This topic emerged through a screening of emerging issues in science, technology and society in the context of the FET CSA OBSERVE.

http://www.horizon-observatory.eu/radar-en/index.php

The big picture

Several of the findings relate to the way humanity deals with bacteria. One of the most prominent aspects is the rise of antibiotic resistance which poses a severe threat to many established practices of today’s societies. All the more relevant seem other ways of dealing with bacteria such as antibacterial shields but also better understanding of the role of bacteria for human life (microbiome) and ways to influence bacteria e.g. through genome editing. At the same time bacteria are increasingly being used for processes.

The following specific aspects emerged from the analysis:

Post antibiotics

Infections that are resistant to antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines are increasing fast due to the massive use of such medicines not only for humans but also for livestock. The malaria parasite for instance has a new resistance to the malaria-drug spreading over South and East Asia. Bacteria that are immune to antibiotics might actually be deadlier than bacteria that aren't. This is posing many threats such as increasing risk of infection after operations. Some actors are already wondering how post antibiotic societies may look like. Source: Nesta infectious futures and several;

Water based nano bacteria shields

Water particles could provide a powerful airborne shield against bacteria (including antibiotics resistant ones). Source: The Economist Technology Quarterly;

Antibacterial bio-microfilm

Infections from medical implants are rare but they can still occur. To guard against this infection risk, scientists have developed a thin, silver-coated biofilm to prevent bacteria adhering and surviving on the device. Silver has good antibacterial and antifungal properties. In addition to silver, antimicrobial peptides, including catestatin, are included within the chemical matrix. The findings are published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials. Practical applications are expected in a couple of years. Source: Trends of the future;

Understanding the microbiome

Increased understanding of the microbiome-the community of microorganisms in our bodies-is challenging our long-running obsession with antibacterial measures. New approaches to staying healthy will be based on balancing the ecologies of microorgan-isms: think "bugs, not drugs." Indiegogo-funded uBiome is already helping people better understand their germs by sequencing the bacteria in their bodies. Microbiomes have become the focus of intense study and public interest. The trillions of microbes that live inside the human body play important roles in health, from fighting diseases to maintaining a balanced immune system. The White House is considering increasing its support of research into the workings of these microbial communities. Source: Aggregated from several

Emerging research front: CRISPR/CAS Genome-editing technology

The CRISPR/CAS Genome-editing technology is considered to have great potential due to its many advantages to previous methods. It has been successfully applied to many studies of plant and animal behaviour. Since 2013 this field has become extremely active very fast. Source: Thomson Reuters Research Fronts 2014;

Biomanufacturing

Living organisms such as viruses are genetically modified to create materials e.g. for semiconductors or batteries. Biomanufacturing has advantages such as non toxic, low energy. Medical applications are also explored (e.g. finding and fighting tumours). With the development of pharmaceuticals and artificial organisms, new biology-based proc-esses will do things that only machines have previously done. For example, scientists have recently been able to modify cells to act like fully functional computers. Source: The Economist Technology Quarterly; IFTF;