logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
53m 8s

326: I Have One Word For You: PETase!

VINCENT RACANIELLO
About this episode

TWiM explores the discovery of microbial enzymes, PETases, that can degrade ubiquitous plastics, and how exogenous peptidoglycan is a danger signal to trigger biofilm formation.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Michele Swanson.

Guest Mark O. Martin.

Subscribe to TWiM (free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android, RSS, or by email.

Become a patron of TWiM.

Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by Ronald Jenkees and used with permission.

Links for this episode

Send your microbiology questions and comments (email or recorded audio) to twim@microbe.tv

Up next
Jul 4
335: Slip Slidin’ Away
TWiM explains two strategies for bacterial competition for resources: by laying down a slippery lipid and pushing away competitors, or by breaking open cells with a spike, liberating essential nutrients. Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode: Secreting a slippery lipid ... Show More
50m 25s
Jun 20
334: Fungal Smuggle
TWiM describes how microbiological analysis of the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn has revealed an antimicrobial resistance reservoir and bioremediation potential, and fungicide resistance in Fusarium graminearum, the fungus recently smuggled into the US. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Mic ... Show More
56m 46s
Jun 7
333: When Mutualists Murder
TWiM explains how a mutualistic model bacterium can become lethal in a non-symbiotic host, and engineering a kill switch into a tuberculosis vaccine for improved safety. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Petra Levin and Michele Swanson. Subscribe to TWiM (free) on Apple ... Show More
58m 20s
Recommended Episodes
May 21
Do Mitochondria Talk to Each Other? A New Look at the Cell’s Powerhouse
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell—but new research suggests they might be far more complex. Columbia University’s Martin Picard joins Scientific American’s Rachel Feltman to explore how these tiny organelles could be communicating and what that might mean for e ... Show More
27m 4s
Jan 2025
Combatting Climate Anxiety through Community Science
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the news these days and to fear for the future. What if you could interrupt doomscrolling and contribute to conservation at the same time? That’s the idea behind programs like Adventure Scientists, eBird and iNaturalist. Guest Gregg Treinish, fo ... Show More
14m 34s
May 6
TWiV Special: A shot of HepB with Thomas Tu
From the 2024 International Hepatitis B virus meeting in Chicago IL, Rich Condit speaks with Thomas Tu about his experiences as a both a HepB scientist and patient. Host: Rich Condit Guest: Thomas Tu Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for ... Show More
25m 11s
Nov 2024
TWiEVO 108: A virus in every parasite
Nels and Vincent review the identification of a novel virus associated with the pathogen Plasmodium knowlsei and which is part part of a diverse and unclassified viral taxon. Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of T ... Show More
1h 18m
Jun 11
What ‘Immortal’ Jellyfish and Famously Old Tortoises Tell Us about Aging
Animals’ lifespans can be far shorter or much longer than those of humans. Scientists are researching creatures such as “immortal” jellyfish and long-lived tortoises and digging deep into genetic codes to figure out why animals age—and what we can do to improve longevity in human ... Show More
14m 27s
Jun 11
What ‘Immortal’ Jellyfish and Famously Old Tortoises Tell Us about Aging
Animals’ lifespans can be far shorter or much longer than those of humans. Scientists are researching creatures such as “immortal” jellyfish and long-lived tortoises and digging deep into genetic codes to figure out why animals age—and what we can do to improve longevity in human ... Show More
14m 27s
Oct 2024
Your Rundown of the Science Nobels, and Europa Clipper Is Delayed
Everything you need to know about last week’s physics, chemistry, and physiology or medicine Nobels. COVID could raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes years after original infection. Hurricane Milton causes tornadoes across Florida and delays the launch of Europa Clipper. R ... Show More
9m 24s
Feb 2025
TWiV 1189: Viruses making waves
TWiV notes the HHS communication pause, and describes research showing that rotavirus viroporin activity is necessary for intracellular calcium signals that contribute to viral pathogenesis, and control of human orthrflavivirus vaccine challenge by T cells in the absence of neutr ... Show More
1h 32m
Sep 2024
Ask a Chemist: Does raw milk have more bacteria? (and other questions)
Question and Response #60 New College-Style Sweatshirt! In this episode of 'Ask a Chemist' on the Chemistry for Your Life podcast, hosts Melissa and Jam tackle a diverse range of fun and fascinating chemistry questions. Topics include the differences between oxygen in water and a ... Show More
29m 55s
Feb 2025
Hors-série : Synthèse vocale, clonage de voix... L'intelligence artificielle va-t-elle nous couper la parole ?
Les comédiens de doublage sur le point d'être doublés ? Eh oui, le clonage vocal est en marche, et les voix mythiques de la VF ne sont plus à l’abri des algorithmes. Les chanteurs et les podcasteurs non plus, gloups. Du désastreux doublage IA de Sylvester Stallone à la promesse d ... Show More
48m 28s