Episodes

  • #12 – Zoonosis From the Sea: Covert Mortality Nodavirus

    #12 – Zoonosis From the Sea: Covert Mortality Nodavirus
    Apr 29 2026
    A virus previously known only from shrimp farms and fish is now linked to a serious eye disease in humans. Covert Mortality Nodavirus (CMNV) has been detected in over half of fish samples and nearly two-thirds of crab samples tested at markets and a new study in Nature Microbiology (March 2026) connects it to a persistent form of viral uveitis that can permanently damage the optic nerve and lead to severe vision loss.
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • #11 - Rhinoviruses: One of the Most Common Viral Infections Explained

    #11 - Rhinoviruses: One of the Most Common Viral Infections Explained
    Apr 22 2026
    Rhinoviruses are a highly diverse group of RNA viruses responsible for about half of all common cold infections and are something most people encounter multiple times in their lives. In this episode, Florian Krammer explains the biology of these non-enveloped viruses, their large number of strains, and how they infect the upper respiratory tract.
    Show More Show Less
    13 mins
  • #10 - Lassa Virus: Why This Infection Is Hard to Control

    #10 - Lassa Virus: Why This Infection Is Hard to Control
    Apr 15 2026
    Lassa virus is a rodent-borne arenavirus that causes Lassa fever, a hemorrhagic disease endemic in West Africa with hundreds of thousands of infections each year. In this episode, Florian Krammer explains the biology of this ambisense RNA virus, including its segmented genome and how it interacts with the immune system. The discussion covers transmission through contact with infected rodents, human-to-human spread via bodily fluids, and typical symptoms ranging from mild flu-like illness to severe disease with bleeding, organ failure, and neurological complications.
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • #9 – Hepatitis B: Prevention, Vaccines And Ongoing Challenges

    #9 – Hepatitis B: Prevention, Vaccines And Ongoing Challenges
    Apr 8 2026
    Hepatitis B virus is a globally widespread infection that primarily targets the liver and can lead to chronic disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. In this episode, Florian Krammer explains the unique biology of this DNA virus, including its unusual replication strategy involving reverse transcription and its ability to persist in cells as a stable mini-chromosome.
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • #8 – Nipah Virus: If It Mutates, It Could Become A Pandemic Threat

    #8 – Nipah Virus: If It Mutates, It Could Become A Pandemic Threat
    Apr 1 2026
    Nipah virus is a highly lethal zoonotic pathogen that can infect both the respiratory tract and the brain, making it one of the most concerning emerging viruses.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • #7 – ME/CFS: Causes, Symptoms and Unanswered Questions

    #7 – ME/CFS: Causes, Symptoms and Unanswered Questions
    Mar 25 2026
    ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome) is a complex and often misunderstood disease that affects the nervous system, immune system, and energy metabolism. In this episode, Florian Krammer explains the key symptoms, including severe fatigue, post-exertional malaise, sleep disturbances, and cognitive dysfunction, as well as the different levels of disease severity.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • #6 – MPOX: What We Know About The Recent Outbreaks

    #6 – MPOX: What We Know About The Recent Outbreaks
    Mar 18 2026
    Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a double-stranded DNA virus closely related to smallpox that has gained global attention in recent years. In this episode, Florian Krammer explains the biology of the virus, its complex life cycle, and its ability to spread both through zoonotic transmission from animal reservoirs such as rodents and through human-to-human contact, including close physical and sexual contact.
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • #5 – Epstein–Barr Virus: Why Almost Everyone Gets Infected

    #5 – Epstein–Barr Virus: Why Almost Everyone Gets Infected
    Mar 11 2026
    Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common human viruses, infecting around 90–95 percent of adults worldwide. In this episode, Florian Krammer explains the biology of EBV, a herpesvirus with a large DNA genome and a complex life cycle that includes both active replication and lifelong latent infection in B cells. The discussion covers how EBV spreads through saliva and close contact, why primary infection in adolescents often leads to infectious mononucleosis, and how the virus can persist silently in the body for decades.
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins