Let's Talk Micro

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into biological research, the quality of the data used to develop these technologies is more important than ever. But what exactly is digital biology, and why does data quality matter?
In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Jonathan Jacobs, PhD, Senior Director of Bioinformatics at ATCC, to explore digital biology and the challenges associated with biological and genomic data. Dr. Jacobs discusses the importance of metadata, common issues with publicly available genomic databases, and why connecting digital information to authenticated biological materials is essential for reproducibility and reliable research.
The conversation also explores how data quality can affect AI models, the role of existing standards, and what researchers can do to improve the accuracy, completeness, and usefulness of the data they generate and share.
And, as always, stay until the end to hear Dr. Jacobs' favorite microorganism and what makes it so fascinating to him!
 
Resources
Learn more about ATCC:
https://www.atcc.org/
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Many microbiology professionals are familiar with ATCC strains used for quality control, validation, and verification—but what happens before those biological materials reach the laboratory? ATCC, the American Type Culture Collection, maintains biological materials used by scientists and laboratories around the world.
In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. Shahin Ali, Senior Scientist at ATCC, to take a closer look at the work behind biological reference materials. Dr. Ali discusses how ATCC identifies and acquires microorganisms, what characteristics are considered when adding them to the collection, and how materials are authenticated, characterized, preserved, and maintained over time.
The conversation also explores expert curation and complete provenance, why authenticated reference materials are important for laboratory quality and reproducibility, and how individual strains of the same species can have meaningful differences. Luis and Dr. Ali also discuss antimicrobial resistance, the growing importance of genomic and metadata quality, and how curated biological collections may support AI-driven research in the future.
And, as always, stay until the end to hear Dr. Ali's favorite microorganism—and the personal connection behind his answer.
Resources
Learn more about ATCC:
https://www.atcc.org/
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
Website: letstalkmicro.com

Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com

Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8

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Originally published on September 28, 2022, this episode returns to the Let's Talk Micro feed in recognition of World Rabies Day.
Dr. Rodney Rohde joins the podcast to discuss rabies and his extensive experience working with the virus in public health. We start with the basics: What is rabies? How is it transmitted? What are the signs and symptoms? From there, we discuss potential exposures, post-exposure prophylaxis, vaccination, and ways to prevent rabies. Dr. Rohde also shares his experience working in rabies diagnostics and molecular epidemiology, as well as his involvement with wildlife rabies vaccination efforts.
We also discuss the importance of recognizing potential exposures, the role of wildlife—particularly bats—and considerations when traveling to areas where rabies may be more prevalent.
Finally, what is World Rabies Day, and why is it observed on September 28? Dr. Rohde discusses the history and significance of the day and the importance of education, prevention, and collaboration in the fight against rabies.
Tune in as we revisit this conversation and learn more about rabies.
Resources
World Rabies Day:
https://rabiesalliance.org/world-rabies-day
Dr. Rohde's rabies book:
https://www.elsevier.com/books/rabies/wilson/978-0-323-63979-8
Dr. Rohde's website:
https://rodneyerohde.wp.txstate.edu/
Related publication:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33659941/
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
Website: letstalkmicro.com

Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com

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MAD-ID (Making a Difference in Infectious Diseases) and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) have joined forces to create a new annual meeting focused on antimicrobial therapeutics, stewardship, infectious diseases, and more.
In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. Erin McCreary and Dr. Mike Rybak to discuss the history of MAD-ID and SIDP, what brought the two organizations together, and highlights from their 2026 meeting. They also discuss sessions relevant to clinical microbiology, practical approaches to applying new science, opportunities for networking and trainees, and what attendees can expect as the meeting moves forward under its new name: Antimicrobials Conference.
Resources
MAD-ID:
https://www.mad-id.org/
Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP):
https://sidp.org/
Information on upcoming Antimicrobials Conference meetings:
https://sidp.org/annualmeetings
Want to check out the Breakpoints podcast?
 https://breakpoints-sidp.org/
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
Website: letstalkmicro.com

Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com

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Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a common cause of pharyngitis, but deciding who should be tested and which testing method to use isn't always straightforward. In 2025, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) released updated guidelines on Group A streptococcal pharyngitis, bringing renewed attention to diagnostic stewardship and the use of clinical scoring systems to help guide testing decisions.
In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Dr. Christopher Doern returns to the podcast to break down the updated IDSA guidelines and what they may mean for clinical practice. We discuss clinical scoring systems such as Centor and McIsaac, antigen testing, culture, molecular diagnostics, and point-of-care testing. We also explore turnaround time and cost considerations, GAS carriage and the interpretation of positive results, and how diagnostic decisions connect with antimicrobial stewardship.
Tune in as we take a practical look at what's changing in Group A strep testing and how laboratories and clinicians can approach these updated recommendations.
This podcast episode is sponsored by Cepheid. The views and opinions expressed by the interviewer in this interview are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Cepheid.
Resources
IDSA Clinical Practice Guideline Update on Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Pharyngitis:
IDSA 2025 Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis Guideline
Current Laboratory and Point-of-Care Pharyngitis Diagnostic Testing and Knowledge Gaps: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39688598/
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
Website: letstalkmicro.com

Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com

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