You’re mostly microbes!

The plagues of our modern society include diabetes, allergies, asthma, obesity, autism, and numerous digestive system disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease. The symptoms and difficulties inherent with each of these diseases is different. However, modern molecular biology research techniques have revealed a commonality. People with each of these ailments have a microbiome that is strikingly different from that of healthy people. Micro-bio-what? This blog, Mostly Microbes, explores the interactions between microbes and us, their human hosts. In particular, I focus on the importance of the human microbiome for and during pregnancy, birth, infancy, and early childhood. What is the microbiome? The microbiome is all the microbial cells living in a particular location [1]. In the case of humans, the human microbiome includes over 100 trillion bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live in or on your body [2]. Perhaps as much as ten times more microbes make up your body than human cells [2] (though new estimates [3] put the number of human cells at 3.72 trillion instead of 10 trillion). You are their home. You may have immediately thought “ew- I want to wash my hands now!”, but hold on a minute. The

Kids Reading Round-up: Germs, Germs, Germs

Looking for books on microbes? Most folks start with “germ” – a term making you squirm. (I can’t resist the rhyme this time.) Generally, you’ll open germ books up and learn about the importance of washing your hands. This “Reading Round-up” features several newer “germ” kids’ books, including ones that balance the stories of sickness and “germs” with non-pathogenic microbes and scientific advances! Here’s one microbiologist’s reviews. Germs Up Close Sara Levine. Millbrook Press. (2021), Ages 4-8. “A classical reference book on common pathogenic viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and fungi”. Summary: Germs Up Close is a great reference book for kids looking for lists of microbes that cause disease. Made up of sections based on the broad classifications of microbes, there is an initial introduction to the microbial group followed by profiles of individual microbes of that group. Each microbe has their own “rap sheet”: Name, pronunciation, appearance, habitat, diseases it causes, more to know. What I like: Germy Science: The Sick Truth about Getting Sick (and Staying Healthy) Edward Kay, author and Mike Shiell, illustrator. Kids Can Press. (2021), Ages 7-11. Summary: “A kids encyclopedia of “germs” from ancient to modern times.” Germy Science: The Sick Truth about Getting Sick

Reading Roundup: What’s in Your Gut, Kids?

As a microbiologist, mom, and science communicator I am THRILLED that so many books are beginning to be written and published on beneficial microbes and microbiomes, especially human gut microbiomes. Microbes are essential to our health and the health of our planet.

Book Review: June Almeida, Virus Detective!

June Almeida, Virus Detective! The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus is a beautifully illustrated, non-fiction picture book chronicles the scientist, June Almeida, and her scientific process of identifying and naming viruses, specifically the group of “crowned” coronaviruses. June Almeida, Virus Detective! The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus. By Suzanne Slade Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli Published by Sleeping Bear Press (April 2021), Ages 4-8. “I wanted to give young readers more confidence in the (pandemic) world we live in by educating them about an important, influential, but unknown woman scientist – June Almeida.” Suzanne told me. Like all of us, Suzanne felt unsettled by the COVID pandemic Spring 2020. She searched for answers. A National Geographic article about June Almeida provided answers and inspiration. Learning that coronaviruses were discovered 30 years ago by a “forgotten woman scientist”, Suzanne knew she had to bring June’s story to the world. Suzanne Slade put her other book projects on hold. Sleeping Bear Press brought Elisa Paganelli on board and this amazing, inspiring picture book biography was born. I am so thankful they did. June Almeida, Virus Detective! perfectly captures how a dedicated, passionate scientist brings forth new understanding to the

Getting Buy-In for college COVID Vaccination Plans

Motivating college students toward COVID vaccinations must include campus peer influencers listening and giving accurate, memorable, and clear information. Swag wouldn’t hurt either. “Vaccines will soon be available for all Maryland adults – when will you get yours? a) I’ve already gotten it b) ASAP c) Eventually d) When they make me e) I won’t My sample size was small ~ 40 students in my General Microbiology class. We’re over halfway through the semester and they are used to my passion for microbiology and concern for their success as well. The poll was anonymous, one of the ways I like to start class to build community and check in with students during these crazy virtual times. I was shocked. A quarter of the students were in the last 2 categories – “When they make me” or “I won’t”! WHAT? These students have had their fun, activity-packed college career upended by a pandemic! Online classes rip away existing structure, can be isolating, and requires much more preparation and time on the instructor and students. Students with mental health crises are skyrocketing. Grandparents and parents are dying of COVID. They are struggling. We as faculty are struggling. Yes, half of the students