Fight for survival Our contribution to the Global Science Film Festival 2025 Invisible to the naked eye, but omnipresent: bacteria live in the soil, in water – and even inside us. Many are essential to life, and some possess sophisticated weapons to fight microscopic rivals. In our short film, researchers from the Swiss Nanoscience Institute and the Biozentrum at the University of Basel show how the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa attacks its opponents and defends itself with astonishing preci- sion using a molecular “nano-harpoon” – the type VI secretion system (T6SS). Video For the second time, the SNI participated in the Global Science Film Festival with a video contribution. Science at markets This year, the SNI outreach team was not only present with a booth at the Rüeblimärt in Aarau, but also for the first time at “Advent i de Altstadt.” In addition to information about nanoscience, children especially enjoyed “magically” extinguishing candles using bak- ing powder and vinegar. Many also crafted a five- pointed star with just one cut or marveled at the ther- mal camera, which visualizes the temperature of dif- ferent objects using infrared radiation. It was a wonderful opportunity to make science tangible in a playful way and to engage with many curious visitors. SNI post Video Scientists from Basel and Eindhoven came together to present and discuss current approaches and ideas in the field of bio-functional systems. Symposium “Bottom-up Strategies for Bio-functional Systems” in Basel On November 3, the one-day symposium “Bottom-up Strategies for Bio-functional Systems” took place at the Biozentrum in Basel. The group of Prof. Cornelia Palivan had organized the event and it was supported by the Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI) and the De- partment of Chemistry. SNI post Scientists from Basel and Eindhoven came together to present and discuss current approaches and ideas in the field of bio-functional systems. 36 SNI INSight December 2025
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