A Microbial Future

Microbes have existed on Earth for almost 4 billion years; 3x as long as multicellular organisms and 1000x longer than humans. So what does the future hold? Will recent advances in genetic engineering enable us to create bacterial ‘drug-delivery’ machines or self-replicating microbial vaccines? What will the first human-created lifeform mean for our understanding of biology? Will humanity end with a ‘microbial bang’, or might microbes perhaps be the solution we need to spread our wings beyond this planet?

A lecture by Robin May recorded on 10 May 2023 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:

[tuomasronnberg]

Fun and engaging lecturer, much appreciated!

[barbararowley]

Love the idea of a preemptive vaccine library. And of harvesting protein from microbes. Especially as it would presumably use a lower volume of water per kg of protein.
However, the concept of self spreading vaccines, worries me the same way that gene drives do.

[Namaerica]

Enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and creative. All scientists could be as imaginative. 😁🤔

[TheLazyGeneTV]

Does anyone beileve in peer review in the pharmaceutical industry?

[leeborocz-johnson]

I like Quorn better than I ever liked chicken, when I still ate meat.