This Week in Virology

This Week in Virology — TWiV to its devoted listeners — became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Vincent Racaniello has been running this show since 2008, long before anyone cared about spike proteins. Racaniello is a Columbia University professor of microbiology and immunology, and he leads a rotating panel of co-hosts including virologists Brianne Barker, Rich Condit, Alan Dove, Dickson Despommier, and Kathy Spindler. The format is a weekly panel discussion where the team dissects recent virology research papers. They cover everything from emerging pathogens and vaccine development to the molecular mechanics of viral replication. Episodes vary widely in length — anywhere from 30 minutes to nearly two hours — depending on how much there is to unpack. The discussions are technical but accessible if you have a basic science background. Racaniello has a gift for explaining complex molecular biology without losing the nuance. TWiV is part of MicrobeTV, a nonprofit science podcast network that Racaniello founded. The show has over 2,000 Apple ratings with a 4.8 star average, and it's built a fiercely loyal community of listeners who send in questions, listener picks, and corrections. The vibe is collegial — like eavesdropping on a faculty meeting where everyone actually likes each other. For anyone with an interest in viruses, immunology, or infectious disease biology, TWiV remains the gold standard in the podcasting world.