Eat, drink and dress – sustainably!

Drug-resistant bacterial infections are a big problem. The more we use antibiotics, the more of a problem this becomes. But antibiotics are not just used for people: more than half of the world’s antibiotics are given to farm animals, to prevent or treat infections, or even to increase productivity. Drug-resistant bacteria from farm animals then enter the wider environment, including fields and water courses, through spreading of slurry and manure.This talk combines microbiology, chemistry, physics and mathematical modelling to understand and tackle superbugs in manure and slurry.

The talk will delve into the potential of fungal biotechnology: both the barriers and opportunities we face when creating genuinely effective and sustainable products using fungi. I will discuss the rise of fungi in science and in popular culture, briefly the biotech business landscape from startups to corporations, and importantly some of the things that I find most fascinating about these organisms. I will try to approach these subjects from both the points of view of amateur enthusiast, and biologist inventor.

Born out of a love of science. Inspired by a life of travel. Atom began its journey in 2014; its mission: to create a community built on collaboration, education and a shared passion for beer and the brewing process. Co-founded by Allan Rice and Dr Sarah Thackray, Allan has a degree in Physiology and is as passionate about inspiring and teaching others about science as he is about making great-tasting beers. Sarah has a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Edinburgh as well as co-founder of Atom Sarah teaches Physics / Chemistry and applied science at a local 6th form in Hull.