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Resource Hub
Books
Symbiotic planet by Lynn Margilus
I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong
The mushroom at the end of the world by Anna Tsing
The call of the honey bird by Rob Dunn
Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The zero waste blueprint by Douglas McMaster
Eating and Being: A History of Ideas about Our Food and Ourselves by Steven Shapin
Biomimicry by Janine Benyus
Delicious by Rob Dunn
The third plate by Dan Barber
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Entangled life by Merlin Sheldrake
Education
Podcasts & Videos
Are you an educator?
This webpage was designed for young curious minds to engage and learn about the world of microbes through creative, inspiring material that is completely based on science. We encourage you to use this as a tool to support your curriculum for science courses (i.e. biology, biotechnology, molecular biology, ecology, etc.).
Example of how to use it in your lessons:
Presentation in groups
Divide the class into groups and assign each group a topic from the story and ask them to explain/create a presentation for the rest of the students. Topics could include: biotechnology, microbes, fermentation (natural, gas, and/or precision fermentation), fungi, yeast, microbial food, E. coli, bacterial cell structure, bacterial exponential growth, microbiome, bioremediation, etc.
Stop-motion Movie
Make a stop-motion movie on one of the subjects of the stories.
Sing along!
Write a song about yeast, E. coli, fungi, microbial foods, etc. using a known melody.
Rewrite
Rewrite, for example, the yeast story into a popular science article, choosing your own target group etc.
Hands on!
Design hands-on exercises that illustrate key learnings from the stories, for example, genetic modification, different types of fermentation, sustainable agriculture, bioremediation, biotechnology principles, use of microbes as cell factories, natural vs. engineered genetic evolution, etc. Reach out to the LIFE Foundation to explore options for experiments, including their regional or mobile laboratories.
Want to learn more?
Check out our list of layman resources above (podcasts, books, scientific articles, etc.) that focus on microbes and how they can help solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.
Do you think it would be useful to expand the webpage with a relevant topic related to microbes or biotech? Have any feedback? Please contact Vanesa Sánchez Guajardo.
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Amino acid
Building blocks of proteins (large polymers) and peptides (short polymers) At one end, amino acids contain an organic acid moiety, which is negatively (acidic) charged (COO-) and at the other end, they have a positively charged (basic) moiety (NH2). The formula is COO--CX-NH+. X represents different atoms depending on the amino acid, for example, hydrogen gives rise to glycine. This side chain gives amino acids specific properties. Amino acids are linked together by so-called peptide bonds, that is, when the negatively and positively charged ends of two different amino acids are linked. There are 20 amino acids or, in reality, 19 amino acids and 1 amino acid (proline).
Building blocks of proteins (large polymers) and peptides (short polymers) At one end, amino acids contain an organic acid moiety, which is negatively (acidic) charged (COO-) and at the other end, they have a positively charged (basic) moiety (NH2). The formula is COO--CX-NH+. X represents different atoms depending on the amino acid, for example, hydrogen gives rise to glycine. This side chain gives amino acids specific properties.
Amino acids are linked together by so-called peptide bonds, that is, when the negatively and positively charged ends of two different amino acids are linked. There are 20 amino acids or, in reality, 19 amino acids and 1 amino acid (proline).
Antibiotic
A chemical or natural product that can destroy harmful bacteria in the body or limit their growth. They are often used as medicines.
Artificial selection
The process where humans induce genetic changes in animals, plants or microbes to produce offspring with specific characteristics. Think of the domestication of wolves into dogs.
Bacterium
A type of very small organism made of only one cell that lives in all possible environments including air, soil, water, plants, animals and humans (plural – bacteria). Sometimes they cause disease, but most times they are beneficial for their ecosystem. They do not have a nucleus or organelles like eukaryotes do, but they have a cell wall and cell membrane for protection.
Biodiversity
The number and types of microbes, algae, insects, plants and animals that exist in a particular area or in the world generally.
Biomass
The amount of living matter (as in a unit area or volume of habitat) including, for example, microorganisms, plant materials and animal waste that can be used as a source of raw material to make new products (antibiotics, food, chemicals, bioplastics, etc.).
