Overview

⏱️Schedule:  Doors 19:00 → Talk 19:30→ Q&A → Mingle

Most of us know about the "good" bacteria that help make yogurt and the "bad" bacteria that make us sick. But these are just the tip of the iceberg. The vast majority of microbial life on Earth remains a mystery—we can't even grow most of these organisms in the laboratory, which means we've only just begun to discover them.

In this talk, we'll dive into this hidden microbial world and explore how scientists are uncovering entirely new forms of life using modern DNA sequencing. Along the way, you'll discover the surprising roles these invisible microbes play in extreme environments, inside animals, and even in microscopic battles with previously unknown viruses.

Finally, we'll look at why these discoveries matter beyond the lab. From inspiring new medical treatments to helping clean up polluted environments and break down toxic waste, these hidden microbes could hold the key to some of tomorrow's biggest scientific breakthroughs.

By the end of the evening, you'll see the world around you a little differently—and realize that some of the greatest discoveries on Earth may still be invisible to the naked eye.

What you'll discover:

• Why most microbes on Earth have remained hidden from science.

• How DNA sequencing opened a window into this invisible world.

• How scientists discover new bacteria and uncover what they do—even without growing them in the lab.

• The surprising world of previously unknown viruses living in and around us.

• The microscopic relationships between bacteria and viruses, and why they matter for our health and the environment.

Speaker

Dr. Mária Džunková

Microbiologist, Researcher and Associate Professor at the University of Valencia

Originally from Slovakia, she studied in Prague before completing her PhD at the University of Valencia, including a research stay at Harvard University. She then carried out postdoctoral research at the University of Queensland in Australia and at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, where she developed innovative methods to study microbes and viruses using single-cell genomics.

Since returning to Valencia in 2021, she has established her own research group at the Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), securing over €1.6 million in research funding. Her research explores the hidden world of microbes and viruses through advanced DNA sequencing, while she also teaches genetics and DNA sequencing at the University of Valencia.

Location