Stories from the Microbial World Anthology

The Stories from the Microbial World anthology invites you to enter the fascinating world of microorganisms.

Microbes live on our skin, keep ecosystems healthy, fight pollution and turn waste into resources. In these 23 short stories, some of the plots unfold close to our everyday lives, some in the wonderland of tiny heroes, and some take us into an imaginative future.

Meet Willow as she is chased by a morphing pile of slime, and Mikey who stops showering. Discover how Anna masters the appetite for shit at the sewage plant, and how Sophie turns into a tree. Learn how Mike Robe arrives for his interview in a petri dish and Amanda survives a flood to find a world within our world instead of sorrows. You can even find out why Tim changes careers on his friends’ toilet… and read many more winning stories.

This anthology has been created as part of the Green Stories project. Most of the stories are from the ‘Microbes to the Rescue!’ short story competition, sponsored by the UKRI funded Environmental Biotechnology Network (EBNet) or the ‘Clean vs Green’ short story competition, supported by the University of Southampton.

Reviews about the Stories from the Microbial World anthology

“This collection is a fantastic testament to the many ways Environmental Biotechnology contributes to a healthier planet. Through engaging narratives, the anthology highlights how innovative microbial solutions are transforming waste management, pollution remediation, and sustainability. It’s a refreshing reminder of the tangible benefits of environmental biotech in our daily lives.”

Prof. Frederic Coulon Professor of Environmental Chemistry & Microbiology, Cranfield University

“This is a must read….it opens the doorway to the hidden world of microbes and the incredible ‘things’ they produce, such as everyday products like detergents (aka biosurfactants). The unseen world of microbes and how they can be harnessed to do incredible things, is captivating, thrilling and entertaining.” 

Prof. Tony Gutierrez, Professor in Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Heriot-Watt University.