We need your help! One of the goals for microBEnet in 2014 is to host/organize/support targeted workshops within the broad area of the microbiology of the built environment. In the past we’ve been involved in a number of general workshops since the field was so new. Now we’d like to focus more on specific areas …
Interested in learning more about air sampling in the built environment? Then check out the Google Hangout with several researchers on the topic posted on microBEnet. Interested in even more detail? Then check out the EPA report entitled “Determination of the Sampling Efficiency of Biosamplers to Collect Inhalable Particles”
We’ve talked in the past about uses for bacteria to sense and repair concrete (e.g. here and here) but this podcast is the first time I’ve heard the idea of using bacteria as pure sensors. In the words of the podcast summary “scientists might be able to develop a bacterial early warning system for our …
This study, just published in Infection and Immunity has been getting a lot of press: Some bacteria ‘live for long periods’ on toys, books and cribs Germs that cause colds can last outside human body for months: study Crib toys, day care items can harbor strep bacteria for months The basic gist of this story …
The study of how aerosols disperse and settle is an important part of the microbiology of the built environment and there are several groups working on the topic. However, this story was the first I’ve heard about modeling this process in zero gravity. The settling of aerosols in particular is quite different in spacecraft than …
Nothing to add here. Really the title of this story says it all… I’ve been hoping to post more often about food microbiology so here we go.
We try to make sure that our discussions of the microbiology of the “built environment” are very inclusive. That means in addition to the obvious houses and office buildings we’ve talked about plumbing systems, planes, trains, etc. But this story is certainly the first time I’ve thought about what is dwelling inside of musical instruments. …
Just a quick post to point out an article on phys.org talking about Amy Pruden’s fascinating work on probiotics for plumbing. Read her microBEnet post about the work here and a related post by Kyle Bibby here. From the phys.org article: “We believe this microbiome can be harnessed to control opportunistic pathogens,” Pruden said. For …
A nice little video featuring Jenna and Jonathan talking about Project MERCCURI:
Paula Olsiewski recently pointed us to this article entitled “Contamination of Public Buses with MRSA in Lisbon, Portugal: A Possible Transmission Route of Major MRSA Clones within the Community.” Basically the authors found nosocomial (hospital-acquired) strains of MRSA on a number of public buses and conclude: MRSA contamination of public transport and the transfer of …