Our bodies are home to trillions of microorganisms that help digest food, support immunity, and protect us from disease. When these complex microbial communities are disrupted, the consequences can include infections, chronic inflammation, and other health challenges. Scientists are increasingly asking whether microbes themselves, ranging from beneficial bacteria used as probiotics to viruses that target harmful pathogens, can be harnessed as powerful new tools for improving human health. From addressing antibiotic resistance to promoting oral and gut health, microbe-based therapies are opening up new possibilities for more precise and sustainable treatments. This panel will explore how researchers are learning to work with microorganisms rather than against them, and what it might mean to turn some of the smallest living things on Earth into next-generation therapeutics.
Panelists
Ken Blount
Chief Scientific Officer, Rebiotix and VP Microbiome Research, Ferring PharmaceuticalsMikael Elias
Professor, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, College of Biological SciencesCari Vanderpool
Professor and Department Head, Plant and Microbial Biology, College of Biological Sciences
Note: Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Program starts at 6:15 p.m.
Petri Dish panel discussions explore how biology affects our lives and what it means for our future. No PowerPoints. Just lively, curiosity-driven conversations on timely topics with University of Minnesota experts.
Organized by the University of Minnesota’s College of Biological Sciences in collaboration with the Bell Museum.
Event details
- March 25, 2026
- 6-8 p.m.
- Urban Growler Brewing Co. | 2325 Endicott Street Saint Paul, MN 55114