Be inspired by some of the world’s leading microbiologists, discover the work of laboratories around the world, get advice on key topics and find out about exciting career opportunities in the world of microbiology.
Be Inspired
Fascinating exchange of ideas at 6th Plant Microbiome Symposium - and new collaborations are already starting
Last month Applied Microbiology International supported the 6th Plant Microbiome Symposium in Antequera, Spain, funding 17 travel grants for early career researchers to attend. Organiser Dr Victor Jose Carrion Bravo reports back on a vibrant exchange of ideas.
AMR in aquatic ecosystems: A One Health investigation in an irrigation dam in Thailand
Dr Kwanrawee Joy Sirikanchana outlines how her team has launched a major project to address an overlooked question: How much does aquaculture contribute to AMR in shared water systems, and what does this mean for people, animals, and wildlife living around them?
The Future is Fungi 2025: award-winner Michroma’s mission to harness fungi for clean food dyes and flavors
Winner of The Future is Fungi Award 2025, US and Argentina-based foodtech startup Michroma is replacing petrochemical coloring with fungibased natural ingredients, launching one of the world’s leading sustainable platforms for food flavors and colors. Here’s its story.
Summer studentship: Oliver probes AMR in neonatal sepsis - and use of novel bacterial screening methods.
Oliver Spiller-Boulter, from Cardiff, reports back on his AMI-sponsored summer studentship which examined antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in neonatal sepsis and the use of novel bacterial screening methods.
The Space Microbiology Group
The Space Microbiology Group studies how microorganisms behave in space conditions, using tools such as microbiology, molecular biology, system biology and geomicrobiology to learn how new biotechnologies could be applied to space.
The Rahlff lab
The Aero-Aquatic Virus Research Group led by Dr. Janina Rahlff conducts basic research on microbial viruses from the surface microlayer, which is the 1-mm thick ‘skin’ of a water body’s surface, and in atmospheric ecosystems.
The Microbial EcoGenomics and Biotechnology Lab (MEGBLab)
At MEGBLab, our mission is to advance the understanding of microorganisms and their crucial role in environmental sustainability.
Laboratorio Calidad de Aguas
The Water Quality Laboratory of the National University of Salta, founded by Dr Mónica Salusso and Dr. Liliana Moraña, is going from strength to strength - but faces challenges posed by major budget cuts to science and research in Argentina.
The Babalola Lab
The Babalola Lab examines the interplay between plants and plant growth-promoting rhizobiome in plant health management using high throughput sequencing
Study reveals promising gut-targeted therapy for C. difficile infections
Researchers have uncovered how the body’s bile acids bind to block C. diff’s most dangerous toxin. The research has informed the development of a new compound that can protect against C. diff in preclinical models, offering hope for safer, more effective treatments.
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Summer studentship: Lucy creates a synthetic microbiome to study mosquito-borne diseases at different life stages
Lucy Ella Malvern reports back on her AMI-sponsored summer studentship which investigated microbiome assembly in mosquitoes across developmental stages.
Inside the gut: What our poo could tell us about our diet, gut microbes and health
Researchers have found that molecules in stool samples can accurately reflect what people eat and how their gut microbiome responds, offering a potential new tool to study nutrition and its impact on health.
Deep sea microbes yield up their engineering secrets
A biomatrix of tiny tubes of protein, known as cannulae, link cells of the thermal vent-dwelling archaeon Pyrodictium abyssi together into a highly stable microbial community. A study reveals new details about the elegant design of the cannulae and their method of construction.
Advice
Next-gen microbiologists: from innovators to business leaders
Today, we need microbiologists to be not only academics or researchers but also budding innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. Career possibilities in this domain are vast, as people can build their own ventures, become policy makers, and employers.
Navigating mid-career challenges in biotech, pharma, and life sciences amid sector-wide layoffs
The current economic climate has cast a shadow over biotech, pharmaceutical, and life sciences industries, with widespread layoffs and restructuring efforts creating an atmosphere of uncertainty.
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.
The true cost of science
Discover valuable insights from three companies in the microbiology field, and their experience of balancing innovation, investment, and sustainability to drive their success.
Nine to five
A day in the life of Associate Practitioner in Microbiology
Discover the role, the challenges, and key opportunities for the future.
The role of clinical microbiologists in HAIs, AMR and beyond
A clinical microbiologist describes the key roles and technological challenges encountered in a typical day.
A Day in the Life of a Microbiologist at ACEWATER
My journey began in 2020 as a PhD student in Environmental Microbiology at Redeemer’s University, and I’ve since been immersed in the fascinating world of microbiological research. My work at the African Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ACEWATER) presents a variety of challenges and rewards as I explore the ...
A day in the life of a phage expert
Nicolás Cifuentes is Head of Research Projects and Phages at PhageLab, Chile, which offers tailor-made solutions to control bacterial outbreaks in the livestock and poultry industries.
A day in the life of a pipeline lead
A dip into the world of colourful fabrics and microbial engineering - Alicia Russell of Colorifix shares her experience designing, coordinating, and crafting pigments for a spectrum of colours.
