8 min read
Are you getting tired of reading microbiology textbooks and journal papers? What if you could send spectacular microbiology content straight to your brain while you're driving, walking, or working with your little tardigrades?
You’ve come to the right place. Below are our favorite microbiology podcasts in 2024. There's a huge variety here, from the latest breakthroughs in the microbe world to learning fun microbiology facts in everyday life. We even fully hyperlinked every social media account and listening platform.
Happy listening!
Episode Length: 1 hour
Frequency: Weekly
Vincent Racaniello and friends host This Week in Microbiology, a podcast on Earth's microscopic life. We like the comprehensive coverage of microbiology combined with the inclusion of current events like COVID-19. They've also done a few retrospective shows, such as one on Carl Woese's life and work.
Each of the hosts makes you feel as though you've known them for years. Although the discussion might become quite technical at times, they clearly make an effort to explain any terms or acronyms that a layperson might not be familiar with. Once you start listening, you can't stop!
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Castbox, Stitcher
Main page: https://www.microbe.tv/twim/
Episode Length: 30-90 minutes
Frequency: Weekly
Tess Deyett, Ph.D., and pharmaceutical microbiologist Jon Mitchell host The Microbe Moment, which features science stories and news for microbe enthusiasts. If you want to learn more about microorganisms but don't want to sit down and read about them, this is a great way to do so in a short episode format.
They do an excellent job of explaining the microbe's history and origins and tying them to current knowledge, such as how Alexander Fleming found the fungus that produces penicillin, which led to the development of antibiotics that drastically reduced the number of people dying from infection. Throughout the podcast, they layer in some funny commentary, which makes it enjoyable to listen to while still learning! Definitely a great podcast during daily commutes!
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Castbox, Stitcher
Main page: https://www.microbigals.com/
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Episode Length: 5-20 minutes
Frequency: Weekly
BacterioFiles is a fantastic podcast for microbe fans, including stories on bacteria, archaea, and occasionally even eukaryotic organisms and viruses. We enjoy how this podcast discusses interesting and potentially useful findings while also providing listeners with a crash course on the context in which they were discovered. They even select intriguing papers to summarize, explaining the methodology and results. This podcast is a wonderful place to start if you're interested in or studying Microbiology.
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Castbox, Stitcher
Main page: http://www.bacteriofiles.com/
Follow them on Facebook and Twitter
Episode Length: 40-60 minutes
Frequency: Monthly
Meet the Microbiologist lets us peek into the life of a scientist and what's going on in cutting-edge research today by revealing more about microbiologists and their work. Every week, the host of this podcast interviews a different microbiology-related expert and asks them questions about their research, interests, and perspectives. It's a simple interview format which gives the listeners a compact introduction to each person’s work. This is a fountain of knowledge without off-topic chit-chat or discussion.
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Castbox, Stitcher
Main page: https://asm.org/Podcasts/MTM
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Episode Length: 40-60 minutes
Frequency: Yearly
MicroTalk is a great podcast if you want to hear from researchers in the field of infectious diseases. Karl Klose and colleagues from the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID) host the show. The podcast covers a wide range of intriguing microbiology-related subjects. The hosts communicate in a conversational tone, giving the impression that you are simply listening to them chat, making it easier to catch up on the main points of all the varied topics. The mystery case called microCase, in which listeners try to solve a case presented by the hosts is my favorite part of the podcast. It's a perfect listen while sipping your daily coffee for some morning inspiration.
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Castbox, Stitcher
Main page: https://asm.org/Podcasts/microTalk
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Episode Length: 20-30 minutes
Frequency: Monthly
The Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) has launched a new podcast, Microbes and Us (FEMS). Joseph Shuttleworth and Eleni Koursari, FEMS communication gurus, bring in guests from the microbiology field to discuss issues from all over the microbial realm in each monthly edition.
What it takes to do microbiology research in Antarctica, six fascinating microorganisms and microscopic species that you may not be aware of, bacterial ecology and evolution, and much more are among the huge range of topics explored. This podcast is worth a listen for anyone from a microbe enthusiast to a professional microbiologist.
Listen on: Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Podcast, Castbox
Main page: https://fems-microbiology.org/welcome-to-our-new-podcast-microbes-and-us/
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Episode Length: 10-30 minutes
Frequency: Monthly
Microbe Talk, a podcast produced by the Microbiology Society (the largest microbiology society in Europe) features interviews with microbiology researchers. It's a series of short podcasts hosted by Matt and Laura discussing interesting and hot issues in the world of microbes. They also have a monthly episode called MicroNews, in which the hosts review some of the recent news stories around microbes and microbiology. It's a fun channel for anyone interested in microbiology!
Listen on: Spotify, Podomatic, Castbox, Stitcher
Main page: https://microbiologysociety.org/news-press-new/podcast-microbe-talk.html
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Did you hear we made a Microbiology word magnet set to encourage creativity and self-expression in labs, classrooms and offices? Each specialty pack comes with 144 tiles carefully designed by a PhD in that field for technical accuracy and tacit absurdity.
The Microbiology word magnet set was designed by Dr. Susanna L Harris, who chose words to make it both science-y and humorous. Grab a set for your lab or desk here with free shipping in the USA!
