Microbial Identities

The landscapes of our bodies are home to trillions of microorganisms, building a community, which is called the human microbiome. Known as our second genome, the microbiome renders each individual even more unique than our own DNA. It is a cultural heritage, descending from our ancestors, as much as from our current surroundings, which not only shapes our physical well-being, but also has a great influence on the human psyche and social interactions.

In a world where we started acknowledging the value of the human microbiome, microbial harvesters collect the precious bacteria people are cultivating on their bodies. Microbiome donors became an essential part of society, as they contribute to the regeneration of bacterial diversity. Each microbial identity can be conserved, composing a whole network of microbiomes, that can be shared, combined and shaped according to the particular body. Being an active curator of our microbial identities is a step towards changing the view on our bodies as isolated organisms and the formation of our individuality as a solitary process.