Sunday, November 23, 2014

BacterioFiles 192 - Susceptibility Separates Streptococcus Strategies

Phylogenetic tree (Kilian fig 1)
This episode: Pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbes have different strategies for interacting with us, even when they have a common ancestor!

Download Episode (14.9 MB, 16.3 minutes)

Show notes:
Journal Paper

Other interesting stories:
  • Bacteria can transfer electrons around even without nanowires (paper)
  • Bacterial endophytes can inhibit/control plant pathogens (paper)
  • Seemingly harmless virus may kill hard-to-treat breast cancer
  • Bacteria protect fish from pathogen by preventing it from communicating (paper)
  • Microbes in soil can affect plant flowering


  • Post questions or comments here or email to bacteriofiles@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

    Subscribe at iTunes, check out the show at TwitterMicrobeWorld, or Facebook

    This show features music from Mevio's podsafe Music Alley.

    Monday, November 3, 2014

    BacterioFiles 189 - Saliva Slows Sprout Supporter

    This episode: Fungi living in grasses make toxic compounds to defend against herbivores, but some animals can overcome this defense with their saliva!

    Download Episode (5.4 MB, 5.9 minutes)

    Show notes:
    News item/Journal Paper

    Other interesting stories:
  • Early-life exposure to microbes seems linked to less asthma
  • Bacteria help tomato plants tolerate salt (paper)
  • Bacteria infecting mosquitoes could control malaria transmission
  • Phages are increasingly of interest for treating infections
  • Feeding healthy mice phage causes slight immune response and nothing else (paper)


  • Post questions or comments here or email to bacteriofiles@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

    Subscribe at iTunes, check out the show at TwitterMicrobeWorld, or Facebook

    This show features music from Mevio's podsafe Music Alley.