Bacteria's Secret Communication

Bacteria that whisper to each otherHow can creatures as small as bacteria kill us? In this fascinating talk, researcher and author Fatima Alzahra'a Alatractchi invites us squarely into the microscopic world of bacteria -- a place where far more is going on than we can see with the naked eye.

Through her pioneering research, Fatima Alzahra'a Alatractchi has acquired a very special ability: she can hear how bacteria whisper to each other. She has heard how they live as social creatures in advanced societies with all that it entails of existential struggles and survival strategies.

As Fatima tries to understand what it is that makes such tiny creatures kill us, she discovers that bacteria can teach us something much bigger about life. We can ask the bacteria questions that we ourselves have spent generation after generation answering and “hearing” their answers. Is it worth cheating? What happens to a society if everyone behaves passively and stops cooperating? And then the big question: What can bacteria tell us about the meaning of life?

So even if germs don't immediately tell you anything, there is a certain risk that you will leave the lecture both wiser, intrigued and with a whole new look at communities, selfishness, cooperation, survival, yes, life.

About the AuthorFatima Alzahra'a Alatractchi is a research leader, lecturer and entrepreneur, known for her research on bacteria and nanotechnology.

She holds her PhD from the Technical University of Denmark and is currently an associate professor and lecturer at the Department of Natural Sciences and Environment at Roskilde University. As a result of her research and academic track record, Fatima has received a number of prestigious awards, including the Lundbeck Foundation Talent Prize, the L'Oréal-UNESCO Prize for Science, Inspire them Young by Albright and Hope of the Year by FEMINA. In 2024, Fatima was named one of the 100 greatest talents in Denmark by Berlingske. In 2019, Fatima was named one of Europe's “30 under 30” in science and health by Forbes. Her TED talk has been watched by over 2 million people worldwide. Fatima wrote her first book at age 14. It was published at Politikens Forlag. She is currently writing the popular science book “Obsessed by Bacteria” (Politikens Forlag, 2026).

Vild med ScienceThe event is part of the Copenhagen Libraries' festival “Vild med”. The festival takes place at the libraries in the municipality of Copenhagen between October and November. Here you will be able to experience scientific lectures and talks for adults on all kinds of topics.

Practical infoMonday, November 2, 19-20:30

Free admission, but remember to register at the ticket