This exhibition closed in April 2019. For details on our current exhibitions visit our See and Do page.
Antibiotics have enabled us to combat diseases that were once untreatable. But bacteria have fought back, evolving into superbugs resistant to even the most powerful antibiotics.
This exhibition explored how society is responding to the enormous challenge of antibiotic resistance, featuring scientific research from across the globe and the personal stories of those waging war on the superbugs.
Objects on display included real bacteria and innovative technologies being used to make superbugs a thing of the past.
Superbugs
Bacteria display—created for the exhibition by bioartist Anna Dumitriu.
Colonies of bacteria created by bioartist Anna Dumitriu.
Tub containing 14,000 pills—taken over two years, this is the amount required to treat drug-resistant TB.
Penicillium mould grown from Alexander Fleming's original sample.
Dried Leafcutter ants on display—these ants live in a mutually beneficial relationship with antibiotic-producing bacteria.
Find out the personal stories of the people who wage war on superbugs.
