Variety is the spice of life and this is certainly true when it comes to microbiomes – the communities of bacteria, fungi and viruses that are found just about everywhere. That’s why the theme for this year’s World Microbiome Day is diversity. Join in the celebration of diversity of microbes, microbiome habitats, diets that feed and fuel microbiomes, as well as the diversity of people working in microbiome science.
While the celebrations will happen virtually this year, there’s still plenty of ways to be involved. For starters, APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre is hosting a free online public forum and family quiz.
Public Forum: Discover the Diverse World of Microbes – Tuesday June 23 at 1-2 pm
Have you experienced more than one failed sourdough or kombucha attempt since lockdown? Not to worry as APC researcher, Liam Walsh, is ready to share his ‘Beginners’ Guide to Fermentation’ during our public forum. This is just one topic on offer and there’ll be something for everyone. In six five-minute talks, you’ll be taken on a whistle stop tour of microbes, microbiomes and their importance for human, animal and environmental health.
Here’s the full line-up:
- Microbes – feeding the planet – Dr David Clarke
- You are what you eat: diet, microbiota and health – Dr Kirsten Berding Harold
- Beginners guide to fermentation – Liam Walsh
- Managing methane emissions with microbes– Philiswa Mbandwla
- Mining microbial metabolites for mental health – Simon Spichak
- No guts no glory – the roles of gut microbes in fitness – Laura Wosniska
Everyone is welcome so please join the free public forum on Tuesday, June 23 at 1pm using the Zoom link: https://247meeting.zoom.us/j/96279165935
Family Quiz: Wednesday, June 24 at 7.30-8.30pm
We’re all embracing family-quiz night more than ever since lockdown but coming up with new quiz questions can be a challenge. Join APC for its first World Microbiome Day quiz on Wednesday June 24 at 7.30 pm. Using the Kahoot!quiz app, quizzers will need both speed and accuracy to score well. There’re some great prizes in store, thanks to quiz sponsor, BaseClear. The quiz-champion will win a €100 Amazon gift card, with a further €75 and €50 gift card going to the second and third-place winners.
It promises to be fun-filled, fast-paced and fact-packed quiz! It’s free to take part, but please register for full instructions via Eventbrite https://wmdquiz.eventbrite.ie/ to get yourself quiz-ready.
You can explore the many events, activities and competitions happening globally on the World Microbiome Day website https://worldmicrobiomeday.com/.
