Best JGI Podcasts (2025)

1
SIPs with Standards 21:00

1M ago21:00

21:00

Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) is a powerful technique for studying microbial communities. These experiments can show which microbes are handling specific nutrients, or what they're doing with those nutrients, and even how quickly. But there's a catch: SIP labwork and analysis can be very demanding. The JGI offers SIP analysis to make these experimen…

1
Adopt-A-Genome 26:45

7M ago26:45

26:45

In this episode, undergraduates adopt genomes that the JGI sequenced, but never published in the literature. These students analyze the genomes, write reports, and publish first-author papers, making the data available for future research. Hear from Rekha Seshadri (JGI) and Matt Escobar (California State San Marcos) about how the Adopt-A-Genome pro…

1
Gotta Catch 'Em Gall 24:31

10M ago24:31

24:31

Kasey Markel and Patrick Shih (UC Berkeley and the Joint BioEnergy Institute) are looking for new ways to engineer plants. So they’ve looked into wasps that program oak trees to grow structures called galls. In this episode, hear from Kasey and Patrick about how this project unfolded, and how they worked with the JGI's metabolomics program to find …

1
A Redesign for Yeast’s Genome, Chromosome by Chromosome - Jef Boeke, Weimin Zhang & Leslie Mitchell 20:53

11M ago20:53

20:53

To engineer yeast to do more, and understand genomes in general, Jef Boeke, Weimin Zhang (NYU Langone Health) and Leslie Mitchell (Neochromosome) have worked to replace yeast’s native chromosomes with synthetic versions. This project has turned out to be an international collaboration, with some artistic endeavors along the way. Eventually, the goa…

1
Forest Fungi, Seagrass, and a New View of Symbiosis 26:34

11M ago26:34

26:34

Three stories of JGI-supported research, connected to nutrient cycles. Francis Martin and Lucas Auer discuss their work on communities of forest floor fungi. Allison Joy looks into seagrass meadows' carbon sequestration with insights from Adam Healey and Xiao Ma. And Karen Serrano and Benjamin Cole explain their research on the symbiotic relationsh…

1
What Happens To a Rainforest When You Dial Up Drought? - Linnea Honeker and Malak Tfaily 22:53

12M ago22:53

22:53

Rainforests store a big fraction of all the carbon on Earth, and soil microbes play a key role in pulling that carbon out of the atmosphere. This episode, researchers take a look at what happens to that storage when a rainforest hits a drought. Tag along with their experiments in a fully enclosed, human-made ecosystem: Biosphere 2. Links from this …

1
The Megadata of Lake Mendota - Part 3: Boating Out to David Buoy 24:38

1+ y ago24:38

24:38

This is the third and final episode of our series on a giant metagenome assembly from Wisconsin’s Lake Mendota. In the last two episodes, we’ve covered the specialized software and supercomputers behind this project. But every part of this project depends on lakewater samples — so this episode is a look at how researchers get these specialized snap…

1
The Megadata of Lake Mendota - Part 2: Souped Up Computing 22:06

1+ y ago22:06

22:06

This series is the story of a giant metagenome assembly from Wisconsin’s Lake Mendota. In this episode: a look at the supercomputing that stitches together large datasets with the assembler program MetaHipMer2. Oak Ridge National Lab is home to two supercomputers — Summit and Frontier — that process terabytes of data with MetaHipMer2. And the Natio…

1
The Megadata of Lake Mendota - Part 1: Many, Many Mers 26:16

1+ y ago26:16

26:16

Lake Mendota sits right next to the University of Wisconsin, Madison. And Trina McMahon's lab has been sampling the microbes of that lake for over 20 years, to understand how the freshwater ecosystem works. So a few years ago, when they set out to analyze 500 metagenomes, it was the biggest project the JGI had ever put together. The next 3 episodes…

