Ideas worth spreading

To detect diseases earlier, let's speak bacteria's secret language

1,965,366 views | Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi • TEDxAarhus

Bacteria "talk" to each other, sending chemical information to coordinate attacks. What if we could listen to what they were saying? Nanophysicist Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi invented a tool to spy on bacterial chatter and translate their secret communication into human language. Her work could pave the way for early diagnosis of disease -- before we even get sick.

Bacteria "talk" to each other, sending chemical information to coordinate attacks. What if we could listen to what they were saying? Nanophysicist Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi invented a tool to spy on bacterial chatter and translate their secret communication into human language. Her work could pave the way for early diagnosis of disease -- before we even get sick.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxAarhus, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

Learn more about next-generation early diagnostics at PreDiagnose.

About the speaker

Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi

Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi

Nanophysicist, entrepreneur

See speaker profile

Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi invented a method to spy on the social behavior and communication of bacteria.

About TEDx

TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." It supports independent organizers who want to create a TED-like event in their own community.

Find a TEDx event near you

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxAarhus, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

Learn more about next-generation early diagnostics at PreDiagnose.