Adventure Travel Guide to the Microbial World

Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by the agent Treponema pallidum that can result in a variety of symptoms and progressive complications if left untreated. Due to the fact that the symptoms of syphilis can be mistakenly attributed to a number of other diseases, it has been named “the great masquerader” (1).

            Anyone that occasionally glances at the news looking for a newfound faith in humanity or has even a remote interest in the microbial world has heard of MRSA. MRSA is short for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which means these particular, pathogenic bacteria are doing their part to increase the growing worldwide problem of antibiotic-resistance!

            Bacteria are often viewed in a negative manner as disease causing agents that are not kind to a human host.  Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) is the epitome of a “bad bug” that can be detrimental to human health.

In the “Circ du RNA” episode of the podcast This Week in Virology, Racaniello and colleagues interview Patrick Moore on his investigation into circular RNAs (circRNA) made by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV). Specifically, they delineate functions of the viral circRNAs, how they are formed, and some potential applications in EBV- and KSHV-related cancer diagnostics.

John Fowles, an acclaimed English novelist, wrote, “All good science is art. And all good art is science,” demonstrating the interdependence of these two disciplines. Microbiologists across the world strive to merge science and art in a novel way—by creatively plating bacteria on agar to produce microbial art. Dr.

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of a fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in modulating immunotherapeutic outcomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) subjects (Rosshart et al., 2017).

Whether blended into a smoothie, served as an ice cream topping, or accompanied by a pinch of sugar, strawberries are a worldwide fan favorite fruit. No matter the season, strawberries can be found at local farmers markets or in grocery stores and are notorious for their bright red color, fresh smell, and sweet, juicy taste.

Review of BacterioFiles Episode 395, Sept. 16, 2019: Many Microbiome Mindsets

When I think about the origins of antibiotics, I think of Alexander Fleming and his discovery of penicillin in 1928. However, I have, until recently, failed to consider the fact that bacteria and fungi produce their own antibiotics.

For about 200,000 years the average life expectancy for humans was around 30 years. However, within the last one hundred years the known life expectancy has increased, with the average now being about 70 years.