The Global Microbiome Conservancy: The race to preserve the species in our feces

Every gram of your stool contains more bacteria than there are people on Earth, and these microbes are vital to your health. However, the kinds of microbes inside you depends largely on where and how you live. The Global Microbiome Conservancy (microbiomeconservancy.com) is on a mission to preserve the full diversity of human gut, including rare and disappearing strains found only in traditional societies. These microbes represent a living legacy of shared evolutionary history and cultural heritage. To document and share this important effort, I’ve initiated a photojournalism and social media campaign called Conserving Cultures to illustrate the process and people involved in this groundbreaking research. In this talk I’ll share how communities around the world are working with scientists to understand and protect this important biodiversity, and safeguard against future bacterial extinctions caused by rapidly changing lifestyles.

About the speaker

Christopher Corzett, Ph.D., loves puns and hates seeing people wear scrubs in public. Over the years he has studied how bacteria eat seaweed to develop alternative sources of renewable energy, how microbes adapt to environmental change, and how pathogens cause disease. Currently a Senior Research Associate at USC, he’s working with a team of scientists and entrepreneurs to develop microbiome-based prognostics. Long fascinated by the intersection of art and science, he also uses photography to extend the reach and resonance of research. You can find hime on Instagram @corzett or Twitter @ccorzett.