infocus #23 September 2011 Microscopy and Hygiene

DOI: 10.22443/rms.inf.1.73

Most people know that it is important to adhere to hygienic rules - to wash their hands, to brush their teeth and to avoid unsanitary conditions in order to prevent infectious diseases. Electron microscopy shows that micro-organisms, particularly bacteria and fungi (moulds) are ubiquitous - on our skin, in our mouth and intestines, in foods, in the streets, on money, in animal and bird excrement, in the air - and they rapidly multiply in favourable conditions. This presentation shows bacteria at high magnification in various environments and in false colours.