Biotechnology
The use of living organisms such as cells from fungi and bacteria, in industrial processes. Enzymes, which are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions in living organisms, can also be used in the industry to convert waste like CO2 or plastics into chemical compounds that can be assimilated by organisms to produce biomass and useful products.
The use of living organisms such as cells from fungi and bacteria, in industrial processes. Enzymes, which are proteins that catalyse chemical reactions in living organisms, can also be used in the industry to convert waste like CO2 or plastics into chemical compounds that can be assimilated by organisms to produce biomass and useful products.
Capsule
The outer layer of some bacteria (gram-positive). Made of tightly packed polysaccharides (large chains of sugars) that do not let anything pass through, preventing the bacteria from drying out and toxins coming in. It is the capsule that can cause disease.
Carbohydrate
A substance, such as sugar or starch, that provides the body with energy, or foods containing these substances such as bread, potatoes, pasta, and rice.
Cell
The smallest basic unit of life of a microbe, plant or animal.
Cell factory
A microbe including bacteria (prokaryote) or fungi (eukaryote) that is used for production of a useful product at large scales, for example, medicines.
Cell wall
The structure between the plasma membrane and the capsule in a gram-negative bacterium like Escherichia coli. It is made primarily of polysaccharides (large sugar changes) that are bound together by unusual peptides (composed of D-amino acids). These structures are called peptidoglycans. For example, the antibiotic penicillin destroys this wall, killing the bacteria.
The structure between the plasma membrane and the capsule in a gram-negative bacterium like Escherichia coli. It is made primarily of polysaccharides (large sugar changes) that are bound together by unusual peptides (composed of D-amino acids). These structures are called peptidoglycans. For example, the antibiotic penicillin destroys this wall, killing the bacteria.
Channel
Proteins which form hollow tubes and allow the passive movement of ions, water, and other molecules through and down their electrochemical gradient (on a cellular membrane).
Chromosome
A rod-like structure found in all fungi, plant and animal cells, containing the instructions (genes) that control what an animal, fungus or plant is like.
Colony
A group of microbes, animals or plants of the same type that live together.
Compound
A chemical that can be of organic origin, for example, a given amino acid.
Cytoplasm
All the material within a cell enclosed by the plasma membrane or cell membrane, excluding the nucleus (eukaryotes).
Cytosol
Main component of the cytoplasm, it is a gel-like structure where the cell’s structures, organelles and proteins are found. It is made of 80% water.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid: the molecule that harbors a genetic program (or information) of living (cells) and non-living (viruses) systems. It determines the blueprint of each cell and this information is replicated (copied) and transmitted to daughter cells during reproduction (or cell division).
Daughter cell
The offspring of a cell after cell division.
Decomposition
The action of breaking, or breaking down something, into smaller parts.
Digestion
The ability of the body to breakdown proteins, fats and carbohydrates into smaller parts so that they can be used as nutrients.
Down-cyclable
A material that is recyclable only a determined number of times into a product of lower quality. Paper and some plastics are down-cyclable.
Ecosystem
All living organisms and microorganisms in a specific area.
Entrepreneur
Skill in starting new businesses, especially when this involves seeing new opportunities.
Enzyme
A protein produced by cells that accelerates chemical reactions while not changing themselves.
Eukaryote
A type of organism that has one or more cells each with a separate nucleus (central part) containing chromosomes, which includes all insects, plants, animals and humans. They also contain organelles, which are specialized structures with specific functions enclosed by a membrane.
Evolution
The process by which the physical characteristics of living organisms change over time, new types of organisms develop, and others disappear.
Extremophiles
Bacteria that can live in harsh conditions, such as extreme heat or cold, acidic or basic pH, drought, salinity, etc.
Family
A large group of related types of microbes, animals or plants within an order and a genus. For example, foxes, dogs, wolves and coyotes are in the same family and are part of the order carnivores, but they are not all in the same genus.
Fermentation
The chemical transformation of matter over time. Normally associated with the bacterial and yeast process whereby they transform sugar into carbon-dioxide, alcohol and flavor molecules in foods and drinks.
Flagellum
A hair-like structure in fungi spores, some type of bacteria and sperm that allow them to move (plural – flagella). Bacteria's flagella are made of helical protein filaments that work like a rotor motor that can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. It is made of many units of the protein flagellin and traverses from the cytoplasm to outside the capsule.
