Imagine you are standing in a huge dark warehouse full of objects, but with a simple flashlight you can only see a tiny section at a time. This is how bacteria are detected using traditional cultivation methods. Most of it remains in the dark.

But new methods such as Gesonden, PCR, and sequencing are like suddenly turning on the lights in the warehouse. Areas that were previously invisible suddenly become visible, and our image of bacteria changes fundamentally. We realize how diverse and vibrant the microbial world really is.

This episode focuses on the change in perspective and shows how much the choice of detection method influences our understanding of microbes. It highlights the fascination of what has long remained hidden from us and how modern technology is helping us to discover the invisible world around us.

Bacteria are with you every step of the way and are key to health, well being, and a more sustainable everyday life.

In this episode you enter a world where bacteria are much more than germs. They are valuable partners for your body, your mind, and the environment. Discover how a diverse microbiome can strengthen your immune system, support digestion and metabolism, and even influence your mood. Bacteria are also essential for nature and nutrition.

Gain practical insights and surprising facts that can help you make daily life more conscious and healthier. Bacteria appear as what they truly are, lifelong companions with remarkable potential.

Viruses are present everywhere and shape life in ways that remained unnoticed for a long time. This episode explores the silent influence of viruses, not as enemies but as driving forces for biological diversity and innovation.

It highlights how viruses have shaped our evolution, left their marks in our genetic code, and continue to act as powerful agents of genetic change. The episode offers fascinating insights into the virosphere, the role of endogenous retroviruses, and the close connections between humans, the microbiome, and viral elements.

Anyone seeking to understand human development cannot ignore viruses. These invisible companions reveal a story that changes our understanding of ourselves.

Did you know that your body harbors more bacteria than cells? In this episode, we take a fresh look at what really makes us who we are and why our well-being is much more closely linked to microbes than you might think. Discover how our daily lives, our health, and even our personalities are intertwined with the microbiome. And find out why it's worth taking care of your “inner team.”