Have you already thanked microorganisms today for providing you with the yoghurt you had for breakfast? Have you thanked them for helping you digest, for the symbioses which hold the ecosystem in balance, for being industrial champions and degradation masters? These few examples show how microbes play crucial roles in our daily lives and impact them in many different ways. In this #FEMSmicroBlog, the FEMS team presents when and why we celebrate microbes (and their products or processes) throughout the year on Awareness Days and anniversaries. #MicrobiologyIsEverywhere
Want the shortcut? Head to microbe days in
International Day of Women and Girls in Science – February 11
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science brings together stakeholders from high-level government officials, representatives of international organizations, foundations, private sector, civil society as well as women in science experts from around the world. Many scientists that identify as women also investigate how our microbial friends work and live and thrive.
- International Day of Women and Girls in Science
- Perspectives: Listening to Women and Girls in Science – where are we?
World Kombucha Day – February 21
World Kombucha Day serves as an international celebration of love and affinity for the ancient fermented brew by both brewers and kombucha lovers worldwide.
World Water Day – March 22
World Water Day focuses on the importance of freshwater and advocates for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Note, that often microbes are involved in cleaning our wastewater and providing us with freshwater. Also, as an essential building block of life, water is more than just essential to quench thirst or protect health. Water is vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social, and human development.
World Tuberculosis Day – March 24
On March 24 1882, Dr Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis. This annual event now aims to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis and to step up efforts to end the global tuberculosis epidemic.
- World Tuberculosis Day
- World Tuberculosis Day 2021 on the #FEMSmicroBlog
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Tuberculosis bacteria alter the structure of human DNA
World Health Day – April 7
The 7th of April marks the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. Its celebration now draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. And since our health is very closely connected to microbes, microbial communities in and on our bodies and in the environment, this day represents a great opportunity to celebrate those microbes that keep us healthy.
World Art Day – April 15
World Art Day promotes the development, diffusion and enjoyment of art. Art nurtures creativity, innovation and cultural diversity for everyone and plays an important role in sharing knowledge and encouraging curiosity and dialogue.
Increasingly, artists and scientists explore new ways to collaborate, including by using microorganisms as subjects!
- World Art Day
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Fermenting Futures and the artistic view on yeast biotechnology
- And The Winners of #MicrobeArt2021 Are…
Earth Day – April 22
This day’s mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. While Planet Earth provides room for us to live and grow, we should not forget that we share this beautiful planet with other organisms, like animals and microorganisms.
World Malaria Day – April 25
World Malaria Day recognizes the achievements of countries that are nearing malaria elimination, as well as those that have crossed the finish line. They are inspiring others to do the same and to create a world in which no one dies of malaria.
- World Malaria Day
- World Malaria Day 2021: Maintaining antimalarial efficacy in a changing world
- #FEMSmicroBlog: About Malaria, crystals and alpacas
World DNA Day – April 25
This celebration of scientific achievement honours the history of genetics and the future of this field of science. Much of the scientific insight into how DNA works would have not been possible without the help of microbes in the lab. So, this day represents a great opportunity for budding scientists to pay attention to the field and get excited about the careers, possibilities and changes it could bring.
Stop Food Waste Day – April 28
Stop Food Waste Day ignites change regarding the global food waste issue. It draws attention to the problem, while also educating and engaging with society at all levels and sharing practical, creative and impactful ways to minimise food waste. One way to minimise food waste? Have microbes ferment your food to preserve it!
- Stop Food Waste Day
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Microbial cultures and their fermentation activities to preserve food
World Cider Day – June 3
World Cider Day brings apple cider lovers from all over the world together. Enjoy and celebrate the wide variety of cider as well as the microbes that ferment this apple juice for you!
World Environment Day – June 5
The United Nations designated 5 June as World Environment Day to highlight that the protection and health of the environment affect the well-being of peoples and economic development throughout the world. And the health of our environment depends on its microbial activity and composition. This is why, the celebration of this day aims to teach individuals, enterprises and communities how to preserve and enhance the environment.
- World Environment Day
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Humic acids help microbes degrade toxins and clean the environment
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Microbes degrade plastics even in the cold
World Oceans Day – June 8
World Ocean’s Day celebrates our shared ocean and our personal connection to the sea. It raises awareness about the crucial role the ocean and its big and small inhabitants play in our lives and the important ways people can help protect it.
World Microbiome Day – June 27
World Microbiome Day celebrates how important microbes are in preserving the long-term health and sustainability of our planet. And with their superpowers, we might be able to find innovative ways to solve some of the greatest challenges of our time.
- World Microbiome Day
- Celebrating how your gut microbiome keeps you mentally healthy
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Our first microbes
World Chocolate Day – July 7
World Chocolate Day marks the supposed anniversary of the day that this iconic dessert made its first entrance into Europe in 1550. It’s a celebration of the cocoa bean and its microbial fermentation giving the bean its delicious taste.
