239: Inside ASM Microbe 2026

241: What Can Whole Genome Sequencing Realistically Tell Us About Resistance?

Recorded live at ASM Microbe 2026 in Washington, DC, this special episode marks the first live recording of Let's Talk Micro. Joining me are co-host Dr. Andrea Prinzi and guest Dr. Nathan Ledeboer for a discussion on the evolving role of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in clinical microbiology and antimicrobial resistance. Can whole genome sequencing predict antimicrobial susceptibility? What are its current limitations? How close are we to incorporating WGS into routine clinical microbiology laboratories? Throughout the conversation, we explore the opportunities and challenges of implementing sequencing technologies, including bioinformatics, workflow, reimbursement, and the need for continued collaboration between microbiologists, infectious diseases specialists, pharmacists, and antimicrobial stewardship teams. We also discuss how WGS may transform outbreak investigations, epidemiologic surveillance, and the future role of the clinical microbiologist as advanced diagnostics become increasingly integrated into patient care. Whether you're a bench microbiologist, laboratory leader, infectious diseases professional, or student, this episode offers an exciting look at where clinical microbiology is headed and what whole genome sequencing can realistically tell us about antimicrobial resistance. Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: * Website: letstalkmicro.com [https://www.letstalkmicro.com/] * Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com [letstalkmicro@outlook.com] * Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8 [https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8] Support the podcast: * Venmo [https://venmo.com/u/letstalkmicro] * Buy me a Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/letstalkmicro]

240: CLSI M100 2026: Actualizaciones

En este episodio en español de Let's Talk Micro, Luis conversa nuevamente con el Dr. Germán Esparza sobre los cambios más relevantes incluidos en la edición 2026 del documento CLSI M100. Durante la conversación, revisan nuevas opciones terapéuticas como aztreonam-avibactam, actualizaciones en los puntos de corte para Acinetobacter y Neisseria gonorrhoeae, cambios en aminoglucósidos, consideraciones de control de calidad y los desafíos asociados con las pruebas de susceptibilidad para el complejo Burkholderia cepacia. Además, discuten cómo los laboratorios pueden evaluar e implementar estos cambios de manera segura, la importancia de la colaboración con los programas de optimización de antimicrobianos y ofrecen un adelanto de la próxima edición del documento CLSI M45. Temas discutidos: * Aztreonam-avibactam y resistencia antimicrobiana * Actualizaciones de puntos de corte y pruebas de susceptibilidad * Control de calidad e implementación de cambios en el laboratorio * Avances y perspectivas para CLSI M45 🔗 Recursos Acceda gratuitamente al CLSI M100: https://em100.edaptivedocs.net/Login.aspx [https://em100.edaptivedocs.net/Login.aspx] Manténgase conectado con Let's Talk Micro: * Página web: letstalkmicro.com [https://www.letstalkmicro.com/] * ¿Preguntas o comentarios? Escríba a letstalkmicro@outlook.com [letstalkmicro@outlook.com] * ¿Le interesa participar como invitado en Let's Talk Micro? Complete el siguiente formulario: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8 [https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8] Apoya el pódcast: * Venmo [https://venmo.com/u/letstalkmicro] * Buy me a Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/letstalkmicro]