1
Natural Prodcast Ep 24 - Jackie Winter and SMC 59:28

1+ y ago59:28

59:28

On this bonus episode of Natural Prodcast, it's the Self Promotion Episode! Dan chats with new-ish co host Jackie Winter, from the University of Utah, about her secondary metabolism research on weird microbes and bioactive compounds in the Great Salt Lake. Then, Dan talks (maybe way too much) about the Secondary Metabolism Collaboratory, or SMC, JG…

1
Experimenting with EcoFABs for Student Labs - Jill Bouchard & Ying Wang 22:15

1+ y ago22:15

22:15

To set up flexible, repeatable experiments on plants and microbes, Trent Northen’s group at Berkeley Lab created a fabricated ecosystem – an EcoFAB. These small plastic growth chambers let researchers around the world compare their work consistently. And EcoFABs also work well in the classroom. This episode, we visit Los Medanos College to see EcoF…

1
Natural Prodcast Ep 23 - Aaron Puri 37:27

1+ y ago37:27

37:27

Natural Prodcast talks to Aaron Puri, from the University of Utah's Chemistry Department. We talked about carbon-fixing methylotrophs, quorum sensing, and inverse stable isotopic labeling. Episode transcript at jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-23-aaron-puri.By JGI

1
JGIota: A Surprise for Chloroflexota — The First Flagella! 8:26

1+ y ago8:26

8:26

To understand how organisms adapt to extreme environments, Marike Palmer and Brian Hedlund study organisms living in hot springs. Hear how their recent work revealed more about the history of the Chloroflexota phylum and a new way of moving: a tail-like flagella. Submit your own proposal to work with the JGI Join us at the 2023 JGI User Meeting Lin…

1
Natural Prodcast Ep 22 - Alison Narayan 37:08

1+ y ago37:08

37:08

In this episode, Dan and Jackie talk to Alison Narayan, from the University of Michigan's Life Sciences Institute and Department of Chemistry. We talked broadly about the field of "biocatalysis", about her DNA synthesis project with the JGI to explore flavin monooxygenases, and what we all need to do in the future to figure out how to make predicti…

1
JGIota: A Tool to Find the Nomadic Genes that Help Microbes Adapt - geNomad 5:51

1+ y ago5:51

5:51

A quick snippet on Antonio Camargo and Simon Roux, a few of the JGI researchers behind software that finds plasmids and viruses within microbial genomes. As mobile genetic elements like viruses spread their DNA, they can affect how microbes cycle nutrients and adapt to climate change. Find all episode transcripts on our website Publication: Camargo…

1
Natural Prodcast Ep 21 - Elizabeth Parkinson 36:53

1+ y ago36:53

36:53

Natural Prodcast's interview with Elizabeth (Betsy) Parkinson, from Purdue, about bacterial signaling molecules and regulation of biosynthetic pathways, semisynthetic cyclic peptides, student mental health, and getting kids interested in microbiology.By JGI

1
Natural Prodcast Ep 20 - Brian Bachmann 37:49

2y ago37:49

37:49

Natural Prodcast's interview with Vanderbilt Professor of Chemistry, Brian O Bachmann.By JGI

1
Methane Makers in Yosemite's Lakes - Mike Beman and Elisabet Perez Coronel 27:16

2y ago27:16

27:16

Meet researchers who have hiked, rafted and met local wildlife (a marmot!) as they’ve sampled the microbial communities living in the mountaintop lakes of the Sierra Nevada mountains. These lakes are isolated, but varied. They’re a great way to see how climate change affects freshwater ecosystems, and how those ecosystems work. Links from this epis…

1
A Shrubbier Version of Rubber - Andrew Nelson and Colleen McMahan 20:37

2y ago20:37

20:37

Right now, our natural rubber comes from just one tree species: Hevea brasiliensis. It’s great at producing latex that becomes rubber, but it’s vulnerable to disease and climate shifts. So researchers are looking into a desert shrub that’s native to North America: guayule. This episode was made in collaboration with our friends at the HudsonAlpha I…

