Crazy about science: Obsessed with bacteria

Experience: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 developed a very special ability: she can hear the bacteria whisper to each other. And when you listen, a surprising picture emerges. Bacteria live in advanced societies with communication, cooperation, conflicts, and strategies for survival.

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.

But what can bacteria really teach us about humans? In many ways, their lives are similar to ours, and therefore bacteria can give us answers to questions such as: 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.

Meet:Fatima 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 by Berlingske as one of the 100 greatest talents in Denmark.

Fatima was named one of Europe's “30 under 30" in science and health in 2019 by Forbes.

· Her TED talk has been seen by over 2 million people worldwide.

About Vild med science:The event is part of 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.

Questions? Write to librarian Mads Kusk (makusk@kk.dk)