Mycorrhizae & microplastics: Working with microbes for a changing planet

How can microbes help us to “survive the next century without a wrenching global catastrophe’? This episode is inspired by a book called The Wizard & The Prophet, by Charles C Mann. It’s all about two different ways that scientists tend to view the challenge that humanity must face in order to survive — and maybe even thrive — on earth in the future. In this episode, we take a microbial view. First, we focus in on one story about how microbes can help from the ‘prophet’ perspective – working with microbes to preserve ecosystems. Then, we dive into a story from the ‘wizard’ perspective, and discuss how we can leverage microbes as a futuristic technology. Whether you're more of a 'wizard' or a 'prophet', we hope we'll convince you of one thing: that the future will be microbial!ReferencesMann, C. C. (2019). The wizard and the prophet: two remarkable scientists and their dueling visions to shape tomorrow's world. Vintage Books.Sosa-Hernández MA et al. Subsoil arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for sustainability and climate-smart agriculture: A solution right under our feet? Front Microbiol (2019). doi:10.3389/fmicb.2019.00744Nihart AJ et al. Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains. Nat Med (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03453-1Li T et al. Breakdown of polyethylene therepthalate microplastics under saltwater conditions using engineered Vibrio natriegens. AIChE J (2023). doi:10.1002/aic.18228Yoshida S et al. A bacterium that degrades and assimilates poly(ethylene terephthalate). Science (2016). doi:10.1126/science.aad6359