The International Microorganism Day is celebrated to raise society’s awareness of the importance of these organisms in the environment and in our health. On 17th September GHTM researchers joined other Portuguese scientists working in the field of Microbiology to celebrate the International Microorganism Day.
Hosted by Pavilhão do Conhecimento – Centro Ciência Viva, in Lisbon, the GHTM-IHMT-NOVA participated in the initiative entitled “Resistência aos antibióticos: um macro desafio”/ “Antibiotic resistance: a macro challenge”.
Given the major public health problems that drug resistant bacteria and parasites bring to the global public health, the GHTM researchers of IHMT Medical Parasitology Unit and Medical Microbiology Unit shared with the general public their knowledge and the work that is being developed to fight this global health challenge.
At GHTM-IHTM exhibition stations, the participants had the opportunity to see malaria parasites and tuberculosis bacteria under the microscope, to visualize tridimensional models of proteins and also to learn more about bacterial pathogens and the use of antibiotics by playing a fun card game and an interactive quiz.
According to Ana Paula Arez, Gustavo Cassiano and Pedro Cravo, the “resistance against antimalarial drugs it is a huge hurdle to control malaria worldwide”, therefore they participated in the International Microorganism Day “to alert the public to this problem”. “In fact, we were impressed with the general knowledge about malaria, from both old and young people, which only reinforces the great impact and importance of these actions!”, said VBD-GHTM researchers.
For the THOP-GHTM researchers, “the participation in the International Microorganism Day is always exciting”. Liliana Rodrigues and Sofia Santos Costa mentioned that “It is an important opportunity to bring awareness on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to a widely diverse population, from small children to teenagers and adults. We hope to aid in mitigating AMR by transmitting the idea that the preservation of our antimicrobial arsenal is also a community effort. By adopting responsible behaviors and attitudes to preserve the efficacy of antimicrobials, we all help to save lives”. Diana Machado highlighted that “these initiatives are also an opportunity to bring people closer to science, by sharing the work and what scientists do in the laboratory, explaining as well the impact that these discoveries have on the health of the whole community”, she explained.
Read more about International Microorganism Day on the website.