Microbe Talk - Sepsis, superbugs, and antibiotic stewardship

BugWatch, led by Dr Jonathan Cox from Aston University and the Microbiology Society, are collaborating on a very exciting opportunity to get involved in a UK-wide water quality testing programme over the Easter school holiday period.

In this month's Microbe Talk, Lilly chats with microbiologist Prof Wilhelmina Huston about what science knows so far about the relationship between the vaginal microbiome - the composition of microbes that live on and within the vagina - and sexual health, including her recent research investigating how the microbial composition of the vagina can impact susceptibility to painful conditions, like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). We also cover current treatments and where the future of treatment of STIs and other sexual health disorders is headed.

Chris McMillan and Chloe Entriken of the University of Queensland, Australia, take us behind the scenes of their latest publication 'Improved efficacy of an influenza DNA vaccine through high-density microarray patch delivery' published in the Journal of General Virology.

This year’s World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) takes place 18–24 November. The week takes place annually to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and encourage best practice among the public, One Health stakeholders and policymakers.

The latest edition of Microbiology Today is now available to read online. This issue, titled ‘Emerging Opportunities’, brings a positive view on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with innovative ways of tackling this threat using sustainable resources, such as seaweed and Matuba tree (Ficus natalensis) bark cloth. The issue highlights Access Microbiology the Society’s Open Access platform, the role of microbiologists in space exploration, and bacterial genomics and artificial intelligence (AI).

In January, to kick off the ‘Knocking Out AMR’ project, the Microbiology Society hosted a series of solution-oriented, invite-only workshops dedicated to our priority solution areas: diagnostics, surveillance, therapeutics and vaccines.