This Week in Virology (abbreviated as TWiV; /ˈtwɪv/) is a science podcast founded and hosted by Vincent Racaniello[1] with co-hosts Brianne Barker, Rich Condit, Dickson Despommier, Alan Dove, and Kathy Spindler. The podcast, which began in 2008, covers all things viruses ("the kind that make you sick!") and gained a significant audience during the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][3] Originally available in audio form only, the show added a video-conference stream in 2020. In addition to regular panelists, there are frequent segments featuring front-line researchers, including director of the NIAID, Anthony Fauci.[4] It is one of several podcasts at microbe.tv that are hosted by Vincent Racaniello.[citation needed]
| This Week in Virology | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by | Vincent Racaniello (2008—present) with co-hosts: Dickson Despommier (2008—present) Alan Dove (2008—present) Rich Condit (2009—present) Kathy Spindler (2012—present) Brianne Barker (2018—present) Angela Mingarelli (2022—present) Jolene Ramsey (2023—present) |
| Genre | Science, Virology |
| Format |
|
| Created by | Vincent Racaniello |
| Language | English |
| Length | 40 minutes – 2.5 hours |
| Production | |
| Video format | YouTube |
| Audio format | MP3 |
| No. of episodes | 1013 (as of 4 June 2023) plus 24 special episodes |
| Publication | |
| Original release | September 24, 2008 |
| Provider | microbe.tv |
| Related | |
| Website | www |
Evolving coverage
editThis Week in Virology grew its audience significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and although its title remained the same, in early 2020, the frequency of podcasts increased to two or three per week in order to cover breaking news about the dynamic state of research and treatment of the disease.[citation needed]
A physician specializing in infectious diseases, Daniel O. Griffin, who is located in the New York metropolitan area,[5] became a reoccurring guest to give clinical updates on Coronavirus disease 2019. Since December 2020, Griffin's clinical updates are given separate episode numbers and featured as standalone elements that may be accessed individually. Depending upon current events, his clinical updates vary from a half hour to an hour and may cover other pandemics.[citation needed]
Due to the Trump Administration's conflicting statements about the nature and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, during that time the podcast received criticism from some quarters for getting "too involved in politics", to which the panelists replied that they would not get involved in politics if politics would not get involved in the science.[6]
From TWiV 962 (11 December 2022), Angela Mingarelli, who had made her debut in TWiV 946, joined the podcast as a co-host. TWiV 962 also featured a guest appearance by Angela's sister, astrophysicist Chiara Mingarelli.[7]
In 2023, Dr. Jolene Ramsey was added as a host. She is a bacteriophage researcher.[8]
References
edit- ^ Joy, William (2020-05-11). "Virology professor separates fact from fiction about the coronavirus". wfaa.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
- ^ "TWiV 645: Lions and tigers and zookeepers (oh my)". This Week in Virology. July 26, 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-07-05. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
- ^ Columbia University (2020-03-31). "Viral Columbia Podcast Keeps Listeners Up to Date on Coronavirus". Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Archived from the original on 2021-05-22. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
- ^ "Guests". This Week in Virology. December 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-06-03. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
- ^ "Daniel Griffin, MD". ProHEALTH Care. Archived from the original on 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
- ^ Walczak, Bill (July 2, 2020). "The virology podcast TWIV has become an essential source for COVID-19 news". Dorchester Reporter. Archived from the original on 2020-10-19. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
- ^ "TWiV 962: Chiara Mingarelli takes the pulse of the universe". 2022-12-11. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
- ^ "TWiV 1039: Landmines for phages, a mouthful of redondoviruses". 2023-08-27. Retrieved 2023-09-20.