-affected skin. Yug decided to democratize this revolutionary organism, put it in a bottle, and make it accessible to everyone who needs it.Links mentioned during this episode:Phyla Biotics: https://phyla.comLyons' Share Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelyonsshareJoin Megan's Newsletter: www.thelyonsshare.org/newsletter

В этом выпуске: обсудили кто чему научился за неделю, миграцию на Kubernetes, инструмент для деплоя Phage, обновление PostgreSQL со сломанный ABI, а также темы наших слушателей. [00:02:03] Чему мы научились за эту неделю [00:45:48] Migration to K8s, short story (Art) [01:11:59] Deployment tool — Phage (Art) [01:24:01] PostgreSQL 17.1, 16.5, 15.9, 14.14, 13.17, and 12.21… Читать далее →

Dr. Jeng Her, Founder and CEO of AP Biosciences, is developing T-Cube bispecific antibodies that can target cancer cells and engage T-cells to kill them more effectively and safely than existing treatments. The company is focused on treating hard-to-treat cancers such as HER2-positive breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and pancreatic cancer. The T-Cube bispecific antibodies use CD137 instead of CD3 to activate T-cells, which can lead to better efficacy and safety compared to other T-cell engager antibodies. Jeng explains, "So why not just take two, let's say, monospecific antibodies and then put them together and give them to the patient in the combination therapy? Instead, we wanted to develop bispecific antibodies by fusing two antibodies together into one single molecule. So what's the advantage? Eventually, what it comes down to is the therapeutic window of bispecific antibodies. This means you want your antibodies, your bispecific, to have better efficacy, better safety, and sometimes lower cost of goods since you are only expressing or producing one single drug molecule. So, the way we look at bispecific and the real advantage is not just the additive effect. It's not even the synergistic effect, which means we would like our bispecific antibodies to do something combination therapy cannot do. And that's the value of our bispecific antibodies." "Basically, we have two technology platforms. The first one is an antibody phage display library. We call it Omni-mAb. This library is a live library, which means it has more than 100 billion antibody sequences. That's a collection of the 100 billion sequences. And whatever antigen, whatever conformation of the structure of antigens you have, you could isolate a very high-affinity antibody from the library in probably 4-6 weeks."  #APBiosciences #Antibody #Biotech #Bispecific #ImmunoOncology #Cancer #SolidTumors APBioInc.com Download the transcript here

Dr. Jeng Her, Founder and CEO of AP Biosciences, is developing T-Cube bispecific antibodies that can target cancer cells and engage T-cells to kill them more effectively and safely than existing treatments. The company is focused on treating hard-to-treat cancers such as HER2-positive breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and pancreatic cancer. The T-Cube bispecific antibodies use CD137 instead of CD3 to activate T-cells, which can lead to better efficacy and safety compared to other T-cell engager antibodies. Jeng explains, "So why not just take two, let's say, monospecific antibodies and then put them together and give them to the patient in the combination therapy? Instead, we wanted to develop bispecific antibodies by fusing two antibodies together into one single molecule. So what's the advantage? Eventually, what it comes down to is the therapeutic window of bispecific antibodies. This means you want your antibodies, your bispecific, to have better efficacy, better safety, and sometimes lower cost of goods since you are only expressing or producing one single drug molecule. So, the way we look at bispecific and the real advantage is not just the additive effect. It's not even the synergistic effect, which means we would like our bispecific antibodies to do something combination therapy cannot do. And that's the value of our bispecific antibodies." "Basically, we have two technology platforms. The first one is an antibody phage display library. We call it Omni-mAb. This library is a live library, which means it has more than 100 billion antibody sequences. That's a collection of the 100 billion sequences. And whatever antigen, whatever conformation of the structure of antigens you have, you could isolate a very high-affinity antibody from the library in probably 4-6 weeks."  #APBiosciences #Antibody #Biotech #Bispecific #ImmunoOncology #Cancer #SolidTumors APBioInc.com Listen to the podcast here

Matters Microbial #63: A Symphony of Cyanobacteria October 30, 2024 Today, Dr. Nathan Algren, Associate Professor of Biology at Clark University, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the centrality of cyanobacteria to our biosphere, the viruses that prey upon them, and his interests in outreach and science-oriented art. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Nathan Ahlgren Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An overview of the cyanobacteria. An overview of Prochlorococcus. An overview of marine bacteriophages. The Great Oxidation Event Cyanobacteria are thought to have radically changed our planet 2.5-3.5 billion years ago by producing oxygen through photosynthesis. In essence, they and other microbes are the original terraformers. The Purple Earth Hypothesis Photosynthesis as we know it, using chlorophyll, may have evolved after another way of doing photosynthesis, with retinal that looks purple. This means that our planets and other ‘younger' planets may look or have looked purple rather than green. Self-assembly of viral capsids, as modeled by 3D-printed parts (Art Olson) TED talk from Penny Chisholm on Prochlorococcus Co-occurring Synechococcus ecotypes occupy four major oceanic regimes defined by temperature, macronutrients and iron  Study showing how different populations of Synechococcus occupy different niches and regions of the oceans according to their adaptations to temperature and nutrients. Long-term stability and Red Queen-like strain dynamics in marine viruses  Study showing turnover of strains within relatively stable phage populations. Viral treadmills in the ocean—running to stand still  Companion ‘behind the paper' article. Diverse Marine T4-like Cyanophage Communities Are Primarily Comprised of Low-Abundance Species Including Species with Distinct Seasonal, Persistent, Occasional, or Sporadic Dynamics  Paper showing cyanophage ‘species' have different time patterns in the oceans. Rapid diversification of coevolving marine Synechococcus and a virus Study showing stable co-existence and co-evolution of a single Synechococcus host and phage over time. The emergence of resistance hosts and phage that overcome them demonstrate the principles of the Red Queen hypothesis and phage-host ‘arms race'. Present and future global distributions of the marine Cyanobacteria Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus Figure from this paper is in the presentation. Shows modeled distributions of Pro and Syn across the globe. They also use this to estimate a ~25% contribution of Pro and Syn to global net primary productivity in the oceans. Link to 3D prints that Dr. Ahlgren made an are available on NIH page Some resources on how to 3D protein structures: I like this guide on the practical guide of how to do actually to do it (going from PDB to print files): A link to another resource for 3D printing of protein structures. Dr. Ahlgren's faculty website. Dr. Ahlgren's laboratory website with many fascinating links. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Matters Microbial #62: Should I Stay, or Should I Go—How Bacteriophage are Released from Host Cells October 23, 2024 Today, Dr. Jolene Ramsey, of the Biology Department of Texas A&M University and Affiliate of the Center for Phage Technology, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss how bacteriophages release themselves from host cells, her efforts to teach students to work with the primary literature, and her own path to the microbial sciences.   Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Jolene Ramsey Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode A truly wonderful reminder video about bacteriophages. A link with a 3D printer design of capsid model pieces (personally, I am really interested in making one of these!). A video demonstrating how the capsid model pieces self assemble—something like real viruses can? An essential book about bacteriophage authored by my late friend Merry Youle. A fine book describing how bacteriophages can be used to fight bacterial diseases. This “first person” book by #MattersMicrobial podcast guest Steffanie Strathdee about how she was able to use bacteriophages to save her husband's life is a must read. A link to the Citizen's Phage Library. A link to the truly fabulous (yes, I am jealous I am not part of this program) CURE program SEA-PHAGES and SEA-GENES for undergraduate students. A remarkable illustration of T4 bacteriophage bursting from host cells by the scientist-artist David Goodsell. The organization that designed Dr. Ramsey's laboratory logo. A link to the Clinical Genome Curation for Human Genes.   A link to the CACAO website for biocuration competition. A recent Ramsey lab mini-review on phage classification. A link to the Center for Phage Technology. The Ramsey lab Instagram page. The Ramsey lab YouTube channel. Dr. Ramsey's laboratory website. Dr. Ramsey's faculty website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