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Episode Length: 10-60 minutes
Frequency: Monthly
Even if you don't consider yourself a microbiology or science geek, this accurately titled podcast will lift your spirits with microbial learning. Dr. Justine Dees interviews a variety of microbiology experts in the Joyful Microbe podcast to discuss the enormous variety of tiny organisms that have an impact on humans every day, from lichens to fungi. She and her guests are so enthusiastic about their work and microbiology that you can't help but be inspired and eager to learn more. They also break down the concepts in a way that everyone can grasp, and I have to admit, I'm always left in a good mood! You can also check out the Joyful Microbe blog for more microbiology content!
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Castbox, Stitcher
Main page: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Episode Length: 20-30 minutes
Frequency: Twice a month
Microbe Mail is a medical podcast for the time-pressed practitioner or student that covers topics such as microbiology, infectious diseases, and infection control. Vindana Chibabhai hosts the podcast, and she is passionate about microbes (of course), antimicrobial resistance, fungal infections, and...just let's say the list goes on! She excels at being as accurate as possible, digging into subjects with great attention and research. Her conversations are entertaining to listen to since she's always looking for new ways to engage with her guests and learn more about microbiology and infections. You’re guaranteed to learn something new each and every episode.
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Castbox
Main page: https://microbemail.captivate.fm/episode/presenting-microbe-mail
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Episode Length: 30-60 minutes
Frequency: Weekly
This podcast is for you whether you're a student just starting out in the field, or if you just want to stay up to date on what's new in the world of bioinformatics and microbiology. The hosts came from various institutions and shared their years of experience in microbial bioinformatics, as well as some tips and techniques they've picked up along the way.
The podcast makes you feel like you're listening to three friends discussing a common subject for half an hour. They do an excellent job of delivering knowledge to the general public in a clear and understandable manner. The show is chock-full of useful information, with a dash of wit and hilarity thrown in for good measure.
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Castbox, Stitcher
Main page: https://microbinfie.github.io/conference2020/about-podcast/
Episode Length: 30-60 minutes
Frequency: Twice a month
The American Society for Microbiology Journals' official podcast, Editors in Conversation, provides a fun and interesting conversations between ASM Journals Editors, researchers, and doctors working in the microbial sciences. The podcast is aimed towards microbiologists, as well as infectious disease doctors, pharmacists, and basic, clinical, and translational researchers who are interested in microbial sciences.
Antimicrobial resistance, infection epidemiology, multidrug-resistant organisms, antimicrobial pharmacology, and more are among the regular topics covered. Even though it is a little too scientific for a complete beginner to understand, the majority of listeners will learn something new.
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Castbox, Stitcher
Main page: https://asm.org/Podcasts/Editors-in-Conversation
Episode Length: 1-2 hours
Frequency: 2-3 times a week
This Week in Virology is another excellent podcast from The American Society for Microbiology, this time focusing on viruses. The hosts are researchers with diverse backgrounds who will educate you on different aspects of virology and they even have a segment that will keep you up to date on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each podcast is jam-packed with knowledge that is accessible to a wide range of listeners. Each presenter has a distinct personality and they always sound like they enjoy their work, which is infectious! For interested listeners, you should check out the Vincent Racaniello virology course on YouTube. It's awesome, and it's completely free!
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Castbox, Stitcher
Main page: https://www.microbe.tv/twiv/
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Episode Length: 1-2 hours
Frequency: Monthly
Immune is a fantastic podcast for anyone interested in learning more about the body's natural defenses against sickness. This podcast utilizes good references, sources, and professionals in their fields as guests. The hosts and guests provide in-depth explanations of the current topics. They explain and describe things with a focus on the fundamentals before moving on to the more technical elements. It's surprisingly addictive and will keep you inspired and intrigued. It's also an excellent resource for microbiology students.
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Castbox, Stitcher
Main page: https://www.microbe.tv/immune/
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Episode Length: 1-2 hours
Frequency: Monthly
This Week in Parasitism is a fantastic podcast that will teach you about the tiny creatures who share your body, as well as the bodies of other animals and sometimes invertebrates. This podcast was prepared by the same network that brought you This Week in Microbiology (TWiM) and This Week in Virology (TWiV), two other highly rated podcasts. It's interesting, well-done, and makes you feel like you're listening to a group of friends discussing science, much like their other podcasts. Even if you don't have the technical background, it's a terrific listen for anyone with an enthusiasm for microbes. It includes a wide range of subjects, ranging from clinical medicine to basic science. It's the ideal podcast to listen to while doing tasks around the house or driving to work.
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Castbox, Stitcher
Main page: https://www.microbe.tv/twip/
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Episode Length: 10-50 minutes
Frequency: Few times a year
Grow Microbiology is a short audio podcast series dedicated to the exchange of microbiology-related ideas, best practices, teaching techniques, educational solutions, and other intriguing topics. This podcast is more appropriate for microbiology students, teachers, and professors, as it contains useful material that they may use to develop curriculum and learning activities. This podcast covers a variety of topics, including how to prepare for a microbiology exam, how to make a boring microbiology lesson interesting, vaccines and COVID-19, and much more.
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Castbox, Stitcher
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