News of March 25, 2026

Cosmo Exhibition Bacteria

Since March 24, 2026, the COSMO Science Forum has been dedicated to the topic of “bacteria.” Until April 30, 2026, visitors can discover the invisible inhabitants that populate our world - tiny, fascinating, and full of surprises.

Bacteria are among the oldest and most diverse forms of life on Earth. They live almost everywhere: in the air, in water, in the soil, and even on and inside our bodies. Because bacteria are extremely small, they usually remain invisible to the naked eye. Nevertheless, they perform vital functions: they break down organic material (such as plant debris in a compost pile), aid in digestion, enable food production, and play a crucial role in research, medicine, and the environment. In this exhibition, you’ll learn about their amazing abilities and discover how they live together in complex communities. After all, bacteria rarely live alone. They exchange nutrients and chemical signals, cooperate, and adapt to their environment together. This close coexistence gives rise to complex structures - bacterial cities whose organization and division of labor resemble human metropolises.

The “Bakteriopolis” exhibition is open to everyone aged 14 and older and is presented in German and English. Admission is free. Accompanying workshops and discussion events for adults and children will take place. Guided tours are available upon request.

In addition to the HZDR, the exhibition features the Technical University of Dresden (with the Chair of General Microbiology and the Chair of Multimedia Technology), the Leibniz Institute DSMZ GmbH – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, and studio.fragil – Sandro Berneis, Dresden.

About the COSMO Science Forum

COSMO is an interactive science forum where current research can be experienced live through various event formats and interactive exhibits. COSMO is jointly operated by the Barkhausen Institute, the Department of Speculative Transformation at TU Dresden, and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf in collaboration with partner institutions of the Dresden Science Alliance DRESDEN-concept, the Dresden Philharmonic, and the Central Library.