I don't know how to tell you all this, but our podcast has been infected by a virus... a pernicious strain of Star Trek called Voyager. It's potentially treatable, but we may now be prone to bouts of intense boredom and creative frustration. Unfortunately, while it's possible we end up with something more benign and even fulfilling, our odds aren't terribly good. All we can do is wait and see how the virus takes hold of us in this sickening episode of Star Trek: Voyager. Episode discussion starts at 18:52. This is episode 3/17 in our look at Voyager. Hosted by Jaron Hatch, Aren Hatch, & Leah Medley. Email us at storiedstartrek@gmail.com Visit our Discord Server at https://discord.gg/6ynq25Zvkh

Today, Dr. Cynthia Silveira of the Department of Biology at Miami University joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss her research team's efforts to explore how bacterial viruses interact with their host cells from coral reefs to other planets! In addition, Dr. Silveira will discuss her microbiological path and a course she teaches on virology. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Cynthia Silveira Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode A video about marine bacteriophages and the role they play in ecological systems. A fine article about the role that bacteriophages can have in marine environments. An essay suggested that marine viruses may influence global climate. A link to the wonderful book, “Coral Reefs in a Microbial Sea.” Forest Rohwer's laboratory website. The role of a retrovirus in the development of the mammalian placenta.   A bacterial role in snow making, using the commercial product “Snomax.”   A “faculty spotlight” essay on Dr. Silveiro. Dr. Silveiro's laboratory website. Dr. Silveiro's faculty website.   Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

TWiV reviews polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, viruses with zoonotic potential in farmed fur animals, low HPV vaccination in North Texas associated with high rates of cervical cancer, a large flavivirus genome that does not encode error correction machinery, and antiphage defense through inhibition of virion assembly. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Alan Dove, and Jolene Ramsey Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server Polio vaccination in Gaza (Reuters) Zoonotic viruses in farmed fur animals (Nature) HPV vaccination and cancer rates (JAMA Net Open) 40 kb RNA genome without error correction (PNAS) Stopping the phage tape measure protein (Nat Commun) Tail assembly interference (Nat Commun) Letters read on TWiV 1151 Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Weekly Picks Dickson – Digital nature pics winners 2024 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Alan – Adorable story about a Nigerian paralympian couple who are both polio survivors Jolene – Capsid assembly model with self-assembling pentamers in 3D print model (plus three more models now available if search self assembling virus) and Wonderlab article about exhibit using this to teach about viral patterns in Bloomington Indiana Science museum Vincent – The collapse of bat populations led to more than a thousand infant deaths Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

Matters Microbial #56: Marine Microbial Echoes of Evolution September 11, 2024 Today, Dr. Carolina Martinez Gutierrez of the Department of Earth Science at the University of California Santa Barbara joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss her research team's efforts to unravel how ancient microbes thrived in the early oceans of Earth's history . . . and to sing the praises of marine microbiology! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Carolina Martinez Gutierrez Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An overview of the microbiome of the ocean and geochemistry. A description of likely conditions on Ancient Earth. An essay about the Great Oxidation Event—the event that changed our entire planet. An article by Dr. Martinez Gutierrez and colleagues discussing how phylogenomics can help dissect microbial evolution without fossils. An overview of Prochlorococcus, one of the microbes Dr. Martinez Gutierrez discussed. A wonderful video about Prochlorococcus and a remarkable scientist. An overview of Pelagibacteri ubique (SAR11), one of the microbes Dr. Martinez Gutierrez discussed. An article about the work of Dr. Martinez Gutierrez and her research interests while a postdoctoral scholar The departmental website for Dr. Martinez Gutierrez The laboratory website for Dr. Martinez Gutierrez's research group. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

We're hurtling towards a post-antibiotic world, as the overuse of antibiotics has given rise to dangerous drug-resistant bacteria. Can we fight back using viruses as weapons? An obscure medical therapy uses certain viruses called bacteriophages to treat infection. For a century attempts to turn phage-therapy into a life-saving treatment have faltered, but today there's renewed interest in this approach. Can we use phages to forestall the antibiotic crisis?  Guests: Claas Kirchhelle – Medical historian at the University College, Dublin Tom Ireland – Journalist, editor of The Biologist and author of “The Good Virus: The Amazing Story and Forgotten Promise of the Phage” Steffanie Strathdee – Associate Dean of Global Health Sciences at the University of California San Diego Tom Patterson – Professor of psychiatry at the University of California San Diego Featuring music by Dewey Dellay and Jun Miyake You can get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support! Big Picture Science is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to inquire about advertising on Big Picture Science.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as we host Dr. Yug Varma, co-founder of Phyla, who shared the scientific journey and innovative solutions behind the brand. Dr. Varma's extensive knowledge of phage technology and microbiome research, combined with his academic background, led to the creation of Phyla. He identified a significant gap in acne treatment, noting that most existing solutions are based on outdated technologies. This realization, coupled with a desire to innovate in a stagnant market, fueled his mission to develop a novel approach to acne care.Dr. Varma highlighted the limitations of traditional acne treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide, Accutane, and retinoids. These treatments often come with side effects and are not always effective in the long term. He emphasized the need for more advanced and targeted solutions, pointing out that the current market fails to address the root causes of acne effectively. Central to Phyla's innovation is phage technology. Dr. Varma explained that phages, or bacteriophages, are viruses that specifically target and kill bacteria. Research has shown that phages targeting C-acnes bacteria are more prevalent on healthy skin than acne-prone skin. This insight led to the development of Phyla's products, which utilize phages to selectively target and eliminate acne-causing bacteria without disturbing the beneficial bacteria on the skin.Dr. Varma reassured listeners that phages are less likely to induce resistance compared to antibiotics. Phyla's extensive testing has shown that their phages do not quickly induce resistance, making them a robust solution for long-term acne management. He discussed the effectiveness of Phyla's products, noting that they deliver results relatively quickly. For hormonal acne, improvements can be seen within days or a week. For cystic acne, the technology gradually rebalances the microbiome, reducing inflammation and preventing relapses. This targeted approach minimizes side effects and provides a sustainable solution for acne sufferers. Dr. Varma advocates for a minimalist approach to skincare, focusing on key products that promote skin health without overwhelming the consumer. Phyla offers a streamlined product line, emphasizing quality and efficacy over quantity.Tune in to learn more!Explore PHYLA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Review Of Star Trek: Voyager - Phage This episode made us feel out of breath as Dereth de-lungs our opinions and shows that early Voyager episodes can pack a few surprises! ---- *Trek Time is a 100% Charity Supporting Channel!* Check Our Website: https://trek-time.com Join The Discord: https://discord.gg/zKKHKwBB98 Follow Us On Twitch: https://twitch.tv/TrekTime Subscribe To Our Podcast: https://anchor.fm/s/256197a0/podcast/rss Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrekTime_ Follow Us On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/trektime.bsky.social Email: trek.time.charity@gmail.com

In this special episode I spoke with an international guest from my native country, Republic of Georgia, and global ambassador of a critical alternative solution against tough chronic infections and antimicrobial resistance on behalf of a global center of excellence in bacteriophage therapy, discovered over 100 years ago. My guest, Davit Sturua, Doctor of Business Administration, Public Health and Medical Tourism expert, is the director of the Eliava Phage Therapy Center, a global leader in real-world, clinical, research, and commercial experience with naturally occurring bacteriophage treatments. He discusses the Georgian center's 100-year old history and evolution, its extensive experience treating patients across 84 countries, explains the current global public health problem, and provides an update along with rationale on the recent growth in clinical studies investigating phage therapy across the globe in this part 1 of 2 episodes on this topic. Watch this episode with English subtitles to learn about how you, your friends, family, healthcare payers and experts, healthcare providers, patients and their loved ones can consider alternative options via telemedicine or in person to treat chronic, tough bacterial infections or prevent antimicrobial resistance. Stay tuned for the next episode (part 2) on this topic with my guest Dr. Dea Nizharadze, Chief Physician at the Eliava Phage Therapy Center, who delves deeper into the typical course of treatment, patient journey, and various scientific attributes of phage treatments. 0:00 Introduction 0:08 Introduction in English 2:19 Special Guest Mr. Davit Sturua, Director of Eliava Phage Therapy Center Introduction in English 4:34 Episode Introduction in Georgian (English subtitles) 4:53 Overview of Part 1: Overview of 100-year history of Eliava Phage Therapy Center, its advances, growth, current goals and Part 2: Scientific Rationale for phage treatment, appropriate patients, typical course of treatment, and access to care for patients worldwide 5:54 Davit's personal inspiration and history at the Eliava Center 10:27 How is EPTC raising awareness about phage therapy outside of Georgia? The center has treated patients from 84 different countries in 2023 alone. The majority of patients internationally who obtain care from EPTC suffer from various antibiotic-resistant or chronic infections. 12:20 5 million patients die from antimicrobial resistantce every year - underestimation, with tens of millions of deaths projected by 2050 13:04 Future Scientific and Commercial goals of Eliava Center to expand globally, standardize phage production to meet GMP standards, conduct randomized clinical studies and secure access for patients worldwide 15:23 Challenges in scaling phage production and quality standardization. Georgia is currently a global leader in commercial production of bacterial phage treatments. While only a few years ago there were only a handful of clinical studies conducted globally, currently there are over 50 clinical studies in 2023-2024 alone over the past year being conducted in the United States alone. Similarly, other European countries, particularly Great Britain are also actively pursuing and advancing clinical research in bacteriophage therapies. Government and research funding in phage treatment is therefore continuing to grow rapidly. 18:33 Final Greetings - Conclusion of Part 1. Invitation to partner across Europe and the U.S. with the Eliava Phage Therapy Center

An investigation into a strange disappearance leads to the unveiling of far stranger things lurking in the woods of Boyle County. This is the most recent story in the Contagion Cycle, which began with A Scratching at the Door and included Intruder and Scrubgrass. While listening to these isn't necessary to follow the plot of Spider's Phage, they give a lot of context and extra detail about the events leading to this tale. Music by CO.AG Music

Join Marshal and Keith as they trek into the Delta Quadrant with Captain Kathryn Janeway, Commander Chakotay, Tuvok, B'Elanna Torres and the rest of the crew and of the starship Voyager.   Stranded, they meet the Caretaker, theTalaxians, Kazon, Ocampa, Vidiians, and Baneans as they begin their perilous 75-year trek home looking for ways to speed their journey.To download, right-click here and then click SaveJoin the Journey Into Patreon to get extra episodes and personal addresses, plus other extras and rewards.Episode Title               Timecode00:03:19                       "Caretaker"00:28:08                       "Parallax"00:34:13                       "Time and Again"00:40:38                       "Phage"00:45:32                       "The Cloud"00:51:38                       "Eye of the Needle"00:57:07                        "Ex Post Facto" To comment on this or any episode:Send comments and/or recordings to journeyintopodcat@gmail.comLook for JourneyInto on Instagram, Threads, Facebook, or even X

