Be inspired by some of the world’s leading microbiologists, discover the work of laboratories around the world, get advice on key topics and find out about exciting career opportunities in the world of microbiology.
Be Inspired
Food and innovation: Reflections from FOODMicro 2026
AMI Food Security Advisory Group member Professor Marciane Magnani, a Full Professor of Food Science at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Brazil, reflects on her experiences of FOODMICRO 2026 in Slovenia.
Horizon Award winners one year on: What are they up to?
The nominations for the Horizon Awards are in - and the judges are making their decisions. While we await the big announcement, we’ve been catching up with the superstars who won in 2025.
Meet the Global Ambassadors: our Q&A with Sanjib Bhakta
The Microbiologist gets to know our Global Ambassador for the UK, Professor Sanjib Bhakta who is Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Biochemistry at Birkbeck, University of London.
How a sceptic was won over: Charlotte Wilson on her internship with AMI
Fourth year PhD student Charlotte Wilson admits she was sceptical before she embarked on her PIPS internship with Applied Microbiology International’s Communications and Marketing Team - but here’s how it turned out.
From microbiome research to personalized cosmetics: The genesis of BYOME LABS
BYOME LABS was founded through the initiative of David Suissa, an entrepreneur trained at École Polytechnique and the Corps des Mines. After leading companies in the fields of perfumery and applied microbiology, he chose to structure a new approach centered on the biological evaluation of cosmetic products.
The Space Microbiology Group
The Space Microbiology Group studies how microorganisms behave in space conditions, using tools such as microbiology, molecular biology, system biology and geomicrobiology to learn how new biotechnologies could be applied to space.
The Rahlff lab
The Aero-Aquatic Virus Research Group led by Dr. Janina Rahlff conducts basic research on microbial viruses from the surface microlayer, which is the 1-mm thick ‘skin’ of a water body’s surface, and in atmospheric ecosystems.
The Microbial EcoGenomics and Biotechnology Lab (MEGBLab)
At MEGBLab, our mission is to advance the understanding of microorganisms and their crucial role in environmental sustainability.
Laboratorio Calidad de Aguas
The Water Quality Laboratory of the National University of Salta, founded by Dr Mónica Salusso and Dr. Liliana Moraña, is going from strength to strength - but faces challenges posed by major budget cuts to science and research in Argentina.
What makes hantaviruses jump from rodents to humans?
Why do some hantaviruses jump from rodents to humans while others remain largely confined to wildlife? A new study will combine viral genetics, climate data and wildlife ecology to uncover the conditions that drive spillover and help identify where future outbreaks are most likely to emerge.
Read story
Wine-like terroir: Influence of wild plants results in distinctive microbial and flavour signatures in Munkoyo
Wild plants traditionally used as natural starter cultures for fermentation of Munkoyo, a traditional non/very low-alcoholic fermented cereal beverage consumed in parts of Africa, can influence not only the initiation of fermentation but also the microbial communities and flavour characteristics of the final beverage.
Petal ‘windows’ affect the abundance of microbes within flowers
Some flowers have petals with small semi-translucent sections. Research reveals that these “windows” alter the amount of light and heat entering the flower and create conditions that influence microbial abundance.
Study reveals how a common hospital pathogen senses iron—opening a new avenue for fighting antibiotic resistance
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common culprit in hospital-acquired bacterial infections and is growing more resistant to antibiotics. New findings show how a two-protein system inside the bacterium operates like a sensitive switch: the pair detects iron both outside and inside the cell and then rewrites large parts of the microbe’s metabolism in response.
Advice
Next-gen microbiologists: from innovators to business leaders
Today, we need microbiologists to be not only academics or researchers but also budding innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. Career possibilities in this domain are vast, as people can build their own ventures, become policy makers, and employers.
Navigating mid-career challenges in biotech, pharma, and life sciences amid sector-wide layoffs
The current economic climate has cast a shadow over biotech, pharmaceutical, and life sciences industries, with widespread layoffs and restructuring efforts creating an atmosphere of uncertainty.
My autistic academic maze - and my advice to neurodiverse PhD students
In Neurodiversity Celebration Week, PhD student Joshua Yates reveals the challenges of pursuing a career in microbiology with autism and dyslexia - and his advice to others.
The true cost of science
Discover valuable insights from three companies in the microbiology field, and their experience of balancing innovation, investment, and sustainability to drive their success.
Nine to five
A day in the life: Discovering the hidden microbes of Britain’s historic waters
PhD student Wewerly Fernandes outlines her investigations into the microorganisms living in Britain’s historic wells and natural springs - once believed to hold healing properties and linked to legends of Merlin and renowned figures like Robert Burns.
A week in the life of a Parvovirus researcher
Alejandro Fernández Llorente works as a predoctoral researcher at Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM-CSIC), a prestigious biomedical research centre located in Madrid, Spain.
A day in the life of a soil microbial ecologist
Dr. Taniya RoyChowdhury, a soil microbial ecologist and biogeochemist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center, describes a typical day.
A day in the life of Associate Practitioner in Microbiology
Discover the role, the challenges, and key opportunities for the future.
The role of clinical microbiologists in HAIs, AMR and beyond
A clinical microbiologist describes the key roles and technological challenges encountered in a typical day.