Microorganisms

蜜桃影像 experts are exploring how we can work with, defend against, and harness the capabilities of the estimated five nonillion microbes living on Earth today.

This time-lapse shows a few days’ growth of microbes from a hand. Explore more from the exhibit.

Exploring the world inside us

The human body contains trillions of microorganisms, with the largest numbers found in the intestines. Scientists are just beginning to discover all the ways these microbes interact with our bodily functions.

Common diseases

A large-scale study demonstrates a clear association between specific microbial species in the gut, certain foods, and the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Cancer

Unravelling how microbes enhance the body鈥檚 response to cancer treatments

Vaginal health

Sharing research to help people understand an overlooked microbiome

Dental health

Exploring how tongue microbes are very different from teeth microbes

Exercise

Understanding how a microbe in elite athletes helps exercise performance in mice

Happiness

Detailing the links between specific gut bacteria and positive emotions

Introducing

Sphingomonas solaris

A new bacterium found on solar panels at the Arnold Arboretum.

Supporting the world around us

Scientists are utilizing microbes to help advance sustainability and turn the tide on climate change.

We envision a truly circular economy in which microbes convert gases to commodity products鈥攆rom plastics to food to clothes, etc.鈥�

Shannon Nangle

Research associate and co-leader of the Circe project alongside Research Scientist Marika Ziesack (right).

Plastic eaters

Plastic-eating microbes capable of degrading multiple types of plastics could help reduce global waste and mitigate pollution.

Climate coolers

Scientists have found that coastal mud bacteria are able to produce climate cooling gases that reflect sunlight away from Earth.

Carbon captors

Researchers are exploring reductions in global warming by genetically turbocharging an oceanic bacterium鈥檚 natural ability to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Single-cell and ready to mingle

蜜桃影像 experts are uncovering bacterial mysteries, exploring their medical potential, and learning how a fungus can control an animal’s behavior.

Controlling the mind

Postdoc Carolyn Elya explores how a fungal parasite turns insects into zombies to learn more about how microbes can affect behavior.

Peering into the cell

Two leaders in single-cell genomics have developed novel tools to learn more about how cells with the same genome can have such varied functions.

Sharing with your baby

Bacteria in the maternal gut share genes with the child鈥檚 intestinal microbes during early life, potentially contributing to immune and cognitive development.

Sneaking around the body

蜜桃影像 alum Maddy McFarland explores how Trypanosoma cruzi, a unicellular parasite, transforms its shape to sneak inside our cells undetected.

Treating pain

Associate Professor of Immunology Isaac Chiu found that by injecting anthrax toxin into the nervous system of mice, it quieted pain fibers without causing addiction and off-target effects.

Teaming up to fight bacteria

蜜桃影像 faculty and alums are uncovering and exploiting viruses鈥� potential in treating bacterial infections.

Following the breadcrumbs

蜜桃影像 Medical School scientists have developed a DNA-barcoded microbial system that can be used to rapidly and accurately determine the sources of foodborne illnesses.

Become more cultured

Learn from 蜜桃影像 experts how to grow yeast and bacteria for food and science.

Fermentation

In the kitchen

Learn about , and explore the roles that microbes play in the production, preservation, and enhancement of foods and drinks.

incubation

In the lab

Learn more about the structure of microbes, , how they reproduce, and what byproducts they create.