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Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Microbiota of Attine Ants' Gardens: Visualizing a Microbial Landscape by Scanning Electron Microscopy
Published on: October 4, 2024
Making microbiology of the built environment relevant to design
G Z Brown1,2, Jeff Kline3,4, Gwynne Mhuireach3,4,5
1Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, Department of Architecture, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA. gzbrown@uoregon.edu.
Abstract:
Architects are enthusiastic about "bioinformed design" as occupant well-being is a primary measure of architectural success. However, architects are also under mounting pressure to create more sustainable buildings. Scientists have a critical opportunity to make the emerging field of microbiology of the built environment more relevant and applicable to real-world design problems by addressing health and sustainability in tandem. Practice-based research, which complements evidence-based design, represents a promising approach to advancing knowledge of the indoor microbiome and translating it to architectural practice.
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