Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39936816›Full record

ArticleMicrobial biotechnology2025

Microbiome Literacy: Enhancing Public and Academic Understanding Through the 'Microbiome & Health' Online Course.

Matthias Schweitzer, Birgit Wassermann, Ahmed Abdelfattah, Tomislav Cernava, Gabriele Berg

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Microbial biotechnology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Matthias SchweitzerInstitute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7770-2775
Birgit WassermannInstitute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6270-1345
Ahmed AbdelfattahInstitute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6090-7200
Tomislav CernavaInstitute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.
Gabriele BergInstitute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.

Funding

Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und ForschungUniversity of Vienna, Graz University of Technology
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Microorganisms are fundamental to life on Earth, influencing biogeochemical processes, soil fertility, and the health of humans, animals and plants. Human activities have left a remarkable footprint on the environment, including global microbiomes. Enhancing awareness and improving education about microbiome functions can contribute to a sustainable economy and resilient systems. However, public understanding of microbiome science is hindered by misinformation and limited accessible educational resources. To address this, we developed the massive open online course (MOOC) 'Microbiome & Health', available on iMooX.at and YouTube. The course, structured into six units, covers microbiome concepts, methodologies, human and plant microbiomes, antibiotic resistance, and environmental impacts, aligning with the One Health concept and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Initial results show that the MOOC provides the means to increase microbiology literacy, with 73.2% external participation and above-average completion rates. Integration as a mandatory component in university courses has improved student performance, halting declining grades and pass rates. This highlights the MOOC's potential to enhance public and academic understanding of microbiome science, fostering informed decisions for sustainable health and environmental stewardship as well as paving the way for new microbiome-based solutions in biotechnology.

Indexed as

Education, DistanceMicrobiotaBiology

Identifiers

PMID39936816
PMCPMC11815710

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.