What is a Germ?

A guest post by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology‘s public outreach coordinator, Geoff Hunt:  

Germs are everywhere. In the bathroom. On the subway. All over the kitchen. But what exactly is a germ? How does it make you sick? Is it alive? What does it look like?  

Comb through the scientific literature, and you will find thousands of papers that can answer these questions. But those different answers are confusing to the general public.  

That’s why ASBMB, in conjunction with the Cambridge Science Festival, is sponsoring the “What is a Germ?” challenge.  We’re looking for the most creative, insightful entries that can answer the simple question: What is a germ?  

Here’s a chance for scientists to take their technical knowledge and boil it down to a simple, straightforward explanation, free of jargon, complications and caveats. Scientists can use any format for their responses but should be aware that they will have to impress a panel of tough judges — elementary and middle school students chosen from the Boston area.  

Submit your entry today to germchallenge2013@gmail.com! For more information, go to www.asbmb.org/germ. Finalists will get to present their entries during the Cambridge Science Festival’s “Curiosity Challenge” Awards on Sunday, April 21.


Originally posted on Wild Types: A blog for ASBMB Today by Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay