The podcast
Episode 15: Microbiology in fiction
Microbiology really is all around us - in films, books and even computer games. We talk about how the spread of infection is being modelled through a computer game, and we chat to Professor Joanna Verran about the Bad Bugs Book club.
Episode 14: Dead interesting!
This month we’re looking at the effect bacteria have on our bodies after we die. As well as trying to prevent decay through preservation, we talk about composting bodies and exactly what a decaying body can look like, in an interview with the author of “Stiff”, Mary Roach.
Episode 13: Birds and beer
We're talking food and drink for festive fun and keeping safe from the ravages of food poisoning this christmas. First we chat to Alison Kelly about interesting ways of preventing the spread of Campylobacter. Moving from food to drink, we hear from Katherine Smart about her brilliant brewing kits and how they're helping to keep our beer top quality!
Episode 12: Ancient microbiology
What can ancient specimens tell us about infectious disease? A lot apparently! This month we talk paleomicrobiology (that's the study of infectious disease microbes from ancient archeological specimens to you and me). Helen Donoghue explains how this fascinating discipline can hold so much information about the origin of infectious disease, including smashing the once-held belief that humans first acquired TB from cattle.
Episode 11: Beauty and the Beast
This month we talk about bioterror weapons and beauty treatments - who knew that they could both come from the same bacterium? We also ask if films effect peoples perception of bioweapons. Les Baillie explains what makes an effective bioweapon and how he and his colleagues are working to protect people against anthrax. Next we chat to Rick Titball about botulinum toxin and its use in beauty treatments.
Episode 10: Music to our ears.... of corn
This month sees a special bumper launch edition of micropod for you. Not only do we have a fabulous new jingle, but we're also twice the length of the normal podcast. We're talking (and listening to) music with an interview with Dr Carl Winter and his amazing food safety songs. We're also talking about genetic modification, Lucy G talks to Dr John Heritage and finds out exactly what GM means. Then Lucy H has a chat with Professor Nigel Poole about the media and GM and his experiences of getting genetically modified tomatoes onto supermarket shelves.
Episode 9: Humungous fungus
Despite the time of year, the recent bad weather in the UK has been a bonus for fungi with lots of unexpected fungal finds reported in the news. Also, August is the time of year for the celebration of an enormous organism in the USA which claims to be the largest and oldest organism in the world! Lucy H talks to Dr Steve Smith of Aston university about this 'humungous fungus' and all things fungal...
Episode 8: Microbial Communication
Can microbes talk? We don’t like it when they’re personified and made to look like evil creatures that are sitting beneath the rim of our toilet seats plotting against us. But, in fact, microbes DO talk to each other and Lucy G talks to an expert on quorum sensing, Dr Keith Stephenson. Then she catches up with Professor Mark Wilcox about the recent developments in Clostridium difficile research. And there's news too.
Episode 7: Microbes and cancer
Some microbes can have a protective effect against cancer, according to recent research. But they're not all good - many can cause cancer. Lucy H updates us on the latest news and Lucy G talks to Professor Eric Blair and Dr Adrian Whitehouse from the University of Leeds about their research on two oncogenic viruses: HPV and KSHV.
Episode 6: Food glorious food!
In the light of the recent (short) spell of good weather, we talk about the great british barbeque and give some sensible advice about how to stay healthy when cooking and eating 'al fresco'! Remaining on the subject of food, we ponder the benefits of probiotics and prebiotics and Lucy G talks to two experts in the field, Professor Glenn Gibson and Professor Bob Rastall of the University of Reading.
Episode 5: April fool!
April the 1st is now lurking in the distant past, but that won't stop us from discussing science spoofs and spoof science. If there's something that really gets on our nerves, it's bogus scientific claims. But there's hope for us yet - we talk to Alice Tuff, bogus-science-myth-buster from Sense About Science, about her quest for the truth. And there's some news too.
Episode 4: Bugs... in... SPACE!
Ever wondered if we're alone in the universe? Well so have we. This month, we're discussing protozoa on planets, faraway fungi, microbes on Mars, viruses on Venus... you get the picture. We talk to Lewis Dartnell, who knows a lot about these things. And there's the usual mix of news, chat and information.
Episode 3: STIs
Happy Valentine's Day! We talk about how microbes could help you be a better kisser. But it's not all cuddles and love-hearts; STIs can be an unwanted side-effect of Valentine's Day. We interview Professor Val Edwards-Jones about being the resident microbiologist on the TV series Embarrassing Illnesses.
Episode 2: hygiene and cleanliness
We wash our bodies every day, clean our clothes regularly and keep our houses spick-and-span. But are we really hygienic or just clean? We discuss the curse of the winter vomiting virus and talk to Professor Sally Bloomfield about sneezing and hand washing.
Episode 1: festive fungi (and bacteria, and viruses, and protozoa...)
We take a look at Christmas from a microbe’s eye view. Turkeys have it hard this year, those that didn’t get bird flu got killed anyway and the rest could be giving us salmonellosis on the 25th of December. Will you be eating turkey this Christmas? We talk to Lewis Dartnell, astrobiologist extraordinaire about life in the snow… and other Christmassy stuff.