Federal research rule changes could reshape applied microbiology in America
On June 5, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed sweeping changes to federal grant administration that would fundamentally alter how applied microbiology research and development is funded and conducted in America.
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Azotobacter: a microbial route to green and sustainable ammonia
Ammonia is one of the most important chemicals in modern society. It plays a central role in global food production as the key ingredient in fertilizers that sustain nearly half of the world’s population. Beyond agriculture, ammonia has recently attracted growing attention as a potential carbon-free energy carrier and hydrogen ...
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Under the microscope: extremophiles of the Earth
Extremophiles are microbial organisms that live in extreme environments normally considered uninhabitable. Over the past few decades, extremophiles have been discovered in increasingly bizarre and unexpected environments around the globe, including within acid lakes, plastic recycling centres and even in radioactive sites such as Chernobyl.
Measuring and controlling an air fryer’s internal temperature for polymerase chain reaction
Read the second part in the journey to running PCR in an air fryer…
Losing the Earth’s bounty
Farmland degradation and soil erosion have caused food shortages and the collapse of civilizations throughout human history. Today, soil degradation is a growing driver of global threats such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. Loss of soil, the resource that supports production of 95% of the food supply, ...
Under the Lens video series
The Microbiologist: Under the Lens | Episode 3
Is raw milk safe to drink? Prof Emmanuel Adukwu is joined by Prof Nicola Holden and Dr Gil Domingue for a conversation on the societal, scientific, and health implications of this pertinent question.
The Microbiologist: Under the Lens | Episode 2
In our second episode, Dr Callum Cooper joins Professor Emmanuel Adukwu to talk about all things bacteriophage, from alternatives to antibiotics, social impact, and regulation.
The Microbiologist: Under the Lens | Episode 1
In our first episode, Professor Raquel Peixoto joins Professor Jack Gilbert for a deep dive into coral reefs, microbes, and the future of our planet.
The Microbiologist: Under the Lens | Episode 3
The Microbiologist: Under the Lens | Episode 2
The Microbiologist: Under the Lens | Episode 1
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Federal research rule changes could reshape applied microbiology in America
On June 5, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed sweeping changes to federal grant administration that would fundamentally alter how applied microbiology research and development is funded and conducted in America.
Fungi that inspired The Last of Us may hold the key to a pesticide-free agriculture
They may be the stuff of our nightmares, but Aditya Singh Ranout reveals how invisible allies underneath our feet in the form of entomopathogenic fungi are transforming agriculture - and why these fascinating microbes may hold the key to a pesticide-free agriculture.
Why cruise ships remain vulnerable to viral outbreaks - and how new technologies could help
A dream holiday can quickly become a public health challenge when thousands of people share the same dining rooms, elevators and living spaces. Recent viral outbreaks on cruise ships have shown just how vulnerable these floating cities remain to infectious diseases.
LAMECS 2026: An important milestone for early-career microbiologists
Ekramul Karim reveals why LAM ECS 2026 has been an important milestone in his own journey as an early-career microbiologist and how it has broadened his appreciation for the versatility of microbiology beyond biomedical and environmental settings.
LAMECS 2026: microbes, career motivation, and exploring life on Mars!
Jemima Swain reports back on her experiences of the Letters in Applied Microbiology ECS Symposium 2026 at Manchester Metropolitan University, which brought together almost 100 delegates for a day of scientific presentations, posters, careers talks, and opportunities for discussion and networking.
Accessibility, visibility, and participation - what AMI’s 2026 survey reveals about the future of applied microbiology
Applied Microbiology International’s 2026 Member Survey paints a picture of an organisation with strong foundations, a genuinely global reputation, and a highly engaged membership community, particularly among early-career microbiologists.
Researchers use friendly viruses to tackle inflammatory bowel disease
A research team has developed a targeted approach to treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using bacteriophages, viruses that infect specific bacteria, to disarm harmful microbes without disrupting the broader gut ecosystem.
New antiseptic capable of eliminating 99.9% of Candida parapsilosis cells
A 0.5% alcohol-based chlorhexidine antiseptic, combined with the natural organic compounds eugenol and menthol, can eliminate 99.9% of Candida parapsilosis cells. This fungus is one of the leading causes of infections in hospital settings.
Two companion papers explain immune ‘exhaustion’ - and how we might prevent it
Chronic and viral infections can literally exhaust certain key cells in the immune system from a constant barrage of attacks. But a new pair of papers has now pointed a way to understand how this exhaustion happens at a molecular level.
Food security
Food waste treatment can boost renewable energy, but a hidden brown byproduct may be holding it back
Researchers have identified a key chemical obstacle in turning food waste into renewable methane, offering a new semi-quantitative way to track melanoidins and showing that higher doses can severely damage the microbial system.
Clean Water
Biologist will use €1.63m grant to investigate how microorganisms reactivate their metabolism after prolonged dormancy.
Dr. Sofia Doello has been awarded a grant of around 1.63 million euros for her research through the Emmy Noether program. In her project ’Metabolic foundation of developmental transitions’, she will investigate how microorganisms reactivate their metabolism after a prolonged period of dormancy.
Climate oscillations shape nature’s coral refuges in a warming ocean
A new study reveals that the natural cooling of coral reefs in the Andaman Sea by oceanographic processes is not constant – but depends on major tropical climate patterns that shape conditions across the tropical Indo-Pacific.
