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Microbetv

@microbetv.bsky.social

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MicrobeTV is an independent podcast network for people who are interested in the life sciences. Our shows are about viruses, bacteria, parasites, evolution, immunology and neuroscience. microbe.tv/contribute

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · Feb 10

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Dickson Despommier.

A brilliant scientist, storyteller, and friend, he shared his vast knowledge and infectious enthusiasm with all who listened.

We will miss him dearly. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all who knew and loved him.
#🧪

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 1h

TWiP 266 explains research showing that treatment of baby wraps with an insect repellent, and oral dosing with ivermectin, are both effective measures to prevent malaria👇

TWiP 266: Wraps and ivermectin for malaria

YouTube video by MicrobeTV

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 1d

📺👇

TWiV 1258: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

YouTube video by MicrobeTV

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 1d

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello call out the President of the US for pushing a split MMR vaccine on a whim, and the HHS head for claiming Tylenol causes autism in pregnancy, which is completely untrue.

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 2d

Dr. Sean Gibbons discusses how “poop soups” are used as an experimental system to explore the microbiome and its impact on health.

Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 4d

Dr. Sean Gibbons, Associate Professor at the Institute for Systems Biology, returns to the Quality Quorum this week, to tell us about how he and his colleagues are able to listen very carefully to the microbiome to uncover important hints about health.
👇⬇️👇⬇️👇

Matters Microbial #110: Enumerating the Microbiome

YouTube video by MicrobeTV

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 4d

Perfect parody guys @marshfamilysongs.bsky.social especially in these nightmarish days

"Measles and Polio Down in the Schoolyard" - Marsh Family parody of Paul Simon "Me and Julio" on RFK

YouTube video by Marsh Family

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 4d

This Week in Virology Special from ESCV 2025 (European Society for Clinical Virology), Vincent speaks with Elke Wollants of KU Leuven, about a project to identify SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses in toilet waste from airplanes.

TWiV Special: Searching plane poop for viruses with Elke Wollants

YouTube video by MicrobeTV

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 4d

From Wednesday
night’s Office Hours livestream we discuss The Northeast Public Health Collaborative created in response to the new CDC vaccine regulations.

Excerpt from: Office Hours with Earth’s Virology Professor Livestream 10/01/25 8 pm ET

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 6d

Happy October! 🍂
Let’s meet tonight, lots to talk about See you at 8pm? 👇👇👇

Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 6d

🎯

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 6d

Dr Daniel Griffin and Dr Sara Dong discuss the @jama.com com article: Tracking County-Level Measles Cases in the

Excerpt from: Infectious Disease Puscast 90

Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 7d

We hear Montana’s not just good for cattle…Zappa said it’s great for growing dental floss. Perhaps that’s the boost our vaccines need? 🐁
@stephanielangel.bsky.social @cindyleifer.bsky.social @bioprofbarker.bsky.social

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 7d

Immune 96: How to floss a mouse 🐁

Immune discusses the potential future of delivering vaccines by flossing your teeth and how antibodies in human milk shape the normal immune responses in newborns.

Immune 96: How to floss a mouse

YouTube video by MicrobeTV

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 7d

Also! Immune podcast has episode 100 coming up and we’re filming in person at The Incubator in NYC!

Limited seats will be available by tiered donation details to come but right now, save the date: 12/22/25
time TBA
@bioprofbarker.bsky.social @cindyleifer.bsky.social @stephanielangel.bsky.social

Immune 100 text in white with drop shadow in background. Upper right corner reads following details in white “100th episode” “LIVE Recording at The Incubator” “New York, NY”
“Date: December 22 2025”

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 7d

Got a new Infectious Disease Puscast with @danielgriffinmdphd.bsky.social & @sarawinndong.febrilepodcast.com

On episode 90 of the Infectious Disease Puscast, Daniel and Sara review the infectious disease literature for the weeks of 9/12/25 – 9/24/25
👇👇👇

Infectious Disease Puscast #90

YouTube video by MicrobeTV

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🎃nisillos @onisillos.bsky.social · 8d

I have also had some things to say about this:

www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

and

www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

SARS-CoV-2 is a natural virus that found its way into humans through mundane contact with infected wildlife that went on to cause the most consequential pandemic for over a century. While it is scholarly to entertain alternative hypotheses, particularly when evidence is scarce, these alternative hypotheses have been implausible for a long time and have only become more-so with increasing scrutiny. Those who eagerly peddle suggestions of laboratory involvement have consistently failed to present credible arguments to support their positions.
Take the time to reflect on the paragraph above and how many words were expended to make the simple point that COVID-19 had a natural origin. This is because there are many people, most notably in the USA, with disproportionate influence who are poised to seize on less explicit statements to undermine a simple, and pretty straightforward, truth. These are the same people who are willing to malign individuals—a topical example being former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci—who dedicated themselves to understanding and lessening the impact of the pandemic.
The sheer hubris needed to underpin alternative hypotheses was an early signal of their tenuousness, when we are intensely aware that the natural processes needed to bring about this sort of pandemic are constantly churning and testing the boundaries between animal and human populations. The most remarkable thing about the whole COVID-19 origin saga is the confected controversy over something that should not be controversial at all. The thing that should be controversial is how little of the energy expended over this discussion has been directed towards actual beneficial outcomes.
To be frank, the fanciful ideas put forward by self-described free thinkers are more in keeping with popular movies than the realities of working with pathogens. It is admirable to pursue curiosity wherever it might lead and to reject the constraints of …

A year ago, August 2024, we addressed the state of discussions about COVID-19 origins in our Editorial COVID-19 origins: plain speaking is overdue. We did not lay out the evidence because the space we had available was not sufficient to address the points in detail. And the evidence was presented in a comprehensive and digestible fashion by the authors of the relevant research. Our focus was laying out the situation in a clear and uncluttered way, to counter the many commentators in the press who were giving their assessments based on what they wanted to believe (or what would make a more entertaining story) rather than what they could back up with evidence. Given the potential consequences, to pandemic prevention and public health in general, they were being irresponsible.
On June 27, 2025, WHO’s Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) published their report Independent Assessment of the Origins of SARS-CoV-2. This report provides an update in the context of information that has emerged since their 2022 report. The report outlines the most prominent hypotheses and reflects on the supporting evidence for each of them. They stress that they did not have access to raw data when preparing this report, and SAGO and WHO have requested further information from governments, including those that have made assertions about the origins of SARS-CoV-2: China, Germany, and the USA. At the time of writing the report this information had not been provided. Meaning that this report is based on published literature, not so-called intelligence touted by some governments.
The report outlines four hypotheses but essentially two are based on zoonotic spillover and two are based on a laboratory accident. The assessment in the report from the outset discounts one hypothesis from each of these broad categories due to a lack of evidence, although SAGO remains open to reconsideration if more evidence is forthcoming. Despite giving one of the laboratory accident hy…

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 7d

Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 8d

Psst…for the purposefully obtuse people in the back🫶

TWiV 1121: SARS-CoV2 still didn't come from a lab

YouTube video by MicrobeTV

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 8d

“They want to make people think they are saving babies from an unnecessary vaccination, but this is NOT the case here.” -VR

Excerpt from TWiV 1256: Clinical Update with Dr Daniel Griffin

Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 9d

Dr. Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello unpack last week’s CDC/ACIP move to table changes to the Hepatitis B birth dose, and what it means for practice.

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Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 10d

Wow! I was fortunate to be #TWiMAdjacent again on This Week in Microbiology. So wonderful to talk about fun and interesting microbiology papers with fellow microbial enthusiasts! @univpugetsound.bsky.social @ASMicrobiology @microbetv.bsky.social

youtu.be/CzvAgd0W0tk?...

TWiM 341: Sea star wasting disease

YouTube video by MicrobeTV

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Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 9d

And a new TWiP case to crack!

43F traveled to a farm near Rio de Janeiro for a 2 week dance class. After returning, she felt pricking sensations and “movements” under her scalp with three non-healing bumps. A month later, they enlarged and discharged fluid.

Hear the case in full 👇👇👇:

Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 9d

Today, September 28th, is World Rabies Day listen to Rodney Rohde as he chats with @markowenmartin.bsky.social about rabies & some of the strategies used to limit the influence of that devastating viral disease.

Matters Microbial 109: Bat-Crazy About Rabies

Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 11d

Once that (rabid) bite happens the virus starts working its way through the peripheral nervous system, eventually moving to the central nervous system and then ultimately, reaching the brain. -Rodney Rohde 👇

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🌺🦠🍄‍🟫_bioJen_🍄‍🟫🦠🌸 @zhjenyi.bsky.social · 11d

“Rabies is basically 100% fatal but also 100% preventable with vaccination”, 2 biology teachers discuss rabies, a “fascinating and diabolical” virus 🦠 that kills 50-60K/yr but 3-6/yr in USA bc of Vax.

A yearly celebration of Louis Pasteur (9/28) this Sunday is also 🌏World Wide Rabies 🐕 🦇 🐈 Day.

Microbetv @microbetv.bsky.social · 12d

Matters Microbial 109: Bat-Crazy About Rabies

Ahead of World Rabies Day (September 28th) @markowenmartin.bsky.social sits down with Dr Rodney Rohde, Regents Prof. at Texas State University to discuss rabies + some of the strategies used to limit the influence of this devastating viral disease🦇

Matters Microbial #109: Bat-Crazy About Rabies

YouTube video by MicrobeTV

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