Is high diversity always a good thing?​ Author: Caitlin Cowan, PhD – APC Microbiome IrelandThe theme of this year’s world microbiome day is diversity. Now more than ever, there’s no doubt that we are not the only ones thinking about this concept. But how do microbiome scientists define diversity? How do we measure it and how…

The era of –biotics Author: María Ángeles Núñez Sánchez, Centre for Research in VascularDid you know that each of us has a complex community of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) called “microbiota” that live inside our gut? I discovered this during my PhD, this sparked my interest and I quickly began learning about this new-ish…

Why do I eat fermented foods? Author: John Leech, University College CorkFermentation is almost as old as agriculture itself, with fermented foods dating back at least 9000 years. The earliest evidence we have for the production of these foods comes from Jihau in China, where an alcoholic drink, Mead, was produced in clay pots. The Egyptians…

Are viruses alive? Perhaps we’re asking the wrong question Axel_Kock/Shutterstock Hugh Harris, University College Cork Viruses are an inescapable part of life, especially in a global viral pandemic. Yet ask a roomful of scientists if viruses are alive and you’ll get a very mixed response.The truth is, we don’t fully understand viruses, and we’re still trying…

In defence of viruses Design Cells/Shutterstock Hugh Harris, University College Cork Every day, in countries all over the world, people are dying because of a new virus. This time they are dying from a new strain of coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 that causes the acute respiratory disease known as COVID-19. And this is just the latest….

The Antimicrobial Resistance Apocalypse Author: Dhrati Patangia, APC Microbiome Ireland Date: 2nd July, 2019The human microbiota is the collection of all the microbes living within and on the human body. Most of these microbes live in our gastrointestinal tract. These bacteria in our body are like super-heroes owing to the work they do to help…

The microbiome is more than just bacteria-what about bacteriophages? Author: Lorraine Draper, APC Microbiome Ireland Date: 21st June, 2019When we think of the microbiome, we usually think of all the bacteria that live inside us, in our digestive system, or live in the soil around us, or in our oceans. But bacteria are not alone,…

World Microbiome Day & Antimicrobial Resistance Author: Melissa Raassina & Rebecca Morehouse Date: 26th June, 2019In celebration of World Microbiome Day, we’re discussing all things microbes and antibiotic resistance! Many people are asking, what happens if antibiotic resistance continues to spread? And how can we prevent antibiotic resistance from spreading further? Why? Antimicrobial resistance, more…

Antibiotic resistant bacteria – can the microbiome provide an answer? Author: Colin Hill, APC Microbiome Ireland Date: 6th June, 2019Antibiotics are amazing. They are the most successful medical discovery of all time. Used appropriately, they are life-savers. They control life threatening infections, they permit surgeons to perform operations, they have added over 20 years to…