1
The Busy World of Deep Sea Eruptions - Anna-Louise Reysenbach and Emily St. John 30:44

2y ago30:44

30:44

The ocean depths are vast and dark. But there are hotspots on the ocean floor — underwater volcanoes and hydrothermal vents — where lively microbial communities thrive, and even support entire ecosystems. Hear from researchers Anna-Louise Reysenbach, Emily St. John, Gilberto Flores, and Peter Girguis about sampling these communities, and understand…

1
Crops as Tough as World Cup Turf - James Schnable and Guangchao Sun 28:16

2y ago28:16

28:16

In our warming world, we’ll need corn, sorghum and other crops to grow well in worse conditions: with more heat, less water and less fertilizer. Grasses do better in these conditions, so plant biologists James Schable, Guangchao Sun and Vladimir Torrres have looked into traits that could transfer from grasses into other crops. One grass they studie…

1
Season 4 Trailer (and sneak peek!) 3:14

2y ago3:14

3:14

On June 8th, Genome Insider is back! We've got a batch of 4 new episodes where researchers discover the expertise encoded in our environment — in the genomes of plants, fungi, bacteria, archaea, algae, and environmental viruses — to power a more sustainable future. Stick around for a snippet of the next episode. Join us at our User Meeting: jointge…

1
JGIota: A Biofuel Breakthrough in Anaerobic Fungi with Michelle O'Malley and Tom Lankiewicz 4:31

2y ago4:31

4:31

Michelle O'Malley and Tom Lankiewicz of UC-Santa Barbara discuss the importance of studying anaerobic fungi, as well as a recent discovery that turns scientific presumption on its head and opens up a new avenue to explore for efficient biofuel production. Find all episode transcripts on our website Publication: Lankiewicz, T.S., Choudhary, H., Gao,…

1
JGIota: Sequencing Shiitakes with David Hibbett 5:40

2y ago5:40

5:40

David Hibbett (Clark University) fills us in on the kind of decay that makes shiitake mushrooms special. This week, he 39 collaborators published a paper tracing how these mushrooms have evolved. Find all episode transcripts on our website Publication: Sierra-Patev S et al. A global phylogenomic analysis of the shiitake genus Lentinula. Proc Natl A…

1
Natural Prodcast Ep 19 - Bill Fenical 1:03:46

2+ y ago1:03:46

1:03:46

Natural Prodcast talks to Prof William Fenical of Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego about the beginnings of marine natural products, his experiences in drug discovery, and exploring marine bacteria.By JGI

1
Natural Prodcast Ep 18 - A CSP Primer 37:38

2+ y ago37:38

37:38

It's a crossover episode! Menaka Wilhelm, from JGI's Genome Insider, and I talk about how to work with the JGI, specifically in the form of the Community Science Program, or CSP. We talked to Deputy of User Programs, Tanja Woyke and Project Manager Miranda Harmon-Smith about all the details of what makes a good CSP, how to apply for one, and what h…

1
Work With the JGI! Tips for a Winning CSP Proposal 30:19

2+ y ago30:19

30:19

The JGI’s Community Science Program gives researchers access to all kinds of sequencing, ‘omics and bioinformatics capabilities — and it’s open to scientists at any career stage, anywhere in the world, for free. We accept new projects related to energy and the environment several times a year. A few proposal calls have deadlines coming up – in Janu…

1
JGIota: Looking Back at How Cow Rumen Samples Landed on a Syllabus 8:15

2+ y ago8:15

8:15

Back in 2011, JGI-supported researchers published a paper in the journal Science. They’d used metagenomics to sift for microbial genes encoding carbohydrate-chomping enzymes in cow rumen — and found 27,000 candidates. The data from that study is now used across California State University campuses for biotechnology education as part of a course-bas…

1
From Sample Shipments to Sequences – A Tour of the JGI’s Sequencing Pipeline 18:58

2+ y ago18:58

18:58

Every year, the JGI sequences around 35,000 samples — from plants, algae, bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses — to support scientists around the world. Most of those researchers send their samples in from afar, without ever hearing much about the sequencing lab. So today, Chris Daum walks through the JGI’s sequencing pipeline, where there are freezer…

