Bugs R Us (360G-Wellcome-087150_Z_08_Z)

£29,375

The "Bugs R Us" project has been devised to bring the excitement of new developments in microbiology to as wide an audience as possible through a travelling exhibition with a 5-year shelf-life. Human beings are a symbiotic association of mammalian and microbial cells with the latter (the indigenous microbiota) outnumbering the former by a factor of ten. The indigenous microbiota is hugely diverse and consists of more than 2,000 different species which are organised into a variety of communities whose composition varies with the anatomical site. Although some species are able to cause disease, our microbial symbionts collectively exert a number of beneficial effects. Hence they protect us against pathogens, provide up to 10% of our energy requirements, supply a range of vitamins and play a key role in the development of our immune system and mucosal surfaces. Few people are aware of the importance of our indigenous microbiota and, because the populist view is "all microbes are dangerous and must be eliminated", it is important that this unwarranted view of microbes is corrected. By using modern exhibition techniques, talks and seminars we intend to: (i) introduce to the general public the concept that a human being is a symbiosis of mammalian and microbial cells (ii) provide new insights into the nature of the microbial communities that reside on our bodies, (iii) explain how the anatomical site governs the composition of the microbial community residing there (iv) describe what benefits these microbial communities confer on humans.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 29375
Applicant Surname Wilson
Approval Committee Small Arts Awards Funding Committee
Award Date 2008-10-01T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2008/09
Grant Programme: Title People Award
Internal ID 087150/Z/08/Z
Lead Applicant Prof Michael Wilson
Partnership Value 29375
Planned Dates: End Date 2011-11-14T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2008-11-15T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region Greater London