Fungus
A eukaryotic organism with chromosomes that get their food from decaying material or other living systems. With the notable exception of yeasts, most fungi are multicellular. They are characterized by producing fruitbodies to spread their spores, such as truffles and champignons.
Gas fermentation
The bacteria or fungal process by which gases are transformed into another product. For example, CO2 into methanol, a useful chemical that can be used as a biofuel.
The bacteria or fungal process by which gases are transformed into another product. For example, CO2 into methanol, a useful chemical that can be used as a biofuel.
Gene
A molecule made of a DNA sequence containing instructions that control the physical development, particular physical characteristics, behavior, etc. of an individual microbe, plant or animal. All living organisms get their genes from their parents and pass them on to their offspring.
Gene editing
The process of changing the message encoded in a gene by scientific methods, to obtain a predetermined desired outcome.
Genetic expression
The process by which the information encoded in a gene is turned into a function. This mostly occurs via the transcription of DNA into mRNA molecules that code for proteins.
Genetic modification
The process of changing the message encoded in a gene. It can be done on purpose through scientific methods (see gene editing) or occur spontaneously. Its outcome is not always known.
Genetic sequence
A specific sequence of DNA that encodes the recipe to produce a genetic trait or a protein.
Genus
A group of microbes, animals or plants that share some characteristics. They are more closely related than a family, but less similar than a species. For example, a coyote and a wolf are of the same family as the fox, but they are not the same genus.
Habitat
The natural environment in which a microorganism, animal or plant usually lives.
Hypha
Any of the thread-like parts that form the body of a fungus, which collectively is called a mycelium and helps it communicate with other organisms (plural – hyphal).
Immune system
The cells in the body that make it able to protect itself against infections.
Life cycle
The series of changes that a living thing goes through from the beginning of its life until death.
Macronutrient
A substance that microbes, animals and plants need in large amounts to live and grow (for example, carbohydrates and proteins).
Microbe
A unicellular organism that can only be seen with a microscope.
Micronutrient
A substance that microbes, animals and plants need in small amounts to live and grow (for example, vitamins and minerals).
Molecule
The simplest unit of a chemical substance, usually a group of two or more atoms.
Monoculture
The practice of growing only one crop or keeping only one type of animal on an area of farmland. It can also refer to how microbes are cultured, alone or with other microbes.
Multicellular
An organism made of more than one cell like plants, animals and humans.
Mutation
The change that happens in an organism’s genes that produces differences which are passed to new organisms. Mutations can also affect the function of proteins and enzymes. For example, some people cannot degrade the disaccharide lactose because of mutations in the protein-encoding gene lactase.
Mycelium
A structure of very small threads (hyphal) that spread out from a fungus.
Natural fermentation
The process by which a bacterium or fungi transforms sugar into CO2 and alcohol to obtain energy.
The process by which a bacterium or fungi transforms sugar into CO2 and alcohol to obtain energy.
Natural selection
The process that results in the continued existence of only the types of microbes, animals and plants that are best able to produce new descendants in the conditions in which they live.
Nucleus
The organelle inside a cell that contains the genetic material, and which specializes in replicating it.
Organism
A living microbe, plant, animal, or any other living system.
PET
Polyethylene terephthalate: a type of plastic that is down-cyclable and shows resistance to impact, moisture, alcohol, and solvents. It is one of the plastics most use in our everyday life.
PHB
Polyhydroxybutyrate: biodegradable bioplastic made of polyhydroxybutyrate by bacteria, usually using industrial or agricultural waste.
PLA
Polylactic acid: one of the most popular materials used in desktop 3D printing that can be printed at a low temperature and does not require a heated bed. It is a new type of plastic and under optimal conditions, not the standard in place now, it can be degraded up to 70% of its mass.
Peptide
Short chains of amino acids. Their length can be as little as two amino acids (dipeptide) and up to 50 amino acids (polypeptide). Longer peptides are called proteins. Peptides are the product of enzymatic digestion of proteins, but there are also peptides that can be used as antimicrobials, anticancer and vaccines.
Petrochemical
Any material or product made from crude oil after chemical processing, such as plastics, paints, cosmetics, pesticides, tires, Teflon, nylon, polyester, medicines, etc.
PhD
Doctor of philosophy: the highest college or university degree that qualifies someone as a specialist in a given area of knowledge.
