Global flatulence: Mysterious Archaea and methane Matters Microbial

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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