Our Civilisation and Culture

Overview: Microbes were the first organisms on Earth, use all other organisms that subsequently evolved from them as habitats – they are the microbiomes that cover the surfaces of all beings – and thereby profoundly influence their physiology and activities. But microbes are also the Great Transformers – local and global agents of change, whether it be cycling of the primary biological elements, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and so on, producing and consuming greenhouse gases, recycling the wastes of other organisms, causing infections, or providing us with beer and wine, and bread (and pizza) and cheese – and hence have profoundly influenced our culture and civilization over time. Let’s explore and appreciate the manifold ways microbes have shaped our civilization and culture, and made us what we are!