Today, Dr. Geo Santiago-Martinez, Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology and Microbiology at the University of Connecticut joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the mysteries of the archaeal world, and how one group of these organisms produce methane gas as a byproduct of metabolism. These methanogens are thus involved in climate, symbioses, biotechnology, and even astrobiology!
Host: Mark O. Martin
Guest: Geo Santiago-Martinez
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Links for this episode
- An essay about how cyanobacteria changed our very planet.
- A truly wonderful and highly recommended video about Leeuwenhoek and how he was the first to “see through microbial eyes.” PLEASE WATCH THIS AMAZING VIDEO!.
- A link to the Boerhaave Museum in Amsterdam (well worth the visit!) including how to obtain a replica of the Leeuwenhoek microscope (*I* do not have one—they are awesome!).
- A video overview of the archaea.
- A review article on the archaea.
- Haloquadratum walsbyi: a square archaean.
- Pyrodictium abyssi: a netlike organism.
- The process of methanogenesis by archaea (focused on the gut).
- An essay describing how methanogenic archaea may impact climate change.
- The famous Volta experiment!
- An article on Methanosarcina acetivorans, studied by Dr. Santiago-Martinez and his coworkers.
- A very interesting article on methanogenesis by Dr. Santiago-Martinez.
- A wonderful video of Dr. Santiago-Martinez and his collaborators’ research.
- The Archaea Power Hour website.
- The Cientifico Latino website, increasing diversity within STEM.
- Dr. Santiago-Martinez’s faculty website.
- Dr. Santiago-Martinez’s laboratory website.
Intro music is by Reber Clark
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