7 Wonders of the Microbe World

From Black Death to Cholera, microbes have been responsible for some of the world's most devastating diseases. Yet they have also provided us with genetic engineering, the vision of life on Mars, life-saving antibiotics and food preservation - plus the wonderful taste of beer! Using expert commentary, animation and stylised visuals, this short films introduce microbiology, examining the impact microbes have had on humans from Egyptian times to the present day.

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Microbes are responsible for diseases from black death to cholera, but these tiny single celled organisms also help us survive and make our favourite foods taste great. From biofuels to blue cheese, you just need the right microbes!

When harmful bacteria get into the body, we can fight fire with fire – antibiotics. In the tough world of microbes, microbes are used to fighting off competitors. All we need to do is get them fighting for us. Like a videogame fighter, microbes have special moves: one of them is producing antibiotics. But if we use antibiotics too often, the bad bacteria start work on some special moves of their own… Superbugs!

As the oldest form of life on earth, microbes generate around half the oxygen we breathe. We need them to survive! And soon they might be able to create sustainable energy through biofuels. Microbes can break down waste from food production, such as stalks and husks, to create the clean fuel ethanol.

Microbes are also making their way out of the lab and into our wardrobes. Infusing clothes with bacteria or viruses can make them self cleaning or even naturally glow in the dark. Would you wear a t-shirt made of 99% cotton and 1% E.Coli?

The ultimate question – is there life elsewhere in the universe – might be answered by microbes. These clever organisms can adapt to environments where no other form of life can survive. If Microbes can live in volcanoes and ice caps, they might have thrived on Mars.