John Warhol, Ph.D., blends his Periodic Table of Microbes with rock music, movies, and state-microbe petitions to bring microbes' most unforgettable stories to light.

Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZYEBfo4nHc

Stanley Malloy and Jack Gilbert unpack how AI tools are reshaping the microbial sciences—from genomics and microbial communities to manuscripts, peer review and publishing ethics—highlighting AI's power, potential and pitfalls for public trust in science.

• JMBE Collection: Practical and Positive Uses of AI in STEM Education
• MtM Survey: asm.org/mtmsurvey

Glen McGugan, Ph.D., Director of ASM's Mechanism Discovery Unit, discusses how curiosity‑driven research—from parasite virulence to CRISPR and complex microbial systems—drives tomorrow's breakthroughs.

• Mechanism discovery,encompasses all of the foundational basic research across the microbial sciences and is essential for all advances in microbial science.
• Many transformative technologies (e.g., CRISPR) originated from curiosity-driven, basic research rather than immediate practical goals.
• McGugan's experience as a Program Officer at NIH provided him with a broad perspective on the research pipeline, from basic science to clinical trials, and highlighted the importance of supporting early-career scientists.
• Developing therapeutics for parasitic diseases is particularly challenging due to complex life cycles and limited financial incentives for pharmaceutical companies; much of the progress relies on government and philanthropic funding.
• ASM's Mechanism Discovery Unit serves as a neutral hub to convene interdisciplinary stakeholders, foster collaboration, and advance fundamental research.
• Safeguarding future breakthroughs in the microbial sciences depends on the involvement of and connections between researchers, policymakers, funders and industry partners to close gaps between discovery, implementation and impact.