From the scientific community to general public, interest in the community of bacteria found in our digestive system – our gut microbiota (previously known as gut microflora or gut flora) – is on the up. Consequently, there is an increased amount of accessible and clear information available for all kinds of audiences. This is the case of the Swiss national broadcasting service, RTS, which has created a section on its website (in French and German) exclusively dedicated to the world of microbes and gut microbiota, where we can find everything from video reports to articles, as well as an interactive section of FAQs.

Why do we talk about the gut microbiota as a “neglected organ”? What is its relationship with the brain? Do all humans have the same bacteria? These are just some of the questions that look for an answer in the article “Scientists find a new organ – the microbiota”. As the subject is a complex one, the website also provides content that easily explains the subject to children, including a text that explains what microbes are.

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ou will also come across a section created by students from Geneva University with material on the subject for high school Biology teachers. This is an independent website that, in addition to content for teachers, also has a section with images and a range of different resources.

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Congratulations to this Swiss initiative aimed at increasing society’s knowledge about the world of gut microbiota and its impact on our health, as our blog does. We would like to feature this kind of initiatives, so that more and more people become aware of the importance of looking after the microbes living in and on our bodies. Do you know of any similar initiatives in your country?