01. Why I Fell in Love with Microbiology
My love affair with microbes began in the most ordinary place—my kitchen. Like many home cooks, I heard about yeast in recipes and conversations, but treated it just like any other ingredient, no different from sugar or flour. I never gave it much thought.
That changed completely when I started my education in food science. I discovered that my dismissive approach to yeast had been incredibly naive. Here was an organism with remarkable metabolic machinery, surprisingly similar to our own human cells. The complexities of yeast fermentation captivated me completely.
A serendipitous internship at a yeast research laboratory led to my MSc, and eventually to a PhD in wine fermentation at the Australian Wine Research Institute. Those were incredible times, where I learned everything about yeast nutrition and how similar it is to human nutrition.
The more I studied yeast, the more I realized how much these microscopic organisms mirror our own cellular processes.
Back then, I was focused on one (amazing) organism, fascinated by the technical aspects of fermentation and how to maximise its potential. These days, my interests have evolved from mainly technical to also philosophical. I am fascinated by the dynamics of microbial communities and the interactions between different microbes.
Illustrations of microbial communities
Consider the complex interplay between yeast and bacteria in sourdough making, or in the preparation of vinegar, or the bacterial dynamics of sauerkraut. Not to mention the microbial interactions in our gut.
Don't be fooled by their size – the microbial world is a ruthless realm filled with fierce competition, surprising instances of complete altruism, and remarkable adaptation to the point where individual organisms sometimes lose their distinct identity.
In this "Microbial Mindset" series, I'll explore how the principles that govern these tiny organisms offer powerful insights into our own lives, communities, and systems. From the critical importance of diversity to the delicate balance of competition and cooperation, microbes have much to teach us.
I hope you'll join me on this journey of discovery. You can trust me on the science—it will be accurate and backed by current research. The philosophical connections are my own musings about how microbial wisdom might apply to our world.
What microbial patterns have you noticed in your kitchen, garden, or daily life? Share your observations in the comments below!