349: Punctured to Death by Spikes
From This Week in Microbiology by Vincent Racaniello
February 1, 2026 · 59 min · Episode 349
About this episode
This episode discusses how mechano-bactericidal surfaces kill bacteria and the effects of microgravity on virus-host evolution.
TWiM explains how mechano-bactericidal surfaces made from diverse materials and patterned with spikes kill bacteria on contact, and virus-host evolution is reshaped by microgravity aboard the International Space Station. Become a patron of TWiM. Links for this episode: Mechano-Bactericidal Surfaces (Adv Sci) Piercing pathogens (ASM) Natural bactericidal surfaces (Small) Virus-host evolution in microgravity (PLoS Biol) Music used on TWiM is composed and performed by Ronald Jenkees and used with permission. Send your microbiology questions and comments to twim@microbe.tv
People in this episode
Host: Vincent Racaniello
Topics covered
- mechano-bactericidal surfaces
- bacteria
- virus-host evolution
- microgravity
- International Space Station
Keywords
- bacteria
- microgravity
- virus-host evolution
- mechano-bactericidal surfaces
- International Space Station
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: International Space Station, Adv Sci, ASM, Small, PLoS Biol
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