Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2025
To celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2025, we’ve put together a collocation of our most relevant content. This collection explores the fascinating link between microbiology and neurodiversity, and shares neurodiverse experiences in STEM.
My autistic academic maze - and my advice to neurodiverse PhD students
In Neurodiversity Celebration Week, PhD student Joshua Yates reveals the challenges of pursuing a career in microbiology with autism and dyslexia - and his advice to others.
False belief in MMR vaccine-autism link endures as measles threat persists
As measles cases rise across the United States and vaccination rates for the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine fall, a new survey finds that a quarter of U.S. adults do not know that claims that the MMR vaccine causes autism are false.
Autism’s missing microbes may influence social behavior by protecting the gut
Scientists have added to mounting evidence showing that microbes that live in our guts influence behavior. Specifically, they found that in mice, frequent gastrointestinal distress can reduce social behaviors—an effect that persists even after GI symptoms have subsided.
Study reveals gut microbiome changes linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder
Researchers have found significant differences in both alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiome in individuals with ASD, and identify specific types of bacteria found at higher abundance in individuals with autism.
Autism-specific metabolic pathways linked to gut microbes
A reanalysis of previous studies has identified autism-specific metabolic pathways associated with particular human gut microbes - these were also seen elsewhere in autistic individuals, from their brain-associated gene expression profiles to their diets.
Scientists find ancient virus genome link to autism
An international research collaboration has made new discoveries regarding autism onset in mouse models.
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Microbiota transfer therapy boosts gut health in children with autism
Researchers have discovered that microbial taxa and genes that are important for microbial pathways associated with improvements in the physical and behavioural symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, improved following microbiota transfer therapy.
My PhD with ADHD - Ana Paula reveals lab life as a neurodivergent student
Microbiology PhD student Ana Paula Guevara-Cerdán has struggled with ADHD all her life without knowing it - but her diagnosis earlier this year transformed her life in the lab, as she tells The Microbiologist during ADHD Awareness Month.
Altered gut microbes may be linked to childhood ADHD susceptibility
New research suggests that the microbial composition of the gut may affect a child’s susceptibility to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Scientists reveal gut microbes’ hidden role in anxiety—Could probiotics be the next mental health breakthrough?
Scientists have discovered a crucial connection between gut microbes and anxiety-related behaviour, suggesting that microbial metabolites – specifically indoles – play a direct role in regulating brain activity linked to anxiety.
My autistic academic maze - and my advice to neurodiverse PhD students
False belief in MMR vaccine-autism link endures as measles threat persists
Autism’s missing microbes may influence social behavior by protecting the gut
Study reveals gut microbiome changes linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism-specific metabolic pathways linked to gut microbes
Scientists find ancient virus genome link to autism
Microbiota transfer therapy boosts gut health in children with autism
My PhD with ADHD - Ana Paula reveals lab life as a neurodivergent student
Altered gut microbes may be linked to childhood ADHD susceptibility
Scientists reveal gut microbes’ hidden role in anxiety—Could probiotics be the next mental health breakthrough?