She wants to learn to talk to bacteria

Last minute application

Same day as the deadline for applications for this year's PhD Cup, Nathalie made a quick decision. She wanted to throw her hat in the ring and send off an application. Many months later, she is among the final five and has learned a lot about herself, her research, and her communication skills.

"I was a little nervous about signing up. I believe I am reasonably good at communicating. I have been a tour guide and presenter at the Blue Planet Aquarium (Den Blå Planet) for five years. But communicating about complicated research, like mine, has to be much more on-point. It has to be precise and correct – and there is no room for the free-styling I have been used to. But – I like to challenge myself. So off the application went," laughs Nathalie.

One of her concerns was whether she had enough results in her PhD project. When someone like Nathalie is a pioneer in a field and does basic research that explores completely new angles, the result often leads to more questions than answers.

"But that's a point in itself," she explains: "I think we need to stop being so results-oriented. In research circles, there is a saying that approximately 90% of our results are 'negative'. But those results help narrow the 'field', exclude and inspire to look for new paths."

Nathalie sees a vast potential in understanding how bacteria communicate. "With the right knowledge, we can fight diseases and restore ecosystems," she elaborates.

Bacteria are the rulers of the planet

In her PhD project, Nathalie tried to find out how marine bacteria communicate with each other. She focused on a single bacterium, Phaeobacter inhibens, and the molecule Tropodithietic acid that the bacterium produces.

The single-celled microorganisms are between 0.1 and 100 micrometres in size and, therefore, invisible to the naked eye – but they can influence and interact with other bacteria.

"Phaeobacter inhibens can be used as probiotics for the fish larvae, as it naturally produces Tropodithietic acid, which can kill disease-promoting bacteria in fish larvae. Utilizing this knowledge in fish farming and pond farming can hinder antibiotic overdoses," she explains.

Although the bacteria are so small that they are only visible under a microscope, they are actually the dominant life on the planet, measured in biomass.

There are 5 quintillion – that figure is written with 30 zeros - bacteria on earth, and they have been around since the origin of life. The first life form was a bacterium, and when the sun burns out, the last life will be a bacterium.

"So yes, bacteria are important. For you and me – and our planet," Nathalie says before elaborating on her fascination with bacteria: "If you count the cells in your body, only 10 % are human cells. The rest are, in fact, bacteria and other microorganisms."