News

Small World Initiative emerged at Yale University (USA) in 2012 as a citizen science project to find new antibiotics, foster scientific culture and help awaken new scientific vocations among young students.

From there it has been spreading around the world (it has already settled in 12 countries). In this academic year 2017-18 it has arrived in Navarra thanks to David González, professor of the Department of Microbiology and Parasitology of the University of Navarra.

He -together with the teachers and PIFs Ignacio López Goñi, Anabel Vitas, Gabriel Reina, Lara Pérez, Yadira Pastor, Melibea Berzosa, Amaia Zúñiga and Leticia Lázaro- and fifty students from the 3rd and 4th years of Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacy and Human Nutrition and Dietetics -who collaborate as volunteers accompanying them in the different centers- have launched the first edition of the project in the region, to which more than ten schools have signed up.

The approach - which emulates Alexander Fleming's serendipitous discovery of penicillin - "aims to involve high school students in a global research project, involving several countries, that addresses a very important health problem: the need to find new antibiotics effective against infectious diseases," says Professor Gonzalez.

To do this, the students carry out a series of experiments directed by the professors and divided into 5 sessions. "In them they collect soil samples, isolate different bacteria, test these bacteria that they have isolated against clinically relevant microorganisms and then characterize those that show inhibitory activity," explains the Microbiology researcher.

The initiative's approach also provides a platform for antibiotic discovery, harnessing the power of active learning to achieve educational and scientific goals. "This initiative differs from traditional courses in that it offers opportunities for original research rather than relying on experiments with predetermined outcomes," says Professor David Gonzalez. Thus, those involved in the initiative have the opportunity to contribute to averting the antibiotic crisis while acquiring laboratory skills.

In addition, this service-learning project has the collaboration of the Science Museum of the University of Navarra.