Meet the microscopic life in your home -- and on your face | Anne Madden

Summary

In this engaging presentation, a scientist explores the unseen microbial world that resides on our skin and in our homes. Highlighting the importance of these microorganisms, the speaker challenges the adversarial relationship humans have had with them over the last century. By uncovering new species and their potential, the talk reveals how these tiny organisms could offer innovative solutions to significant human problems, such as producing novel antibiotics, creating unique beers, and even providing vaccines against PTSD. Ultimately, the presentation invites us to reconsider our perception of the microscopic life around us as a valuable resource for the future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Our skin hosts a vast community of microscopic life, including bacteria, fungi, and mites.
• 😀 The human relationship with microorganisms has been adversarial for the last century, focusing on eradication rather than coexistence.
• 😀 The next century will focus on harnessing microbial solutions to human problems instead of just eliminating them.
• 😀 Scientists are discovering a vast array of microorganisms in everyday environments, including homes, backyards, and bodies.
• 😀 Over 600 species of bugs and 100,000 species of bacteria and fungi have been identified in U.S. homes.
• 😀 Many microorganisms in our environment remain unnamed and largely unknown to science.
• 😀 Microscopic creatures are capable of transforming their environment and can offer solutions to various human challenges.
• 😀 Specific microorganisms can produce valuable substances, such as beer and antibiotics, showcasing their potential.
• 😀 For example, a microorganism found in wasps can produce a superior sour beer, while soil bacteria are critical for antibiotic production.
• 😀 Future discoveries may lead to groundbreaking uses for microorganisms, potentially enhancing human life in unexpected ways.

Q & A

What is the main idea of the speaker's talk?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and leveraging the microscopic life surrounding us, which has been historically viewed as adversarial but holds potential solutions for human problems.

What types of microorganisms does the speaker mention living on our skin?

The speaker mentions various types of microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria, and mites, that inhabit our skin and the environment around us.

How has the relationship between humans and microorganisms evolved over the past century?

Historically, humans have focused on eradicating microorganisms in their environments, but the speaker suggests that the future should focus on discovering and utilizing the beneficial aspects of these organisms.

What does the speaker mean by 'microscopic alchemists'?

The term 'microscopic alchemists' refers to microorganisms that can transform their environment using chemical tools, enabling them to convert various substances into valuable products.

Can you give an example of a beneficial microorganism mentioned in the talk?

The speaker discusses a microorganism found in a wasp that can produce a unique sour beer, demonstrating its potential as a valuable resource rather than just a pest.

What did the speaker discover about soil bacteria?

The speaker explains that many of the antibiotics used today are derived from soil bacteria, highlighting their importance in medicine and public health.

What surprising finding did researchers make about a pond scum microorganism?

Researchers found that a microorganism from pond scum could potentially vaccinate mice against PTSD, suggesting unexpected therapeutic benefits from such organisms.

How many species of bugs and microorganisms have researchers discovered in homes?

Researchers have identified over 600 species of bugs and more than 100,000 species of bacteria and fungi living in homes across the USA.

What is the speaker's true mission regarding microorganisms?

The speaker's mission is to explore and catalog microorganisms to discover new technologies and solutions that can help address human challenges.

What implications does the speaker suggest for the future regarding microorganisms?

The speaker suggests that as we learn more about these microorganisms, they could lead to solutions for various issues, from improving health to addressing environmental problems.