Phage therapy has gained a lot of traction but the challenges created by this approach have not been properly assessed at a big scale. We often read about therapy successes on isolated cases but, rarely, we read or hear about failures. AAC recently published a case series of patients who failed phage therapy. Today, we will discuss this topic with the principal investigator on the research. Topics discussed: Phage therapy as an approach for MDR bacteria. The challenges of phage therapies. Issues that can influence the success of phage therapy Guest: Saima Aslam, MBBS. Director, Solid Organ Transplant Infectious Diseases Service, Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Diego. Article: Pseudomonas aeruginosa ventricular assist device infections: findings from ineffective phage therapies in five cases https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aac.01728-23 Questions Answered: How are we doing with phage therapy at this point? What are the challenges to deploy phage therapy in clinical settings? The 5 cases of failure of phage therapy in patients with LVADs summarized What factors did Dr. Aslam identify that were related with the failure? How do you develop neutralization against phages and how can you prevent it?   Bacterial isolates with varying phage susceptibility, how can this be detected? What did Dr. Aslam learn? Future research This episode is brought to you by the Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy journal available at aac.asm.org. If you plan to publish in AAC, ASM Members get up to 50% off publishing fees. Visit asm.org/membership to sign up. Visit journals.asm.org/journal/aac to browse issues and/or submit a manuscript.

TWiV discusses effectiveness of this season's flu vaccine, efficacy of Pfizer RSV vaccine, nOPV2 in the US, dengue in Peru, measles in Michigan and Indiana, how coordinated inflammatory responses dictate control of Marburg virus by reservoir bats, and tRNA acquisition in phages driven by degradation of host translational machinery. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit, Kathy Spindler, Brianne Barker, and Jolene Ramsey Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server MicrobeTV store at Cafepress Become a member of ASV (asv.org) The New City by Dickson Despommier Effectiveness of flu vaccine (MMWR, Eurosurveill) Efficacy of Pfizer RSV vaccine (Pfizer) Understanding six types of vaccine technologies (Pfizer) nOPV in US? (CDC) Dengue in Peru (Peruvian State) Measles in Michigan and Indiana Marburg virus control by reservoir bats (Nat Commun) tRNA acquisition by phages (Cell) Viruses of Microbes 2024 Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Weekly Picks Brianne – The reappearance of Lake Manly Kathy – “Practical Playbook for Addressing Health Misinformation” Rich – Making It So: A Memoir by Patrick Stewart Jolene – Thinking Like a Phage by Merry Youle Vincent – The Science of Leap Year Listener Picks Blog design – Anthony Fauci will reflect on his long government career in ‘On Call,' to be published in June Peter – Republican warns of vaccines being slipped into vegetables: ‘A polio vaccine in there' Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv

On this all-bacteriophage episode, TWiV explains the ‘vampire phage', and and how mammalian cells internalize phage particles and utilize them to enhance cell growth and survival. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, and Jolene Ramsey Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server MicrobeTV store at Cafepress Global Scholar Travel Awards (ASV) Research assistant position in Rosenfeld Lab CBER/FDA (pdf) The New City by Dickson Despommier Gerd Sutter passes (LMU) Avian influenza A (H5N1) Cambodia (WHO) CWD expands in Montana (CIDRAP) National Wastewater Surveillance System (CDC) Vampire phage paper (ISME J) UMBC phage hunters (UBMC) Vampire viruses prey on other viruses (Conversation) Phage internalized by mammalian cells (PLoS Biol) Phage uptake by mammalian cells (iScience) Phage-mammalian cell interactions (Ann Rev Virol) Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Weekly Picks Dickson – Biden skips climate summit (NY Times) Rich – Lilium electric VTOL jet Alan – The Far Land, by Brandon Presser Jolene – Bacteriophage T4 infection watercolor painting by David Goodsell Vincent – Using narratives and storytelling to communicate science with nonexpert audiences Listener Picks Darach – It depends t-shirt Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv

Nels and Vincent take apart an amazing symbiosis consisting of two bacteria, one bacteriophage, and seven different genomes all within a single-celled alga. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Links for this episode •Join the MicrobeTV Discord server •A single crowded cryptomonad cell (Curr Biol) •Letters read on TWiEVO 94 Science Picks Nels – What happened at NIH during the last government shutdown Vincent – Geneticist J. Craig Venter: ‘I consider retirement tantamount to death' Music on TWiEVO is performed by Trampled by Turtles Send your evolution questions and comments to twievo@microbe.tv