We are a group of faculty and first year graduate students who are embarking on a travel expedition into the microbial world. Check this site for a description of what we learn and see along the journey. You can also follow us on Twitter! @ClassMicro
We welcome your constructive feedback!
Broadening the Microbiome: Fungi in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)
Tina C.
March 7, 2022
https://asm.org/Articles/2021/July/Broadening-the-Microbiome-Fungi-in-Inflammatory-Bo
I recently read a blog post by Christy Clutter that discusses the role of fungi in Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is characterized by immune hyperactivation that damages the intestine of about 3 million Americans, and includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Although 240 genetic variations associated with increased likelihood of IBD development have been identified, epidemiological studies show that strong environmental factors such as diet, antibiotic exposure, and smoking can affect individual susceptibility.
Evolution of a Protective Symbiont in Honey Bees by Professor Irene Newton, PhD
Monique Porter
March 3, 2022
Speaker Background: Dr. Irene Newton, PhD, specializes in mechanisms of symbiosis; specifically, the molecular mechanisms of host-microbe symbiotic interactions. She obtained her PhD from Harvard University and conducted postdoctoral research at Tufts University. She is currently an associate professor at Indiana University.
Can Gut Microbes Cause Cancer?
Amelia Cephas
March 2, 2022
The Western-style diet is chock full of high fat, processed and refined foods that often cause systemic damage to the human body. One particular effect that high fat foods have on the body involves the microbes in the gastrointestinal tract. Many studies have shown the association between the colonization of a subset of microbes in the gut and colorectal and gastric cancer onset. The question of interest is: can what we eat really lead to the onset of gastrointestinal cancer?
A Tick's Meal
Kacie Traina
February 24, 2022
On episode 258 of the podcast “This Week in Microbiology”, Vincent Racaniello, Elio Schaechter, Michele Swanson, and Michael Schmidt discussed two main topics focused on anti-genetic variation within dengue virus serotypes and how a novel mRNA vaccine could induce antibodies against tick proteins to prevent transmission of Lyme disease.
Microbial Origins of Body Odor
Elizabeth Semler
February 23, 2022
Viruses can do that too?
Microbial_wanderlust
February 9, 2021
Bacteriophages, or phages, are a type of virus that specifically target bacteria for resources and reproduction1. The diversity of phages in size, functional capability, and genetic information is exponentially increasing as more are discovered and characterized. In general, phage infect a specific species of bacteria. Almost all phages have similar structures, consisting of a capsid “head” that stores genetic information and a “tail” that is used to interact with a host. Like other viruses, phages do not have a nucleus.
Skin microbiota: Roles in barrier maintenance & repair
Teresa Torres, @tsosciency
February 8, 2021
In recent years, the human microbiome began to be considered one of the major organs of the human body; it is defined as the collection of all the microorganisms living in symbiosis with the body (Human Microbiome Project, NIH).
Alcanivorax, an efficient cleaner of our oceans
Steven Wall
February 8, 2021
Our oceans are chock-full of microbes, from the clear blue waters to the darkest depths. In fact, the reason ocean water is so clear in some areas is due to the nearly perfect utilization of nutrients in the water. Even though many people might find the thought of bacteria disgusting, they are invaluable members of marine ecosystems. Along with other microbial life, they are responsible for the majority of the nutrient cycling that keeps everythi