Science at UM [S03-ep16]: Postillons under the microscope
This week on Science at UM, Ashley Nord, a researcher at the Structural Biology Center, talks to us about bacteria, viruses, and droplets. Our report takes us on a tour of the Phenopsis platform with Myriam Dauzat. Finally, our last-minute guest is Ghyslaine Besançon, who presents the screening and discussion of the film Bigger Than Us. A program co-produced with Divergence FM and broadcast every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on 93.9.
We have all found ourselves in heated discussions with someone who is very angry or very drunk, who, overcome by emotion or alcohol, accompanies each word with a barrage of spittle, against which the only defense is to squint your eyes tightly while taking a small step back.
An unpleasant sensory experience, but also a form of intrusion, as if your conversation partner were not only sending you a mixture of water, proteins, and mineral ions—the composition of saliva, for your information. Did you know that the term "postillon" comes from the Italian word "postiglione"? "Post" refers to a horse-drawn carriage used to transport travelers.
At first glance, this seems quite far removed from our saliva projections, and yet these droplets also carry passengers. Remember Covid and our anxiety when one of these liquid bombs crashed into our faces. Yes, droplets are excellent vehicles for viruses. But are viruses the only ones to benefit from this fast and free means of transport? No, bacteria can also be airborne, as can be the case with the transmission of tuberculosis. Our guest has made these aerosols the subject of his latest paper published in the Journal of Aerosol Science.
She is a CNRS researcher and biophysicist at the Center for Structural Biology ( CBS ) and was one of eight winners of the Impulscience program awarded by the Bettencourt Foundation last November for her research on biofilms.
In the second part of the program, our latest report on the M3P platform takes us with Myriam Dauzat to see Phenopsis, an automated irrigation and image capture system in a grow room that allows the development of more than 500 plants to be monitored.
Finally, our last-minute guest is Ghyslaine Besançon, communications manager at the Institut Agro Montpellier, who will be presenting the screening and discussion of the film Bigger Than Us, which will take place on February 6 at 6 p.m.
At UM Science, you have the program, so let's get started!
Co-production: Divergence FM / University of Montpellier
Host: Lucie Lecherbonnier
Interview: Aline Périault / Lucie Lecherbonnier
Reporting: Aline Périault / Lucie Lecherbonnier
Production: Alice Rollet
Listen to the program “A l’UM la science” on Divergence FM 93.9
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