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Short Abstract

MicroMundo@Oeiras unites students, teachers, and researchers in antibiotic discovery to fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Through citizen science and open data, it advances health innovation, empowering communities and fostering inclusive, transdisciplinary action against global AMR threats.

Abstract

MicroMundo@Oeiras is a citizen science project integrated into the international Tiny Earth network, addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the greatest threats to public health, responsible for millions of deaths each year. Because soil microorganisms are prolific sources of natural antibiotics yet difficult to survey at scale, MicroMundo mobilizes high-school, undergraduate, and master’s students - together with teachers and researchers - to discover antibiotic-producing bacteria from local environments. Participants receive structured training and follow standardized protocols that couple theory with hands-on work, building scientific literacy and trust while generating actionable data. In Portugal, MicroMundo began in 2018 at the University of Porto (MicroMundo@UPorto), where >200 soil samples were processed and 80 isolates with antimicrobial activity identified. In 2024, the initiative expanded to Oeiras under ITQB NOVA’s Ciência + Cidadã program, in partnership with the Oeiras Municipality and two ITQB NOVA laboratories, with a focus on detecting AMR hotspots. To date, MicroMundo@Oeiras has screened >750 bacterial isolates collected by citizen scientists, identifying 15 with antimicrobial activity for downstream characterization (to determine whether they produce new or known compounds). In parallel, 159 antibiotic-resistant isolates have been recorded, and all open data are available via the Oeiras Interativa platform. Monitoring soil resistomes provides insight into how resistance emerges and spreads. The program has already yielded two scientific publications, including a FEMS Microbiology Letters article co-authored by citizen scientists, and equips students with a practical understanding of how antibiotics work, what drives resistance, and how everyday behaviors influence AMR.