National Moth Week – July 23rd – 30th
Microbiology research relies heavily on these little animals. Due to limited ethical restrains, easy handling and maintenance costs, scientists can use different kinds of moths to study the pathogenicity of microbes. And all of this just by looking at how the moths change their colours!
- National Moth Week
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Galleria mellonella – science’s next top model
- Using silkworms to study pathogenic bacteria
World Hepatitis Day – July 28
World Hepatitis Day brings the world together to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis and to influence real change. The theme ‘Because Hepatitis Can’t Wait’ makes it clear that we need to keep fighting against this pathogen!
World Beer Day – August 2
International Beer Day is a global celebration of beer and its production. It’s a day for beer lovers everywhere to raise a toast to microbes, brewers and bartenders and rejoice in the greatness of beer!
- World Beer Day
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Searching for the missing parent of the lager yeast in Europe
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Where does the lager yeast come from?
World PCOS Day – September 1
During World PCOS Day, individuals and organizations around the world come together in solidarity to promote PCOS awareness and support the hundreds of millions of people impacted by polycystic ovary syndrome worldwide. And like for many other diseases, our microbiome also impacts the severity of PCOS symptoms.
International Microorganism Day – September 17
On September 17 1683, the Dutch merchant Antonie van Leeuwenhoek sent a letter to the Royal Society of London, with the first description of a single-celled organism. On this day, we celebrate how microbes affect our daily lives.
- International Microorganism Day
- #FEMSmicroBlog: 17 September is International Microorganism Day. But why 17 September?
- #FEMSmicroBlog: How does the climate change affect microbial communities?
World Coffee Day – October 1
International Coffee Day is a celebration of coffee production, quality and passion. It is an opportunity for coffee lovers to share their love of the beverage and support the millions of farmers whose livelihoods depend on this delicious fermented bean.
Biology Week – October 2-7
Biology Week showcases the important and amazing world of the biosciences.
UK Fungus Day – October 5
Yes, fungi are microbes, too! Initiated by the British Mycological Society, UK Fungus Day wants to celebrate all things fungi with many engagement initiatives and education activities. Around that day there is also World Fungus Day as well as many local initiatives by mycology groups and societies in the global North, coinciding with the beginning of Autumn.
- UK Fungus Day
- Listen to the “Microbes and Us” podcast episode: Nature’s Palette, Creating Beauty with Moulds in Art
World Teacher Day – October 5
A joint effort between UNESCO, International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF and Education International (EI), World Teachers’ Day celebrates all teachers around the globe and their effort in shaping the next generation. And while teachers are surely important at schools, they also help us share important knowledge about our microbial friends.
- World Teacher Day
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Microbial Pursuit – learning and revising while having fun!
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Learn Microbiology on YouTube!
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Boosting microbial literacy with the Bad Bugs Bookclub
Global Handwashing Day – October 15
One of the most effective ways to stop the spread of microbes and stay healthy is one of the simplest — handwashing with soap and water. This is why each year on October 15, Global Handwashing Day highlights the importance of handwashing with soap and water at home, in the community, and around the world.
World Flu Day – November 1
First established in 2018, this day commemorates the 100 years following the Spanish Flu Pandemic in 1918. Initiated by influenza researchers from around the world, the major purpose of World Flu Day is to raise awareness of influenza and to accelerate scientific innovation for both basic research and vaccine development against this viral pathogen.
One Health Day – November 3
One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral, and trans-disciplinary approach — working at the local, regional, national, and global levels. Its goal is to achieve optimal health outcomes by recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, microorganisms and their shared environment.
Antibiotic Awareness Week – November 18-25
Antibiotic Awareness Week raises awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic use.
- Antibiotic Awareness Week
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Antimicrobial resistance in the environment – where are we?
- #FEMSmicroBlog: Bacteria using stress responses to counteract antibiotics
World AIDS Day – December 1
World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.
- World AIDS Day
- #FEMSmicroBlog: World AIDS Day and HIV vaccines – Learning from an epidemic for an epidemic
World Soil Day – December 5
The World Soil Day and its campaign “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity” highlights the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being. It addresses the growing challenges in soil management, fights soil salinization, increases soil awareness and encourages governments, organizations, communities and individuals around the world to commit to proactively improving soil health.
The FEMS Team, which is based in Delft prior and after the current SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic, works behind the scenes to deliver the FEMS 2020-2024 Strategy.
About this blog section
The section #MicrobiologyIsEverywhere highlights the global relevance of microbiology. The section acknowledges that microbiology knows no borders, as well as the fact that microbiologists are everywhere and our FEMS network extends well beyond Europe. This blog entry type accepts contributions from excellent blogs translated into English. Regional stories with global relevance are welcomed. National or international events sponsored, organised or connected to FEMS are also covered.
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