The Volland Lab in the Media
Science News article on our work
3-D microscopy shows that the giant bacterium Thiovulum imperiosus squeezes its DNA into peripheral pouches, not a central mass like typical bacteria.
By Meghan Rosen December 17, 2025
Matters Microbial Podcast - Aug. 25
Episode #103 – "Giant Bacteria and Bigger Questions"
Dr. Jean‑Marie Volland (UCSB Assistant Professor) joins to discuss Thiomargarita magnifica—the largest bacterium known—stretching nearly a centimeter in length. They dig into the implications of such a large microbe and what it means for biology and microbial scale.
Daily Nexus - April 2024
Faculty Feature
In this profile, Dr. Jean-Marie Volland shares the discovery of Thiomargarita magnifica, the world's largest known bacterium, and how it’s reshaping what we know about microbial life. From scuba dives in Guadeloupe to cutting-edge microscopy at UCSB, the piece explores his scientific journey and vision for the lab.
ASM Podcast - Nov. 2022
The Largest Bacterium
Dr. Jean-Marie Volland joins ASM’s podcast to talk about Thiomargarita magnifica, a giant bacterium that challenges textbook definitions of microbial life. He shares how this discovery emerged from mangrove swamps, what it reveals about cellular complexity, and why looking in overlooked places leads to breakthroughs.
Padverb Podcast - Sept. 2022
Episode 015: Bacterial Magnificence
What happens when a bacterium breaks all the rules?
In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Jean-Marie Volland joins host KMO to discuss the discovery of Thiomargarita magnifica—a bacterium so large it can be seen with the naked eye—and what it means for our understanding of evolution, complexity, and life itself.
TWIM Podcast - July 2022
This Week in Microbiology (TWiM) featured our discovery of Thiomargarita magnifica, the world’s largest known bacterium. In two episodes, the hosts explore how this giant cell—with membrane-bound DNA compartments—challenges long-held ideas about bacterial complexity and size.
NPR Short Wave - June 2022
Micro Wave: Scientists Discover GINORMOUS Bacteria
Listen to this quick-hit episode on the discovery of Thiomargarita magnifica, a giant bacterium found in Caribbean mangroves that’s visible to the naked eye. NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce breaks down what makes this microbe so extraordinary—in under 10 minutes.
Global Press - June 2022
International Coverage of our T. magnifica Discovery.
Following the 2022 Science publication describing T. magnifica, major media outlets around the globe highlighted our discovery. Explore a curated selection of the most insightful and engaging stories about the largest and most complex bacterium ever described.
Medium Article - Feb. 2021
Science, snorkels, and sulfur-eating giants.
In this field story, Dr. Volland takes his family on a road trip–turned–mobile lab to search for giant sulfur bacteria in hydrothermal vents along the California coast. The piece blends science, adventure, and the hunt for microbes that could unlock secrets about the origins of complex life.