Free webinar: The mystery of the missing microbes - and the answers that can be found in the Amazon
An intriguing free webinar this July will explore what happens when key members of the human gut microbiome are lost, and what we can learn from populations where this loss has not occurred.
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Under the microscope: extremophiles of the Earth
Extremophiles are microbial organisms that live in extreme environments normally considered uninhabitable. Over the past few decades, extremophiles have been discovered in increasingly bizarre and unexpected environments around the globe, including within acid lakes, plastic recycling centres and even in radioactive sites such as Chernobyl.
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Measuring and controlling an air fryer’s internal temperature for polymerase chain reaction
Read the second part in the journey to running PCR in an air fryer…
Losing the Earth’s bounty
Farmland degradation and soil erosion have caused food shortages and the collapse of civilizations throughout human history. Today, soil degradation is a growing driver of global threats such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. Loss of soil, the resource that supports production of 95% of the food supply, ...
Bottling the extremes: culturing the hidden microbiomes of caves and deserts
Imagine an environment so extreme that most life cannot survive: a pitch-dark cave deep beneath the mountains of Northern Spain, or a hyper-arid desert in Chile where rainfall is virtually non-existent. These are not lifeless wastelands. Beneath cave walls and within the dusty top layer of desert soils, thriving communities of cyanobacteria, green algae, and fungi quietly engineer their ecosystems: fixing carbon, weathering rock, and cycling nutrients in conditions that would defeat most organisms on Earth.
Under the Lens video series
The Microbiologist: Under the Lens | Episode 3
Is raw milk safe to drink? Prof Emmanuel Adukwu is joined by Prof Nicola Holden and Dr Gil Domingue for a conversation on the societal, scientific, and health implications of this pertinent question.
The Microbiologist: Under the Lens | Episode 2
In our second episode, Dr Callum Cooper joins Professor Emmanuel Adukwu to talk about all things bacteriophage, from alternatives to antibiotics, social impact, and regulation.
The Microbiologist: Under the Lens | Episode 1
In our first episode, Professor Raquel Peixoto joins Professor Jack Gilbert for a deep dive into coral reefs, microbes, and the future of our planet.
The Microbiologist: Under the Lens | Episode 3
The Microbiologist: Under the Lens | Episode 2
The Microbiologist: Under the Lens | Episode 1
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The Microbiologist provides detailed information on the latest research, topics, reviews, events and news on a wide variety of microbiological topics.
Members of Applied Microbiology International get unlimited access as a benefit. Find out more about AMI Membership
Fungi that inspired The Last of Us may hold the key to a pesticide-free agriculture
They may be the stuff of our nightmares, but Aditya Singh Ranout reveals how invisible allies underneath our feet in the form of entomopathogenic fungi are transforming agriculture - and why these fascinating microbes may hold the key to a pesticide-free agriculture.
Why cruise ships remain vulnerable to viral outbreaks - and how new technologies could help
A dream holiday can quickly become a public health challenge when thousands of people share the same dining rooms, elevators and living spaces. Recent viral outbreaks on cruise ships have shown just how vulnerable these floating cities remain to infectious diseases.
Biopiracy in microbiology: Who owns nature’s resources?
A growing global debate over “biopiracy” is raising urgent questions for microbiologists, researchers, industry and policymakers alike — and Applied Microbiology International is calling on members to help shape the conversation.
LAMECS 2026: An important milestone for early-career microbiologists
Ekramul Karim reveals why LAM ECS 2026 has been an important milestone in his own journey as an early-career microbiologist and how it has broadened his appreciation for the versatility of microbiology beyond biomedical and environmental settings.
LAMECS 2026: microbes, career motivation, and exploring life on Mars!
Jemima Swain reports back on her experiences of the Letters in Applied Microbiology ECS Symposium 2026 at Manchester Metropolitan University, which brought together almost 100 delegates for a day of scientific presentations, posters, careers talks, and opportunities for discussion and networking.
Accessibility, visibility, and participation - what AMI’s 2026 survey reveals about the future of applied microbiology
Applied Microbiology International’s 2026 Member Survey paints a picture of an organisation with strong foundations, a genuinely global reputation, and a highly engaged membership community, particularly among early-career microbiologists.
Natural compound may help boost vaccine responses
A team of researchers has found that the naturally occurring compound spermidine can help boost vaccine response in older adults by reducing molecular markers of immune system ageing.
Long-term hepatitis control efforts dramatically reduce HBV and HCV burden in Japan
Researchers have estimated that the number of HBV infections in Japan could decline gradually down to around 200,000 cases by 2050, down from an estimate of 923,000 to 940,000 cases in 2020. HCV is estimated to decline to less than 20,000 cases.
Landmark study reveals ‘megacluster’ of bacterial genes behind arsenal of potent antibiotics
A newly discovered “megacluster” of genes in Streptomyces bacteria produces four new natural product antibiotics that work together to stop rival bacteria.
Food security
Biofilm “scaffolds” protect bacterium responsible for food poisoning from antibiotics
Bacillus cereus, which is responsible for human infections and food poisoning, builds organized communities that act as a ‘shield’ against antibiotics, a new study reveals.
Clean Water
The climate crisis threatens river microbial biodiversity
A study warns that the biodiversity and biological functions of aquatic fungi in rivers are at risk due to rising temperatures, prolonged dry periods and the loss of riparian vegetation caused by climate change.
Global port microbiomes reveal hidden biosecurity signals
By analyzing more than 16 million 16S rRNA gene sequences from 1,045 port water samples collected in 23 cities across five continents, a study has found clear biogeographic patterns, a core set of dominant bacterial genera, and widespread potential pathogens.