1
JGIota: Looking Back at Methane-Making Microbes 7:03

2+ y ago7:03

7:03

We count on livestock for food and fiber, but raising these animals also produces an atmosphere-warming gas: methane. Those emissions mainly come from gut microbes — the bacteria and archaea breaking down plant matter. So since 2010, the JGI has supported researchers studying those microbial methane-makers. Eventually, that could help us dial back …

1
The Fungi That Survive In Antarctica 18:07

2+ y ago18:07

18:07

Black fungi are microscopic and mighty. They survive everywhere from Antarctica to Joshua Tree National Park, despite extremely harsh conditions. And their survival secrets could one day help other organisms survive hotter, drier climates. So University of Tuscia researchers Laura Selbmann and Claudia Coleine are working with scientists from around…

1
JGIota: Looking Back at Sequencing for Soybeans 6:12

2+ y ago6:12

6:12

The soybean is a crop that could boost biofuels and fertilize fields. So in 2010, the JGI helped publish the original genome sequence for the soybean, Glycine max. With a full genome sequence, researchers have been able to look into soybean’s strengths – along with a fungus that threatens this important crop. Hear more about that work from research…

1
Better Crops With a Pointillist Approach to Plant Genomics 18:50

2+ y ago18:50

18:50

In this episode, we peer into plant cells. Researchers are using measurements from single cells to understand which genes help plants grow, get nutrients, weather drought, and more. And eventually, their findings could help us grow better crops, with less impact on our planet. Links from this episode: Find all episode transcripts on our website Mon…

1
JGIota: The Algae Nicknamed ‘Chlamy’ 6:05

3y ago6:05

6:05

This shorter episode is about a tiny, single-celled alga – Chlamydomonas reinhardtii – that’s managed to have a big impact. UC Berkeley plant biologist Sabeeha Merchant explains why she works on this alga, how researchers managed to sequence its genome, and what it has to teach us about other organisms – like plants. Links from this episode Find al…

1
Chomping Toward Better Plastic Recycling 21:10

3y ago21:10

21:10

We know all kinds of things about plastic – except, how to break it down for recycling. But some hungry insects can digest plastic. So researchers are taking a look at how these critters process plastic, to improve plastic recycling by following their lead. Links from this episode: Find all episode transcripts on our website Submit a proposal to wo…

1
Natural Prodcast Ep 17 - Cassandra Quave 54:34

3y ago54:34

54:34

Natural Prodcast's Dan and Alison talk to Dr Cassandra Quave of Emory University, and author of The Plant Hunter. Transcript at https://jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-17-cassandra-quave/By JGI

1
Filling in the Plant Tree of Life 22:42

3+ y ago22:42

22:42

What if we understood plants and how they adapt to their ever-changing environments better? We could unlock new innovations to drive more productive food, medicine, and bioenergy crops. But most available genomes are from narrow swaths of the plant tree of life. One project aims to change that. Find all episode transcripts on our website Submit a p…

1
Natural Prodcast Ep 16 - Marcy Balunas 45:01

3+ y ago45:01

45:01

Natural Prodcast presents our interview with Professor Marcy Balunas, currently at the University of Connecticut's Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences but soon moving to the University of Michigan's Department of Microbiology and Immunology. In this episode, we discuss her work in in many areas of chemical exploration of natural products for bioa…

1
Creating an Energy Market for Miscanthus 22:23

3+ y ago22:23

22:23

What grass is a prized ornamental and a bioenergy plant? Meet Miscanthus, an attractive addition to your garden and a potential fuel for the future. But, to be competitive in the market, both energy policy and Miscanthus will need some upgrades. In this episode, hear from scientists working on understanding Miscanthus biology and the economic terra…

1
Dispatches From JGI Interns 23:30

3+ y ago23:30

23:30

Every summer, the JGI invites undergraduate and graduate students from the University of California, Merced to participate in the flagship JGI-UC Merced Internship Program and engage in real, impactful research projects with JGI mentors. In this episode, hear two interns from the 2021 cohort describe their deep dives into genomics, computational to…

