Plastic waste in our oceans is a significant problem, but some bacteria might offer a solution. Did you know that certain bacteria can break down plastic?

Plastic pollution affects wildlife and can even enter our food and water. As plastic production increases, finding better ways to manage this material is essential.

Current recycling methods are not very efficient. Most plastic ends up in landfills or the environment after just one use, and it can take centuries to degrade.

Researchers are investigating plastic-degrading microbes and enzymes that could improve recycling. These microbes can break plastic into its original building blocks, allowing for more effective recycling.

Join me as I talk with Angie Beckett, a researcher at the University of Portsmouth, about the potential of plastic-degrading microbes to enhance recycling and reduce plastic pollution.

In this episode, we will explore:

• The discovery of plastic-eating bacteria
• How microbes break plastic down and their potential for large-scale use
• Challenges in finding and engineering efficient plastic degraders
• Using portable DNA sequencing to discover new microbial solutions
• The importance of collaboration in applying microbiology to real-world problems
• At-home microbiology activity: Find Plastic-Degrading Bacteria via Sequencing Simulation

JOYFUL MICROBE SHOW NOTES: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/plastic-degradation-angie-beckett/

AT-HOME MICROBIOLOGY ACTIVITY: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/plastic-degrading-bacteria-activity/

JOYFUL MICROBE TWITTER: https://twitter.com/joyfulmicrobe/

JOYFUL MICROBE INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/justineldees/

SUPPORT JOYFUL MICROBE: https://ko-fi.com/joyfulmicrobe/

Have you ever noticed the colorful growths on trees and rocks but weren't sure what they were? Lichens are all around us yet often overlooked. They play important roles in ecosystems and can even indicate air quality. Many people don't fully understand these symbiotic organisms or appreciate their significance.

In this episode, you'll learn about the fascinating world of lichens from lichenologist Dr. Jessica Allen. We discuss what lichens are, their importance in nature, how they live, and how we can appreciate these miniature ecosystems all around us. You'll come away seeing lichens in a whole new light!

Topics covered in this episode:

• What are lichens?
• Lichens as miniature ecosystems harboring diverse microorganisms
• Important roles of lichens
• How lichens live on a wide range of surfaces and obtain nutrients
• Using lichens to monitor air quality
• The varied lifespans of lichens
• Uses of lichens from dyes to medicine
• Lichen myths
• At-home microbiology activities: 3 hands-on activities to explore and appreciate lichen diversity

JOYFUL MICROBE SHOW NOTES: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/lichen-basics-jessica-allen/

AT-HOME MICROBIOLOGY ACTIVITIES: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/3-lichen-activities/

JOYFUL MICROBE TWITTER: https://twitter.com/joyfulmicrobe/

JOYFUL MICROBE INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/justineldees/

SUPPORT JOYFUL MICROBE: https://ko-fi.com/joyfulmicrobe/

Have you ever noticed little white fluffy spots or yellowish patches on your lettuce at the grocery store? This could be downy mildew, a microbe that infects lettuce and other leafy greens.

This microbe might not be well-known, but it's of great importance due to its effects on the agriculture industry and the food we buy. It poses a significant challenge for farmers by potentially wiping out entire crops. If we unknowingly purchase lettuce or herbs infected with downy mildew from the organic section, we might end up with unappealing produce.

Understanding downy mildew can help us make informed choices at the store and gain insight into the challenges faced by farmers in controlling this pathogen.

So, in this episode we'll learn about downy mildew from plant pathology researcher Dr. Kelsey Wood. She'll explain what this organism is, how to identify it, and the latest research aiming to control it in a more sustainable way. We'll also cover its life cycle, genetics, and impacts on agriculture. Tune in to discover this intriguing plant pathogen.

Topics covered in this episode:

• What downy mildew is and its life cycle
• Why downy mildew is not a fungus
• How downy mildew spreads
• Downy mildew’s impact on agriculture
• Spotting downy mildew in your local grocery store
• Discovering a highly resistant lettuce variety
• At-home microbiology activities: grocery store hunt and vinegar wash experiment

JOYFUL MICROBE SHOW NOTES: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/downy-mildew-kelsey-wood/

AT-HOME MICROBIOLOGY ACTIVITY: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/downy-mildew-activity/

AT-HOME MICROBIOLOGY ACTIVITY: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/mold-vinegar-wash-activity/

JOYFUL MICROBE TWITTER: https://twitter.com/joyfulmicrobe/

JOYFUL MICROBE INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/justineldees/

SUPPORT JOYFUL MICROBE: https://ko-fi.com/joyfulmicrobe/