Living with Microbes: How NCCR Microbiomes is Bringing the Invisible to Light
From museum halls to science festivals, the NCCR Microbiomes is making microbial life both visible and engaging for the public. Through a blend of interactive exhibitions, public lectures, and creative media, the center’s outreach efforts invite Swiss communities to explore how microbes shape our lives.
A standout initiative is the conference cycle "Bien vivre avec les microbes" at the Musée de la Main in Lausanne, held alongside the long-running exhibition Invisibles: La vie cachée des microbes. Launched on World Microbiome Day 2024, this immersive experience brings science to life through artifacts, images, and storytelling—open to visitors until 2026.
Meanwhile, events like Mystères de l’UNIL, Scientifica, and World Microbiome Day at the Alimentarium draw hundreds of curious minds each year with hands-on booths and researcher-led presentations. At the international ISME18 conference, the NCCR hosted Discover the Microverse—a unique outreach blend of games, competitions, and Q&As with scientists.
These activities reflect a bold public mission: to connect scientific research with everyday experience and curiosity.
From Cards to Classrooms: NCCR Microbiomes Gets Creative with Communication
Outreach at NCCR Microbiomes goes beyond lectures—it’s hands-on, artistic, and sometimes even gamified. One of the most inventive projects is Bactaille, a microbiology-themed card game designed by PhD student Tania Miguel Trabajo, now part of her doctoral thesis. In parallel, the Microbiomes video game, launched with classroom modules, offers an interactive way for students to explore microbial ecosystems.
Public engagement has extended to science film festivals, school talks, and popular events like Pint of Science. In education, NCCR researchers regularly contribute to newsletters like Échos du Vivant, reaching over 300 Swiss teachers, and participate in science communication competitions including Ma Thèse en 180 secondes and FameLab
Art-science collaborations are also central—such as the Figure 1.A. exhibition in Martigny and co-creative workshops with artists like Sanja Saftic. Meanwhile, science communication courses, like the lay communication workshop in Neuchâtel, equip young researchers with tools to connect with broader audiences.
Whether through video games, card decks, or museum walls, the NCCR’s outreach celebrates a simple truth: microbes are everywhere—and learning about them can be as creative as it is essential.
Further information on NCCR Microbiomes Scientific Outreach: https://nccrmicrobiomes.ch/outreach/scientific-outreach/