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We're covered in germs. Let's design for that.

1,080,937 views | Jessica Green • TED2013

Our bodies and homes are covered in microbes -- some good for us, some bad for us. As we learn more about the germs and microbes who share our living spaces, TED Fellow Jessica Green asks: Can we design buildings that encourage happy, healthy microbial environments?

Our bodies and homes are covered in microbes -- some good for us, some bad for us. As we learn more about the germs and microbes who share our living spaces, TED Fellow Jessica Green asks: Can we design buildings that encourage happy, healthy microbial environments?

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Jessica Green

Engineer and biodiversity scientist

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Jessica Green wants people to understand the important role microbes play in every facet of our lives: climate change, building ecosystems, human health, even roller derby -- using nontraditional tools like art, animation and film to help people visualize the invisible world.

Steven W. Kembel et al. | The ISME Journal, 2012 | Article

Architectural design influences the diversity and structure of the built environment microbiome

James F. Meadow et al. | Indoor Air, February 2014 | Article

Indoor airborne bacterial communities are influenced by ventilation, occupancy, and outdoor air source

| Explore

Microbiology of the Built Environment Network

University of Oregon | Explore

Biology and the Built Environment Center

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This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.