The University of Otago's Science Expo, held in conjunction with the International Science Festival, took place last weekend and those from all walks of life - including Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull - came along to take a look at microbial life in the human gut.
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology booth, with the theme "You're more bacterial than human!" brought the human microbiome to life with microscope slides of common gut bacteria, information about the incredible diversity of commensals and pathogens, and a display of "gummy microbes" representing the approximate 1kg of microbes in every human body.
Those visiting the Lab in a Box on Saturday afternoon learned about the microbial communities of their own mouths, by sampling and analysing cheek swaps.