Pilum
A hair-like surface molecule found on the capsule of bacteria (plural – pili). They often surround the cell and can have different functional roles to help cells respond to their external environment. They are essential for motility, to attach bacteria to surfaces, and to transfer DNA among bacteria.
Plasma membrane
Cytoplasmic membrane: a thin structure that contains the cytoplasm and organelles of a cell. Its function is to protect them from the outside environment. It is made of a lipid bilayer of cholesterol, phospholipids and other lipids. It has proteins (like channels and receptors) embedded to facilitate the cell’s function.
Postdoc
Postdoctoral: a professional that continues working after completing a PhD degree to gain experience as an independent researcher.
Precision fermentation
The process by which microbes such as bacteria, fungi, microalgae, or yeast cells are used to produce substances such as components for milk, meat, vitamins, cancer and malaria medicine, as well as flavoring and aroma substances for foods and drinks.
Prokaryote
A type of organism that has only one cell and does not have a nucleus or organelles, for example a bacterium.
Proteasome
The protein complex responsible for the degradation of proteins. The proteins in charge of doing this are called proteases. E, coli proteasomes are made of two rings, each consisting of 6 identical proteins.
The protein complex responsible for the degradation of proteins. The proteins in charge of doing this are called proteases. E, coli proteasomes are made of two rings, each consisting of 6 identical proteins.
Protein
The building blocks of cells composed of amino acids folded into a particular shape and that has a determined function. They are a necessary part of the cells of all living systems, both as building blocks and for function. Proteins can be composed of several dozen or by several thousand amino acids.
RNA
Ribonucleic acid: an important molecule present in all living cells. It contains the instructions coded in the DNA as a recipe so proteins can be made. There are three different types: mRNA that contains the instructions or code to make the proteins, tRNA that bring the amino acids to the ribosome to build the proteins, and rRNA, ribosomal RNA that are part of the ribosomes.
Receptor
On a membrane surface, this is specialized proteins that specifically recognize a particular molecule (nutrients, neurotransmitters, ions, hormones, etc.). They are embedded in cell membranes to signal from the outside in and are essential to the metabolism and activity of cells.
Recycle
To reuse the same material again for producing the same or similar things. It can be done an undetermined number of times, and its quality does not decrease. For example, metals and glass.
Replication
The process by which an organism makes exact copies of its DNA for its offspring.
Ribosomes
Large macromolecules composed of proteins and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) made of two units that bring the messenger (mRNA)and transfer (tRNA) RNA molecules together to build up proteins from their instructions (mRNA is transcribed from DNA) and amino acids (that are linked by tRNA molecules).
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
A genus of fungi, some of which are used in making alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine and others that are used in medicine, bread and other fermented processes.
Species
A set of animals or plants, whose members have similar characteristics and can breed with each other. For example, different types of dogs (poodle, Bernese mountain dog, labrador, etc.).
Spore
A reproductive cell produced by some plants (including ferns) and simple organisms such as algae and fungi. They act as seeds that are spread by the elements and animals, so that under the right conditions they can germinate and grow into a new plant or organism.
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Symbiosis
Close and long-term biological interaction between two organisms of different species. This relationship is beneficial for both organisms in most cases.
Tissue
A group of connected cells in an animal or plant that are similar to each other, have the same purpose, and form a functional part of the animal or plant.
Trait
A particular (genetic) characteristic that can produce a particular type of behavior or physical feature.
Transcription
The process of copying (transcribing) the coded message in a DNA molecule into a mRNA in a way that it can be used as a recipe to produce a specific protein.
Truffle
The fruitbody of a type of fungus that grows underground and can be eaten. It is created by the fungus to pack its spores and spread its genetic material.
Unicellular
Any organism made of only one cell.
Upcycle
To use old material, things or waste to make new things (furniture, objects, etc.).
Virus
A unicellular organism that causes disease in humans, animals, and plants. It contains genetic material, but it is not alive, as it cannot grow and replicate by itself.
Vitamin
Any of a group of natural substances that are necessary in small amounts for growth and good health and that are mainly obtained from food. There are 13 vitamins in total.
Yeast
A type of unicellular fungus that is most commonly used in making alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine, and for making bread swell and become light.