So far, citizen scientists have provided HIPS with over 700 soil samples from Saarland and other areas of Germany. From these samples, just as many new myxobacteria and several new natural products have already been identified. Some of these show promising properties and are therefore already being studied in more detail. To let the citizen scientists know what happens next with their soil samples, they receive feedback on which myxobacteria could be isolated and how they can advance research at HIPS.
The high potential of this project has now also been recognised by the MS Wissenschaft team: from May 2022, the HIPS citizen science campaign will go on a long cruise across Germany with the science ship. The MS Wissenschaft will dock at several locations - including Saarbrücken. During the entire cruise, there will be an exhibit on board that will give visitors an understanding of the important role of myxobacteria in drug research as well as information on the topic of antimicrobial resistance. In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to get their own sample collection kit on board the MS Wissenschaft and become active as citizen scientists themselves. Preparations are already in full swing so that the MS Wissenschaft can set sail on time together with the myxobacteria.
About the Science Year 2022