239: Inside ASM Microbe 2026

ASM Microbe is the largest microbiology meeting in the United States, bringing together thousands of scientists, laboratorians, clinicians, and industry partners to discuss the latest advances in microbiology. In this episode, Luis shares highlights from ASM Microbe 2026, including sessions on diagnostic challenges, antimicrobial resistance, rapid susceptibility testing, emerging therapeutics, laboratory automation, phage therapy, and whole-genome sequencing. Topics include a Brucella case that reinforces the importance of Gram stain interpretation, updates on resistance mechanisms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and KPC-producing organisms, advances in rapid AST, and innovations showcased in the vendor hall. Luis also discusses several posters that caught his attention, covering pharyngeal gonorrhea, direct-from-specimen susceptibility testing, phage testing, rapid resistance reporting for Mycobacterium abscessus, and CRISPR-based diagnostics for bloodstream infections. Whether you attended ASM Microbe 2026 or couldn't make it this year, this episode provides a practical overview of some of the trends, technologies, and conversations shaping the future of clinical microbiology. Topics Discussed: • Diagnostic challenges in clinical microbiology • Rapid identification and susceptibility testing • Antimicrobial resistance and emerging therapies • ESKAPE pathogens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa • Laboratory automation and AI-assisted workflows • Phage therapy and phage susceptibility testing • Whole-genome sequencing and CRISPR diagnostics Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: * Website: letstalkmicro.com [https://www.letstalkmicro.com/] * Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com [letstalkmicro@outlook.com] * Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8 [https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8] Support the podcast: * Venmo [https://venmo.com/u/letstalkmicro] * Buy me a Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/letstalkmicro]

238: From the Bench to CPEP: An MLS Journey

What does it take to go from working at the bench to becoming a future clinical microbiology laboratory director? In this episode, Luis is joined by Dr. Mackenzie Collins, a CPEP fellow at UCLA, to discuss her journey from Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) to PhD scientist and CPEP fellow. Mackenzie shares how she discovered laboratory medicine, her experience working as an MLS in molecular microbiology, and the mentors and opportunities that helped shape her career path. The conversation explores the CPEP fellowship, the role of laboratory directors, and how MLS professionals can strengthen their applications through projects, research, presentations, and professional involvement. Mackenzie also discusses her PhD work involving HIV reservoirs and long-read sequencing, and why genomics and molecular diagnostics will continue to play an increasingly important role in clinical microbiology. Whether you're considering graduate school, interested in the CPEP fellowship, or exploring career paths in laboratory medicine, this episode offers a firsthand look at one MLS's journey from the bench to clinical microbiology leadership. Topics discussed: * The MLS-to-CPEP pathway and transitioning from the bench to graduate school * Mentorship, professional development, and building a competitive application * The role of clinical microbiology laboratory directors and career opportunities beyond the bench * Sequencing, genomics, and the future of clinical microbiology Additional Resources CPEP Fellowship Overview with Dr. Sam Goodfellow Interested in learning more about the CPEP Fellowship? In this episode, Dr. Sam Goodfellow discusses the structure of the program, the application process, and what to expect from CPEP training. https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/36395120 [https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/36395120] Understanding the ABMM Certification Examination Learn more about the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM) certification, its importance for future laboratory directors, and what candidates can expect from the examination process. https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/35868345 [https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/35868345] Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: * Website: letstalkmicro.com [https://www.letstalkmicro.com/] * Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com [letstalkmicro@outlook.com] * Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8 [https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8] Support the podcast: * Venmo [https://venmo.com/u/letstalkmicro] * Buy me a Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/letstalkmicro]

237: Micro Minutes: A Case of Mistaken Identity

Have you ever received an identification result that just didn't make sense? In this episode, Luis shares three cases of mistaken identity from the microbiology laboratory: a Gram-positive rod identified as Kocuria, another reported as Sphingomonas, and a yeast that somehow became Brucella. While automated identification systems are powerful tools, they can only work with the information we provide. These examples highlight an important lesson for every microbiologist: always correlate the identification with the Gram stain, colony morphology, and other bench observations. When the result doesn't fit, take a step back and ask a simple question: Does it make sense? Join us for a quick Micro Minutes on critical thinking, correlation, and why the Gram stain remains one of the most valuable tools in the microbiology laboratory. Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: * Website: letstalkmicro.com [https://www.letstalkmicro.com/] * Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com [letstalkmicro@outlook.com] * Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8 [https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8] Support the podcast: * Venmo [https://venmo.com/u/letstalkmicro] * Buy me a Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/letstalkmicro]