{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-article-entry-tsx","path":"/article/life-in-the-wind-the-hidden-world-of-airborne-microbes/","result":{"data":{"contentful":{"article":{"sys":{"id":"4bcvGrJX1THnP8TY3W3ro4","publishedVersion":18},"headSnippet":null,"title":"Life in the wind: The hidden world of airborne microbes","urlSlug":"life-in-the-wind-the-hidden-world-of-airborne-microbes","metaDescription":"Hilary Ireland chats with microbiologist Steve Archer about the fascinating world of airborne microorganisms, from microbes travelling across oceans to their role shaping ecosystems even Antarctica.","byline":null,"heroBlurb":null,"eventDate":null,"contentType":{"sys":{"id":"1SYTApJiYGwV5qPzu1RTOs","publishedVersion":8},"name":"Podcasts","singularName":"Podcast"},"podcast":{"channel":{"applePodcastUrl":"https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/scigest-plant-food-research-podcasts/id1299894180","spotifyPodcastUrl":"https://open.spotify.com/show/5FdJI8XCh2IQxPTstEl2lF","rssUrlSlug":"rss-podcasts","label":"Scigest","description":"Welcome to Scigest - podcast-sized servings of digestible science from the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Join us as we explore the advancements and impact our scientists are making in advancing innovation in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, biotechnology and manufacturing; protecting ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and developing new bio-based technologies and products. Listen to our scientists as they share and discuss current research in Aotearoa New Zealand, and beyond in this award-winning podcast collection. Make sure to visit www.plantandfood.com/scigest for even more information on Scigest!\n\nTo help you discover the podcast topics and research that interests you, Scigest is split into series, each covering different scientific topics. The series are as follows: \n\nPPF: People|Planet|Food\nFTS: From the sea\nFTL: From the land\nBDIS: Biosecurity, disease and insect science\nSTK: Science in the kitchen\nNT: New technologies\nID: International development\nSLFM: Science life for me (Our people)\nSMAS: Science movers and shakers\nSIS: Starting in science","author":"New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited","email":"scigest@plantandfood.co.nz"},"file":{"title":"Life in the wind: The hidden world of airborne microbes","url":"https://downloads.ctfassets.net/y9no91j9bwnp/4ie5QHpjrSru1KkExxd49q/7454e86473f2bd76823b333e4e098e5c/life-in-the-wind-the-hidden.mp3"},"description":"What’s floating in the air around us, and where does it come from and where does it go? Scientist and Scigest host Hilary Ireland chats with microbiologist Steve Archer about the fascinating world of airborne microorganisms, from microbes travelling across oceans to their role in shaping ecosystems even down in Antarctica.\nDiscover how this invisible world could help us better understand biodiversity, predict the spread of pests and protect Aotearoa’s biosecurity. With insights from Steve’s research, this episode explores the science of airborne life and the mysteries researchers are still trying to solve.\n\nIf you missed the previous episode with Steve, where we discussed his journey into science and some of the experiences and projects that have shaped his career, you can catch up here on our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/science-life-for-me","title":"Life in the wind: The hidden world of airborne microbes"},"cardImage":{"sys":{"id":"21uJduo9kOzl1CIwuVXlGs","publishedVersion":4},"url":"https://images.ctfassets.net/y9no91j9bwnp/21uJduo9kOzl1CIwuVXlGs/01c9bab6e7e1505e7e49abf8fe9ebc5a/podcast-2026-life-in-the-wind.JPG","title":"Life in the wind: The hidden world of airborne microbes","height":693,"width":1232,"contentType":"image/jpeg"},"shareImage":{"url":"https://images.ctfassets.net/y9no91j9bwnp/21uJduo9kOzl1CIwuVXlGs/01c9bab6e7e1505e7e49abf8fe9ebc5a/podcast-2026-life-in-the-wind.JPG"},"publishDate":"2026-11-09T00:00:00.000+12:00","content":null,"contactBlock":{"__typename":"Contentful_BlockGetInTouch","sys":{"id":"3vtnDWOEZfTHV2fURsAIO1","publishedVersion":39},"heading":"Get in touch","subHeading":"Interested?","colourway":{"label":"Purple"},"callToAction":{"__typename":"Contentful_Link","sys":{"id":"6duaiOQrpF2reo5g7x0uRd","publishedVersion":7},"label":"Contact Us","externalUrl":null,"internalPageQueryString":null,"openInNewTab":null,"internalPage":{"__typename":"Contentful_Page","urlSlug":"contact-us"},"variant":"Primary","buttonSize":"large","file":null},"image":{"__typename":"Contentful_ImageWithFocalPoint","sys":{"id":"57Egf2RaZ9AoZ0DHpZMbAz","publishedVersion":3},"focalPoint":{"focalPoint":{"x":1201,"y":388}},"image":{"sys":{"id":"2auskQdAfK9HTQwqy8X1eW","publishedVersion":4},"url":"https://images.ctfassets.net/y9no91j9bwnp/2auskQdAfK9HTQwqy8X1eW/1f04e3f46bb9358358ac9173464795d0/image3.png","title":"Get in Touch","height":792,"width":1440,"contentType":"image/png"}}},"creditsCollection":{"items":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Hilary","lastName":"Ireland","urlSlug":"hilary-ireland","bio":"Kia ora, I am a plant molecular biologist specialising in the genetics of flower and fruit development important for fruit set, size, shape and structure. My PhD took an evolutionary perspective on the genetic regulation of apple fruit flesh development through comparison of apple with a dry-fruiting relative. \nI have the privilege of being the Plant & Food Research Early Career Researcher Liaison, working alongside the talented early-career students and staff both at Plant & Food Research and the Science NZ member organisations. I have the pleasure of being a Scigest podcaster and enjoy helping other scientists share their stories.","photo":{"sys":{"id":"3hXRs9Gheon825mDsM2IyY","publishedVersion":5},"url":"https://images.ctfassets.net/y9no91j9bwnp/3hXRs9Gheon825mDsM2IyY/a4393060957e5c434ad47f85f3888a61/profile-photo-hilary-ireland.jpg","title":"Hilary Ireland ","height":3279,"width":3279,"contentType":"image/jpeg"}}]},"marketingTeamCredit":false,"researchAreasCollection":{"items":[]},"sectorsCollection":{"items":[]}}}},"pageContext":{"id":"4bcvGrJX1THnP8TY3W3ro4","preview":false,"language":"en-nz","intl":{"language":"en-nz","languages":["en-nz","en-au","pt-br"],"messages":{"usefulLinksHeading":"Useful Links","footerNewsletterSubscribeHeading":"Subscribe to our newsletter","footerNewsletterSubscribeSuccess":"Thanks for subscribing!","formValidation.unexpectedError":"An unexpected error has occurred. 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