Why we study microbiology at Sheffield

Microbes are found everywhere on Earth from the hottest thermal springs to the coldest deserts of Antarctica and their lives are inextricably intertwined with our own, simultaneously both sustaining and potentially threatening our existence. While on one hand we rely on microbes to produce food, biofuels and medicines they have also shaped human populations throughout history through infections and disease. For many years since the advent of antibiotics this balance has been assured, but now it is imperilled by the emergence of antimicrobial resistance which could cause 10 million deaths a year by 2050.

This short film explores how our research at the School of Biosciences is using multi disciplinary approaches from advanced microscopy to genetic engineering  to understand microbial life and find solutions to the challenges of antimicrobial resistance, sustainability and food security.

Commissioned for BioFest 2023.