NBIC Launch #BiofilmAware Campaign
We’re pleased to announce the launch of our biofilm awareness campaign, #BiofilmAware, which will run over the next 12 months.
Biofilms are well known to a number of research and development disciplines, but not to the general public. What they are, how they are formed and how they impact our world, generally is still a mystery to those outside the scientific community. Through a blend of content, events and outreach activities #BiofilmAware will work to raise awareness of NBIC and its research, and the many societal and economic impacts of biofilms. A highlight of the campaign will be the introduction of the UK’s first #BiofilmWeek, to be held in July 2021 to coincide with an NBIC event.
Dr Mark Richardson, NBIC CEO said,
“A key part of NBIC’s role is Public Engagement and Outreach. At a time when each one of us has become acutely aware of the fragility of our relationship with the natural world, then as well as progressing the delivery of innovations, this is a vital activity for us to undertake. This campaign is geared to communicate the impact of biofilms to society and the general public. It will help us to understand public concerns and allow us to communicate the importance of controlling and exploiting microbial communities.”
A range of digital campaign resources are available on the our website. Visit the #BiofilmAware hub to download and start sharing!
The hub will be updated over the duration of the campaign with new and exciting content for you to share on a regular basis.
Professor Nicola Stanley-Wall, University of Dundee said,
“While the word “biofilm” may be unfamiliar, the impact they have on everyday life will not be. Biofilms are part of us, in the form of dental plaque. They also drive the generation of clean water in sewage, processing plants and increasing the yield of crops. The #BiofilmAware campaign is important, as it will help shine a light on both the remarkable and devastating consequences of biofilm formation.”
Professor Cait MacPhee, Co-Director of NBIC and Personal Chair of Biological Physics, University of Edinburgh said,
“Microbial biofilms are the predominant form of microbial life on Earth and they impact us daily, in so many different ways. Because they are so ubiquitous, we need a truly interdisciplinary approach to studying them, as well as input from the public to understand their needs and concerns NBIC links up industry and academics to deliver the best, most relevant and life-changing science to the public. The #BiofilmAware campaign starts an important dialogue to ensure people’s needs are and will be met.”
If you’re interested in supporting our campaign, or if you’re an academic in a research institution or a commercial organisation with a desire to join our mission to achieve breakthroughs in biofilm innovation, please contact us.