Microbes are everywhere, including those that have coevolved in and on us. The human microbiome plays an important physiological role and recent evidence indicates that this microbiome is changing. Microbial diversity is reduced as urbanization and westernization have increased. However, the effect of the built environment on the human microbiome is not well understood.
The presentation will show results from a study conducted in the Amazon Basin that considered humans and indoor environments in dwellings ranging from a village in the jungle to a major metropolitan area. Samples of microbes from building occupants, home pets, building materials and home objects were collected to assess the influence that urbanization level and corresponding environmental conditions have on microbial communities. Preliminary results indicate that changes in the use of home space and architecture, lead to changes in environmental parameters, ventilation rate, and building materials that are relevant to home microbes.
November 12th, 2013 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
ACE Building, Avaya Auditorium