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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Workflow for the Quantitative Assessment of the Endophytic and Epiphytic Bacterial Microbiomes of the Bark of Populus trichocarpa

A Workflow for the Quantitative Assessment of the Endophytic and Epiphytic Bacterial Microbiomes of the Bark of Populus trichocarpa

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In populo.

Daniel Westreich¹, Brian W Pence, Abigail Norris Turner

¹Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. westreic@email.unc.edu

Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)

|December 17, 2009

Summary

Epidemiologists need a new term to describe population-level science. The authors propose "in populo" to accurately represent studies conducted within a population, distinct from individual-level research.

Area of Science:

Epidemiology and population health research.

Background:

The terms "in vitro" and "in vivo" are standard in medical literature but do not encompass population-level studies.
The effects of exposures at the population level can differ significantly from individual-level effects due to factors like random error and herd immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce and define a new Latin phrase, "in populo," for population-level scientific research.
To address the gap in terminology for epidemiological and population health studies.

Main Methods:

Conceptual analysis and proposal of new terminology.

Main Results:

The inadequacy of existing terms like "in vitro" and "in vivo" for population science is highlighted.
The proposed term "in populo" is presented as a suitable descriptor for studies conducted at the population level.

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Conclusions:

"In populo" offers a precise and accurate term for population-level scientific investigations.
Adoption of "in populo" can enhance clarity and specificity in epidemiological research and related fields.