Applied Microbiology International

The world’s fermented foods in health and history The use of microbes in food fermentation dates back thousands of years; archaeological evidence suggests that fermented beverages such as rice wine were produced in China as early as 7000 BC, while bread and beer were staples in ancient Egypt.

The latest feature in #TheMicrobiologist explores fermented foods throughout history and the health benefits of those still used today. https://www.the-microbiologist.com/features/the-worlds-fermented-foods-in-health-and-history/7985.article

@senseaboutsci.bsky.social @voiceofyoungsci.bsky.social

Book your free place at the next #StandingUpforScience workshop, designed to help ECRs gain the confidence to engage in public conversations about science: https://senseaboutscience.org/activities/standing-up-for-science-workshop-university-of-manchester/

📍University of Manchester
📅 20 March 2026

​Lower tillage boosts the soil’s natural phosphorus cycle - cutting the need for costly fertilizer inputs Long-term tillage reduction helps to restore the soil's natural phosphorus cycle, supporting more sustainable nutrient management with less reliance on costly and finite fertilizer inputs, according to a new study published in Sustainable Microbiology.

Reducing tillage can restore the soil’s natural phosphorus cycle, according to a study published in SMI https://www.the-microbiologist.com/news/lower-tillage-boosts-the-soils-natural-phosphorus-cycle-cutting-the-need-for-costly-fertilizer-inputs/8112.article Juan Luis Ramos CSIC AMI Journals

World Water Day 2026: Water’s Role in Gender Equality

Join us for the first session in our Advisory Group webinar series:

World Water Day 2026: Water’s Role in Gender Equality
📅 18 March 2026 | 💻 Free online webinar

Book your place: https://appliedmicrobiology.org/ems-event-calendar/world-water-day-2026-water-s-role-in-gender-equality.html

Policy Report: Improving Soil Health in the UK This brief emphasises the need to foster effective communication across the soil stakeholder spectrum to build the trust and open-mindedness to risk that is necessary for enabling wide-scale, lasting change.

Our latest Policy report highlights why better communication across the soil stakeholder spectrum is key to building trust and creating lasting change in soil health 🌱

Read the full report here: https://appliedmicrobiology.org/resource/policy-report-improving-soil-health-in-the-uk.html

​Lower tillage boosts the soil’s natural phosphorus cycle - cutting the need for costly fertilizer inputs Long-term tillage reduction helps to restore the soil's natural phosphorus cycle, supporting more sustainable nutrient management with less reliance on costly and finite fertilizer inputs, according to a new study published in Sustainable Microbiology.

Reducing tillage long term can restore the soil’s natural phosphorus cycle according to a cross-Europe study published in SMI https://www.the-microbiologist.com/news/lower-tillage-boosts-the-soils-natural-phosphorus-cycle-cutting-the-need-for-costly-fertilizer-inputs/8112.article

Webinar: What does it mean when environmental microbiomes are described as resilient? Environmental microbiomes are often described as 'resilient' - but what does that even mean? A free upcoming webinar and coffee hour delivered by Dr Ashley Shade, as part of the Microbes and Social Eq...

Environmental microbiomes are often described as ‘resilient’ - but what does that even mean? A free upcoming webinar and coffee hour part of the MSE (@microsocequity.bsky.social) 2026 Speaker Series, aims to find out. www.the-microbiologist.com/news/webinar... @ashley17061.bsky.social

AMI Journals (@ami-journals.bsky.social) Advancing the global impact of applied microbiology

We’re excited to announce the launch of our brand new Bluesky page, AMI Journals! Follow for the latest news and updates from our journals – Journal of Applied Microbiology, Letters in Applied Microbiology and Sustainable Microbiology. 📚

https://bsky.app/profile/ami-journals.bsky.social

In case you missed it - our Diversity & Inclusion Strategy launched recently (see it in full on our website).

It sets out 8 key aims that will shape our actions and commitments moving forward.

Swipe through the carousel below to discover them all ➡️

Are you an #EarlyCareerScientist ready to showcase your work?

#LAMECS2026 is a fantastic opportunity to present your first talk or poster, build confidence and network.

Submit your abstract by 22 March 2026: https://appliedmicrobiology.org/ems-event-calendar/lamecs-2026/submit-your-abstract.html

From roots to riches: mycorrhizal fungi and the future of farming Feeding a growing population while rebuilding depleted soils is one of agriculture's biggest challenges. When fungal networks are thriving, they can improve nutrient uptake, support stronger root systems, and reduce the need for fuels to stretch as far, with their input. It's a small-scale partnership with big implications for the ...

A new feature in The Microbiologist explores arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agriculture and looks at whether they can help us overcome the limitations of traditional methods https://www.the-microbiologist.com/features/from-roots-to-riches-mycorrhizal-fungi-and-the-future-of-farming/7905.article

Don’t miss your chance to fund a summer research project in applied microbiology! Our Summer Studentship Grant helps students gain valuable research experience. Applications close in a few days 👇

From ambassadorship to action: Leading a national scientific writing and publishing workshop in the UK Medical Microbiologist and Antimicrobial Resistance Researcher Dr. Oluwole Owoyemi, ASM Young Ambassador to the UK, reveals why he designed a scientific writing and publishing workshop for early care...

Medical microbiologist and AMR researcher Dr Oluwole Owoyemi, reveals why he designed a scientific writing and publishing workshop for early career scientists - and how it went. www.the-microbiologist.com/news/from-am... @glasgowcaledonian.bsky.social @asm.org

⏰ Final call: Lay Trustee opportunity

Help shape the future of applied microbiology. To apply, send an up-to-date CV and supporting statement to applications@trustees-unlimited.co.uk

How should non-human species be included in policy & governance—especially around emerging technologies? We’re inviting evidence, frameworks & examples from the microbiology community to feed into an RSB-led response. Deadline: 10 Feb 📩 policy@appliedmicrobiology.org

LAMECS returns on Thursday 18 June 2026 at Manchester Metropolitan University! This year’s programme spans all aspects of applied microbiology, including food, health, environment, industry, and microbial ecology.

Book your place: https://appliedmicrobiology.org/ems-event-calendar/lamecs-2026.html

Our special issue on Food & Fermentation is now live on #TheMicrobiologist 🍞🥛

Featuring cutting-edge research and opinion from across the world, we’re excited to bring you the science, stories and innovations shaping food/fermentation today. https://www.the-microbiologist.com/ami/special-issues

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Horizon Awards 🏆

Do you know someone driving real impact in applied microbiology — from public health and policy to food security, D&I, or the environment?

Nominate them now: https://appliedmicrobiology.org/advocacy-policy/horizon-awards.html

We’re proud to launch our new D&I Strategy. Built around 8 key aims, the strategy sets out how we’ll promote inclusion, support underrepresented microbiologists, and create opportunities for everyone to thrive.

Find out more: https://appliedmicrobiology.org/about/diversity-and-inclusion.html

Join AMI as a Trustee! Visit trustees-unlimited.co.uk/roles/lay-tr... to find out more & apply.

From Earth to space - exploring fungi in extraterrestrial environments Fungi are incredible organisms in terms of plasticity, resilience, and adaptation. However, they have the potential to both help and hinder us.

With renewed momentum in space exploration, we revisit a feature that took us from Earth to space, exploring the surprising role fungi could play 🌌 https://www.the-microbiologist.com/features/from-earth-to-space-exploring-fungi-in-extraterrestrial-environments/5071.article

Are you seeking funding for summer research projects for undergraduates, recent graduates, and Master’s students in applied microbiology?

Apply for the AMI Summer Studentship Grant by 14 Feb 2026: https://appliedmicrobiology.org/funding/summer-studentship-grant.html

Listeria: the inconvenient truth that shaped our industry Director General of the Chilled Food Association, Karin Goodburn MBE, who sits on AMI's Food Security Advisory Group, reveals why the publication of new Listeria guidance for the UK food industry is r...

Director General of the Chilled Food Association, Karin Goodburn MBE, who sits on AMI’s Food Security Advisory Group, reveals why the publication of new Listeria guidance for the UK food industry is regarded as a landmark moment. www.the-microbiologist.com/opinion/list...

@ossila.bsky.social

​From Petri dishes to chips: what can microbiology learn from microfluidics? Microfluidics is a fast-growing field focused on manipulating tiny volumes of fluid, often within channels no wider than a human hair. Despite its potential, around 90% of microbial experiments are st...

Microfluidics is a fast-growing field focused on manipulating tiny volumes of fluid. Despite its potential, ~90% of microbial experiments are still carried out under static conditions. What are we missing by ignoring flow, and how can microfluidics help? www.the-microbiologist.com/features/fro...

The National Collection of Pathogenic Viruses (NCPV): a critical resource for virology and public health It's now 25 years since the National Collection of Pathogenic Viruses (NCPV) was founded as a dedicated, secure, and relevant national virus repository for the UK. Jane Burton, Teresa Ramalho and Til...

It’s now 25 years since the National Collection of Pathogenic Viruses was founded. Jane Burton, Teresa Ramalho and Tilly Maybery explore how the collection has evolved - and is tackling future global health concerns. www.the-microbiologist.com/careers/the-... @culturecollections.bsky.social

The latest feature in The Microbiologist explores how DNA modifications allow phages to evade bacterial defence mechanisms 🧬
https://www.the-microbiologist.com/features/unlocking-the-secrets-of-phages-dna-modification-discoveries-offer-new-weapons-against-antimicrobial-resistance/7604.article

Biologist Dr. Toby Kiers wins Tyler Prize, calls fungi key to restoring degraded land and an untapped ally for the earth Evolutionary biologist Dr. Toby Kiers, a world-renowned expert on mycorrhizal networks, is being awarded the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement for her "transformative" work, the Tyler Prize Executive Committee announced today.

Evolutionary biologist Dr Toby Kiers, a world-renowned expert on mycorrhizal networks and member of the Soil Stars, is being awarded the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement for her transformative work www.the-microbiologist.com/news/biologi... @tobykiers.bsky.social @spun.earth