The Gut Virome: Michael Shamash

Have you ever thought about the trillions of invisible, microscopic entities inhabiting your body right now? While much of the microbiome spotlight shines on bacteria, there's a hidden side to this story that many people overlook.In this podcast episode, we discuss the lesser-known residents of our microbiome: viruses. These tiny but potent entities are fundamental players in our gut's ecosystem. And Michael Shamash, a microbiology researcher studying these viruses, shares all the profound roles they play in our gut and our overall health. After listening, you'll gain a newfound appreciation for these microscopic allies within you and how they can impact your well-being.Topics covered in this episode:Bacteria, phages, and the microbiomeGut virome and its role in human healthPhages in early childhood microbiome developmentPhages in infant gut microbiome and their potential impact on adult healthPhage therapy for early childhood illnessesOnePetri app to automate the process of phage plaque countingAt-home microbiology activity: Crafting Model PhagesJOYFUL MICROBE SHOW NOTES: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/gut-virome-michael-shamash/AT-HOME MICROBIOLOGY ACTIVITY: https://joyfulmicrobe.com/model-phage-activity/JOYFUL MICROBE TWITTER: https://twitter.com/joyfulmicrobe/JOYFUL MICROBE INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/justineldees/SUPPORT JOYFUL MICROBE: https://ko-fi.com/joyfulmicrobe/