From African microbes to planetary health

Join us at the Toyota Woordfees for a new series of captivating science café talks, moderated by well-known science journalist and author, Engela Duvenage. 

Science Café Stellenbosch is an initiative of the Faculty of Science at Stellenbosch University. Entrance is free.

Topic

Africa, which its rich biodiversity and diverse populations, is home to unique microbiomes which may hold the key to groundbreaking discoveries in health and disease. In this talk, Engela Duvenage finds out what is a microbiome and why one research group is planning to sequence 10 million samples of African origin – from rivers and wastewater treatment works to young children from vulnerable communities and Antarctica. Ultimately, these microorganisms are what connects all of us.

Speakers

Prof. Thulani Makhalanyani, DSTI-NRF research chair in African Microbiome Innovation, Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University

Nosipho Hlalukana, PhD candidate, African Microbiome research group, Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University

Isabella Blummeris, PhD candidate, African Microbiome research group, Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University