This time on Life Unculturable, we welcome Dr David Westenberg into the studio. He's a seasoned professor in the department of Biological Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology, and talks to us about his adventures that led him to become a microbiologist and the importance of mentoring students. So, strap in for this rollercoaster ride of stories that include Carl Woese, agar art, a nuclear reactor and the therapeutic effects of dealing with biohazard waste!

If you're interested to learn more about Dave and his research, be sure to check out his website!

If you have any questions for Michael, Sam or Julia, let us know down in the comments below or on your favorite social media platform (Instagram, BlueSky, LinkedIn, YouTube, ..) @LifeUnculturable.

Life Unculturable is back! We're kicking things off after a short summer break with versatile guest with fascinating stories: Dr. Jack Gilbert, Professor at the University of California San Diego, Director of both the Microbiome and Metagenomics Center and the Microbiome Core Facility, and co-founder of the Earth Microbiome Project and the American Gut Project.

Jack takes us through the science behind FMTs — and the wild story of how he tried to cure dolphin diarrhea.

Want the latest from Jack? Check out his website or follow him on LinkedIn.

If you have any questions for Michael, Sam or Julia, let us know down in the comments below or on your favorite social media platform (Instagram, BlueSky, LinkedIn, YouTube, ..) @LifeUnculturable.

In this episode of Life Unculturable, finally, Michael sits down in front of a microphone and chats with Sam and Julia about all things science communication and social media. For those of our listeners who always wondered who Michael is - this is the episode for you! You've seen his artwork, read his weird questions on LinkedIn, now be ready to hear him talk.

If you have any questions for Michael, Sam or Julia, let us know down in the comments below or on your favorite social media platform (Instagram, BlueSky, LinkedIn, YouTube, ..).

Interested in biobanks and biobank networks? Check out BBMRI-ERIC here: https://www.bbmri-eric.eu/

In this episode of Life Unculturable, Sam and Julia talk about one of their favorite methods: microscopy. Tune in to find out why they are doing microscopy and what microscopy techniques they like best - and you might also find out why Sam will never agree to teach an Intro Microbiology lab again!

If you have any questions for Sam, Julia, or Michael, drop a comment on YouTube, Spotify, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. or send us an email at lifeunculturable@gmail.com!

In this episode of Life Unculturable, Sam and Julia talk all things data collection and then speculate about the yelp reviews on their bioinformatic performances and theorize on the dating profiles of anaerobes.

If you have any questions for Sam, Julia, or Michael, drop a comment on YouTube, Spotify, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. or send us an email at lifeunculturable@gmail.com!

In this episode of Life Unculturable, Sam and Julia walk us through their process of how to characterize and describe novel microbes. Tune in to find out what steps are required, what they do first, and how to validly publish a novel organism.

If you have any questions for Sam, Julia, or Michael, drop a comment on YouTube, Spotify, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. or send us an email at lifeunculturable@gmail.com!

In this episode of Life Unculturable, Sam and Julia sit down with Dr Melanie Eldridge from Black Cat Microbiome Consulting to learn all about navigating the ups and downs of academia and industry. Mel is a seasoned captain who has sailed both waters and is now offering her expertise through her two companies Black Cat Microbiome Consulting and Black Cat and Black Cat Genetic Testing.

Get in touch with Melanie Eldridge on LinkedIn and check out her website (https://www.blackcatmicrobiomeconsulting.com/)!

If you have any questions for us, drop a comment on YouTube, Spotify, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. or send us an email at lifeunculturable@gmail.com!

In this episode, Julia and Sam set out to talk about the special equipment you can find in anaerobic microbiology labs - and then quickly go off the rails to ramble about all things science (and non-science)