The lab talk

What do microbes eat? How long do they live? The lab technician is at home in a world that remains invisible to most people and he or she can take you there through his or her eyes.

September is all about microbes in motion

This month, you will discover how microbes perceive the world around them. Microbes also move; for example, they need to search for food and an environment where the living conditions are favorable. Humans orient themselves, for instance, through our nose, eyes, ears, and our vestibular system. Microbes often lack these. So, how do microbes know which direction to go?

The microbe of the month for September is Physarum polycephalum, also known as the slime mold. This mold doesn't have a brain but is quite ingenious. It relies on chemical signals and even has a unique form of memory. It "remembers" where it has been before and then avoids those paths. This way, the slime mold can navigate through a maze, for example. 

buy your ticket

When every day
Where in front of the lab
What time 1 pm, 4 pm