1
THE Bioenergy Tree 25:09

3+ y ago25:09

25:09

The US Department of Energy’s favorite tree is poplar. They’re the fastest growing trees in the Northern Hemisphere, making them tantalizing plants to harness for bioenergy. In this episode, hear from Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists who have uncovered remarkable genetic secrets that bring us closer to making poplar an economical and sustai…

1
Natural Prodcast Ep 15 - Katherine Duncan 47:17

3+ y ago47:17

47:17

This is Natural Prodcast's conversation with Professor Katherine Duncan from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Dr Duncan's work focuses on marine microbial chemical ecology. We also discuss Actinobase, molecular networking, and the future of integrated secondary metabolism data. Transcript at https://jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-e…

1
Back to the Future! A Sorghum Story 22:23

4y ago22:23

22:23

You might know sorghum as an edible grain. But there are some sorghum varieties, grown on marginal land with little water, which were developed specifically to turn their biomass into sustainable biofuel and bioproducts. John Mullet, a biologist at Texas A&M University, tells us how sorghum’s historical — and literal — roots could play a big role i…

1
Natural Prodcast Ep 14 - Nigel Mouncey 41:34

4y ago41:34

41:34

Our guest on this episode is Dr Nigel Mouncey, JGI's Director, and also lead of the JGI's Secondary Metabolites Science Program. Since his arrival in 2017, Nigel has led a vision for the JGI that sees secondary metabolism analysis and research as a driver for novel technologies that can serve all JGI users. Nigel has a long scientific background in…

1
A Powerful Technique to Study Microbes, Now Easier 9:14

4y ago9:14

9:14

Lawrence Livermore National Lab biologist Jennifer Pett-Ridge collaborated with JGI scientists on an ambitious project: to bring in robots to help process experiments that measure microbial activity in soil. Now, the researchers and robots have made these experiments easier for scientists everywhere. Find all episode transcripts on our website Subm…

1
Party in the Rhizosphere 25:51

4y ago25:51

25:51

There’s a party in the soil, and microbes are the VIPs. They’re feasting on the compounds that plants secrete through their roots, creating a lively zone called the rhizosphere. In this episode, biologist Jennifer Pett-Ridge of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has your backstage pass. Find all episode transcripts on our website Submit a propo…

1
Better Living Through Bioenergy 28:20

4y ago28:20

28:20

Biofuels and bioproducts are a way to kick our addiction to fossil fuels. In this episode, we get a peek into how scientists Aindrila Mukhopadhyay and Steve Singer are harnessing the versatile bacterium Pseudomonas putida to break down biomass and help bring about a more sustainable, bio-based economy. They conduct research at the Joint BioEnergy I…

1
Natural Prodcast Ep 13 - Francisco Barona Gomez 48:12

4y ago48:12

48:12

In this episode of the podcast, we talked a lot about terminology, especially around "secondary metabolism" versus "specialized metabolism" and "primary metabolism" versus "centralized metabolism" and why and how they're different when we take things from a human-centric view rather than a microbe-centric one. It was so fun, and I learned a ton. I …

1
Cracking the Secrets of the Diatom’s Shell 17:30

4y ago17:30

17:30

Diatoms, a group of tiny algae, are also known as “living opals” because of the strange, beautiful properties of their silica shells. But what genes are responsible for such mesmerizing exteriors? Setsuko Wakao and Kris Niyogi, biologists at UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, aim to find out. Find all episode transcripts on our …

1
Exploring the Diversity of the American Prairie’s Switchgrass 18:34

4+ y ago18:34

18:34

A tall native plant of the North American prairie, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) has long been a tantalizing potential biofuel feedstock. But switchgrass has a complex genome and, as a species, encompasses dizzying diversity. So, a team of scientists made an ambitious plan to link the plant’s diverse traits — height, biomass, hardiness to cold, et…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

JGI Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen