Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a primary limitation of classical microbiology when studying environmental samples?
What is a primary limitation of classical microbiology when studying environmental samples?
- It is too expensive for large-scale environmental studies.
- It relies on culturing microorganisms, which is not possible for the majority of species. (correct)
- It requires advanced DNA sequencing techniques.
- It cannot be applied to soil samples.
Metagenomics focuses on studying individual microbial species in isolation.
Metagenomics focuses on studying individual microbial species in isolation.
False (B)
Briefly describe the term 'geomicrobiology'.
Briefly describe the term 'geomicrobiology'.
Geomicrobiology is the study of the interaction between microbes and geological processes, often focusing on diverse and poorly understood environments like soils.
Hannibal was a Carthaginian _________ considered one of the greatest military leaders of all time.
Hannibal was a Carthaginian _________ considered one of the greatest military leaders of all time.
Match the habitat with the approximate percentage of microorganisms that can be cultured using classical microbiology:
Match the habitat with the approximate percentage of microorganisms that can be cultured using classical microbiology:
During which historical conflict did Hannibal lead his army across the Alps?
During which historical conflict did Hannibal lead his army across the Alps?
The exact route Hannibal took across the Alps is definitively known and agreed upon by historians.
The exact route Hannibal took across the Alps is definitively known and agreed upon by historians.
What was the approximate size and composition of Hannibal's army that crossed the Alps?
What was the approximate size and composition of Hannibal's army that crossed the Alps?
The soil samples analyzed in the research were taken from a _________, a type of wetland environment.
The soil samples analyzed in the research were taken from a _________, a type of wetland environment.
What was the primary method used to analyze the soil samples to investigate Hannibal's route?
What was the primary method used to analyze the soil samples to investigate Hannibal's route?
The research team was initially intending to study Hannibal's route when they began collecting soil samples in the Alps.
The research team was initially intending to study Hannibal's route when they began collecting soil samples in the Alps.
What type of microbial signature in the soil samples suggested the presence of a large animal presence, potentially linked to Hannibal's army?
What type of microbial signature in the soil samples suggested the presence of a large animal presence, potentially linked to Hannibal's army?
The depth of the soil layer containing the microbial signatures associated with Hannibal was dated to approximately _________ years old.
The depth of the soil layer containing the microbial signatures associated with Hannibal was dated to approximately _________ years old.
Which bacterial phylum was found to be a significant component of the microbial signature suggesting animal presence?
Which bacterial phylum was found to be a significant component of the microbial signature suggesting animal presence?
Classical microbiology is more effective than metagenomics for studying the diversity of microorganisms in soil.
Classical microbiology is more effective than metagenomics for studying the diversity of microorganisms in soil.
Name two ancient historians who provided written accounts of Hannibal's crossing of the Alps.
Name two ancient historians who provided written accounts of Hannibal's crossing of the Alps.
The research findings were published in the journal _________, an archaeology-related scientific publication.
The research findings were published in the journal _________, an archaeology-related scientific publication.
What was one of the 'lessons learned' regarding media and scientific research, as mentioned in the presentation?
What was one of the 'lessons learned' regarding media and scientific research, as mentioned in the presentation?
The research on Hannibal's route received minimal media attention.
The research on Hannibal's route received minimal media attention.
What is meant by 'Bulk DNA sequencing' in the context of metagenomics?
What is meant by 'Bulk DNA sequencing' in the context of metagenomics?
The Col de la __________ is the mountain pass suggested by the research as Hannibal's likely route.
The Col de la __________ is the mountain pass suggested by the research as Hannibal's likely route.
What percentage of twitter mentions about the research were estimated to be from the general public, rather than scientists?
What percentage of twitter mentions about the research were estimated to be from the general public, rather than scientists?
Impactful research can always be planned and predicted from the outset of a project.
Impactful research can always be planned and predicted from the outset of a project.
What is the 'click economy' mentioned in the context of media?
What is the 'click economy' mentioned in the context of media?
According to JBS Haldane, 'Science is vastly more stimulating to the __________ than the classics.'
According to JBS Haldane, 'Science is vastly more stimulating to the __________ than the classics.'
Flashcards
Geomicrobiology
Geomicrobiology
A field that studies the microorganisms that cannot easily be grown in a lab.
Direct DNA/RNA isolation
Direct DNA/RNA isolation
The process of directly isolating DNA/RNA from an environmental sample.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
A technique used to amplify specific segments of DNA.
Metagenomics
Metagenomics
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Metagenomics: Bulk DNA sequencing
Metagenomics: Bulk DNA sequencing
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Punic Wars (2nd)
Punic Wars (2nd)
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Battle of Cannae
Battle of Cannae
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Hannibal's Route Across the Alps
Hannibal's Route Across the Alps
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The media and truth
The media and truth
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Impact of collaboration
Impact of collaboration
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Study Notes
Geomicrobiology
- 99% of microorganisms cannot be grown in a lab
- Soils represent microbiologically diverse and poorly understood environments
Metagenomics
- It is the bulk DNA sequencing of all organisms in a given sample
- It involves huge data masses to sort through to categorize organisms and functions
Alpine Paleosols
- They represent a pristine environment
Hannibal Background
- Hannibal was a Carthaginian General
- He is considered one of the greatest generals
- The Second Punic war was between Carthage and the Roman Republic in 218 BC
- Hannibal marched with ~30,000 infantry, ~7,000 cavalry, and 37 elephants
- They marched from Northern Spain across the Alps to attack Rome
- His army ransacked the Roman republic for 15 years
- He defeated the Roman Army at the Battle of Cannae where 50,000-70,000 died in a day
- Hannibal's route across the Alps is one of the major unanswered questions in ancient history
- The only two sources documenting this are ancient historians Polybius and Livy
Research Findings at Hannibal's suspected path
- Soil samples were collected from the mire below the Traversette pass
- DNA Sequencing was conducted
- Samples dated to approximately 2200 years old
- Research indicated elevated levels of horse-dung bacteria
Impact Statistics
- Both papers are in the top 5% of all research outputs tracked by Altmetric after 3 months
- Top 2 papers from Archaeometry in terms of media coverage
- The Conversation article has over 65,000 reads
- Picked up by 60 'official' news publications, excluding countless unofficial websites and news blogs
- 75% of Twitter mentions came from the public, not scientists
Lessons Learned
- Media outlets don't always tell the truth due to 'the click economy' but journalists can be collaborators
- Publicize research findings
- One can't plan for impact but can recognize high-impact discoveries
- Impact varies across cultural, historical, and economic lenses
- Future collaborations promoting work are unpredictable
- Never underestimate the power of a good story in research
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