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Welcome to an eye-opening episode of our podcast, where we uncover the hidden dangers lurking in our food. Join me and our guest, Dr. Alfredo Torres, as we embark on a journey through bacteriology. In our conversation, Dr. Torres shares his personal experiences and expertise, shedding light on the recent recall of 1.7 tons of beef contaminated with E. coli. Discover the impact of this bacterium on our health, from urinary tract infections to kidney damage, and gain insights into the measures taken for food safety. Get ready for a thought-provoking exploration that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the importance of scientific research in safeguarding our well-being.
In this episode, we unravel the mysteries surrounding E. coli, diving deep into its existence in various animals, including humans. Dr. Alfredo Torres, a leading expert in the field, reveals how certain strains of E. coli have acquired virulence factors, allowing them to attach to cells and produce toxins that wreak havoc in our bodies. Learn about the severe consequences of these toxins entering our bloodstream, causing millions of illnesses and deaths worldwide. Join us as we journey through the intricate world of bacteria and its impact on our lives.
But that's not all - our conversation takes an unexpected turn as we explore the alarming connection between climate change and bacterial diseases. As the environment shifts, so do the conditions for bacterial growth, increasing the risk of contamination and infection. Join us as we delve into the effects of temperature on bacterial growth, the implications for food safety, and the urgent need for scientific research to address these changes. Learn something as we discuss the meaningful careers that await those passionate about unraveling mysteries and positively impacting the world. Don't miss out on this enlightening episode that will forever change the way you view the microscopic world around us.
Thanks for listening to the Infectious Science Podcast. Be sure to visit infectiousscience.org to join the conversation, access the show notes, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to receive our free materials.
We hope you enjoyed this new episode of Infectious Science, and if you did, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Please share this episode with others who may be interested in this topic!
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See you next time for a new episode!
Thanks for listening to the Infectious Science Podcast. Be sure to visit infectiousscience.org to join the conversation, access the show notes, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to receive our free materials.
We hope you enjoyed this new episode of Infectious Science, and if you did, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Please share this episode with others who may be interested in this topic!
Also, please don’t hesitate to ask questions or tell us which topics you want us to cover in future episodes. To get in touch, drop us a line in the comment section or send us a message on social media.
Twitter @Infectious_Sci
Instagram @tick_virus
Facebook Infectious Science Podcast
See you next time for a new episode!
Professor
Alfredo Torres, PhD. MS. is the Herman Barnett Distinguished Professor in Microbiology and Immunology, and Associate Provost at UTMB. He is a peer-recognized bacteriologist/vaccinologist with extensive experience in the study of bacterial pathogens causing diarrheal disease, such as pathogenic Escherichia coli or Shigella, or biodefense-related organisms, such as pathogenic Burkholderia species. His laboratory has published more than 150 peer-reviewed publications, 15 book chapters and 3 books on topics related to microbial pathogenesis, food safety, therapeutics, and vaccine development. The major interest of my lproducing suitable vaccines and therapeutics. My laboratory has constructed top candidate vaccines, which are in development and testing against pathogenic Burkholderia and E. coli, and we are moving forward testing them in pre-clinical and eventually, phase one clinical trials. In Latino America, he is the founder and coordinator of the Latin American Coalition for Escherichia coli Research (LACER) and a fellow of the Academy of Sciences of Latin America.
