Show Notes
Matters Microbial #126: Squid Eggs Come With Antifungal Frosting March 24, 2026 Today Dr. Spencer Nyholm, Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut, and Director of the Professional Science Master's Program in Microbial Systems Analysis, joins the Quality Quorum to discuss his research group's work exploring how some squid have harnessed microbes to protect their eggs against pathogens! Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Spencer Nyholm Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is an overview of coral reef symbioses. The website for the famed Microbial Diversity course at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole—a superb and life changing experience for any microbial scientist. An extremely fun video by Ed Yong (featuring Dr. Ned Ruby and Dr. Margaret McFall-Ngai) about the Euprymna scolopes – Vibrio fischeri symbiosis. Prior #MattersMicrobial podcasts related to Euprymna scolopes symbioses from Dr. Ruth Isenberg, Dr. Mark Mandel, and Dr. Margaret McFall-Ngai. The website for Dr. Ruby and Dr. McFall-Ngai which is so very worth your time. An overview of the power of confocal laser microscopy. The Clasi-FISH technique developed by Dr. Jessica Mark Welch (who also was on this podcast, here). The mass spectrometry approach to learning about small bioactive molecules, used by Dr. Marcy Balunas (who also was on this podcast, here). The concept of lightsheet microscopy. Dr. Nyholm discussed his article during the podcast, an overall review of the squid-Vibrio symbiosis. Dr. Nyholm discussed this article during the podcast, from his research team, describing how accessory nidemental gland microbes can protect squid eggs from fungal attack. Dr. Nyholm discussed this article during the podcast, from his research team, describing the development of the accessory nidemental gland and its microbiota. Dr. Nyholm discussed this article during the podcast, describing early work from his research team (including a former undergraduate student of mine!), exploring the microbes associated with the ANG. Concerns about fungal disease and global climate change, described by Dr. Arturo Casadevall (who was on this podcast, here). Searching for BGCs (biosynthetic gene clusters) in hopes of finding antimicrobial compounds. A link to Dr. Nyholm's faculty webpage. A link to Dr. Nyholm's laboratory group webpage. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to [email protected]
More from Matters Microbial
Matters Microbial #141: How Tardigrades Survive What We Do To Them October 20, 2026 Today Dr. Molly Jane Kirk, postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at UC Santa Barbara, joins the quality quorum to discuss her research fascination with the biology and resilience of a microscopic multicellular eukaryote, the famous tardigrade.
Matters Microbial #140: Out of Many, One — Coral and Jellyfish Holobionts October 7, 2026 Today Dr. Monica Medina, Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA, joins the quality quorum to discuss how organisms are made up of myriad other organisms—the holonbiont concept. Dr. Medina and her research group focus on studying this in jellyfish and coral.
Matters Microbial #139: How Listeria Gets By With a Little Help From Its Friends September 23, 2026 Today Dr. Jasna Kovac, Huck Chair in Microbiomes in Food Safety and Associate Professor of Food Science at Penn State University (and active member of Penn State's One Health Microbiome Center) joins the quality quorum to discuss how understanding the microbiome in food processing facilities can help reduce the incidence of food borne illnesses, including Listeria. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Jasna Kovac Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is an overview of Listeria as a microbe. Here is an overview of Listeria pathogenesis. A video showing "actin rockets" moving Listeria around inside of a eukaryotic cell. Overview from the CDC regarding Listeria. Prior #MattersMicrobial podcast about Listeria by Dr. Lisa Gorski. An overview of microbial food safety issues. Description of the cantaloupe associated Listeria outbreak. Description of the caramel apple Listeria outbreak. An overview of whole genome sequencing as a diagnostic tool. A video description of MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) relationship between microbes and antimicrobials. An overview of biofilms. A prior #MattersMicrobial podcast about biofilms with Dr. Matthew Fields. The One Health Concept linking many aspects of everyday life to microbiology. A description of Sanger 16S rRNA sequencing. An overview of MPN (most probably number) analysis in microbiology. A video describing the very useful LIVE/DEAD dye approach in microbiology. Microbiology and sanitizers. An overview of EPS (extracellular polysaccharides). Description of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms). An overview of the lineages of Listeria. A description of Dr. Kovac's approach to precision food safety. A nice description of Dr. Kovac's evaluation of tree fruit processing plants described in this podcast. A wonderful video presentation by Dr. Kovac. Dr. Kovac's academic website. The research laboratory website for Dr. Kovac and colleagues. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to [email protected]
Matters Microbial #138: Sightseeing the Microbial World September 8, 2026 Today Dr. Monika Oli, Instructional Professor of the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida joins the quality quorum to discuss how she teaches microbiology students to view the topic through a global lens as a study abroad program. Her approach demonstrates how travel enriches scientific understanding, broadens cultural perspectives, and prepares students to become globally engaged microbiologists equipped to address the challenges of an interconnected world.
Matters Microbial #137: The Living Skin of Our Planet August 25, 2026 Today Dr. Estelle Couradeau, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University, joins the quality quorum today to discuss the role that the soil microbiome can play in terms of agriculture, moderating temperature, and protecting specific environments.