Biopolis - into the microbiome

A young scientist ventures into the human microbiome in search of answers. Biopolis is an original audio series that is part non-fiction and part science fiction.Dutch podcastmaker Michiel van Poelgeest follows Dr. Theda Bartolomaeus, a young German biologist living in Berlin, on her journey to understand the microbiome, to map the universe that exists within us.With her research she is hoping to make sense of it all: is the microbiome broken? Is something wrong with its diversity? Who are these microbes anyway? Michiel knows nothing about biology. Theda, as it turns out, has a story to tell…Biopolis - into the microbiome is created by Michiel van Poelgeest for the Max Delbrück Center. Script consulting by Jeff Emtman, additional narration by Colette Kinsella.

Michiel travels to Berlin to meet Dr. Theda Bartolomaeus, who tells him about the microbiome.'We are putting too much pressure on the microbial communities that live within us", she explains. But what is the microbiome? Why is it important that we understand it?As we get to know Theda a bit, we learn about these microbes that - apparently - are everywhere. And: we meet 'Minerva Thalyss' and her journey into the human body, as we listen to the first chapter of the fiction story that is part of this podcast-series.Biopolis - into the microbiome is created by Michiel van Poelgeest for the Max Delbrück Center. Script consulting by Jeff Emtman, additional narration by Colette Kinsella.

Minerva Thalyss uses her micronaut to travel into the microbiome of her sister Fleming. Meanwhile, in the real world, Theda teaches Michiel a valuable lesson in biology. Where to start? The tree of life. We learn that every living thing shares the same ancestor. You think you're 'all human'? Guess again.Biopolis - into the microbiome is created by Michiel van Poelgeest for the Max Delbrück Center. Script consulting by Jeff Emtman, additional narration by Colette Kinsella.

Michiel travels back to his hometown Leiden (NL), to meet a Canadian professor in biochemistry. What are antibiotics, really? And exactly how big is the problem of antimicrobial resistance? Spoiler alert: it's pretty big. Meanwhile Minerva learns about an ancient relationship and: has a surprising encounter! Biopolis - into the microbiome is created by Michiel van Poelgeest for the Max Delbrück Center. Script consulting by Jeff Emtman, additional narration by Colette Kinsella.

Minerva visits the ileum, where her true mission is revealed. "Good science isn’t really about proving yourself right. It’s about trying to prove your ideas wrong..." Right... Meanwhile, in the real world, Michiel explains why it will take another week before he takes us back to Berlin...Biopolis - into the microbiome is created by Michiel van Poelgeest for the Max Delbrück Center. Script consulting by Jeff Emtman, additional narration by Colette Kinsella.

At long last, Michiel gets to the bottom of what the microbiome means, as Professor Sofia Kirke Forslund-Startceva reveals an uncomfortable truth. Meanwhile, Minerva travels to the lung mountains... Will she find the source of what is causing her sister's illness?Biopolis - into the microbiome is created by Michiel van Poelgeest for the Max Delbrück Center. Script consulting by Jeff Emtman, additional narration by Colette Kinsella.

It all ends here....Or perhaps that's a tad dramatic. New beginnings is perhaps more appropriate. Anyway: in this final episode we find out how Minerva's story ends and how a new chapter begins for Theda.Biopolis - into the microbiome is created by Michiel van Poelgeest for the Max Delbrück Center. Script consulting by Jeff Emtman, additional narration by Colette Kinsella.