UW-Parkside News: Science Night micros for “Bacterial Hunger Games”

Science Night micros for “Bacterial Hunger Games”

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside Science Night series gets microscopic Wednesday, Dec. 12, to play "Bacterial Hunger Games." Presented by UW-Parkside Biological Sciences Professor Greg Richards, this minute examination of the mastery microbes have over our diet, digestion, and disease begins at 7 p.m. in room 103 of Greenquist Hall on the campus at 900 Wood Rd., Kenosha.

Dr. Richards said although microorganisms get a bad rap for causing disease, many of them are beneficial to the human body.

"In this talk, we'll celebrate the countless ways microbes help us survive and thrive," Richards said in describing his program. "These range from the delectable--facilitating fermentation of foods like cheese, yogurt, and sauerkraut, to the digestive--synthesizing vitamins and helping us absorb nutrients, to the downright death-defying--helping our immune system fend off marauding microbes that cause disease, engaging in a body-based battle royal!"

Prior to joining the UW-Parkside faculty, Dr. Richards served as a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral fellow at the University of Illinois. His interest in bacterial symbioses stems from his work at UW-Madison, where he received his Ph.D. in 2008. His current research involves bacterial responses to stress caused by sugar-phosphates. He also really enjoys cheese.

"Bacterial Hunger Games: The Mastery of Microbes over Our Diet, Digestion, and Disease" with Biological Sciences Professor Greg Richards, is free and open to the public. High school and middle school students and faculty with an interest in math and science are encouraged to attend. Admission is free and parking in the Student Center lot is free after 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, call 262-595-2172.

ABOUT THIS STORY:

Story Status: Archived
Publish date: 12/7/2012