This week, Tiny Earth workshop, a pioneering global undergraduate research initiative that aims to build a promising research track to discover new antibiotics in soil concluded this week. The three-week workshop targeted medical students at Arabian Gulf University (AGU) and was organised by the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, under the supervision of Dr Mohammed Shaheen and Dr Abdullah Alsaleh.

The Tiny Earth program is a worldwide educational initiative designed to involve university students in real-world research to combat the declining effectiveness of antibiotics. Participants collect soil samples from their local environments and analyse them to identify microbes that may produce antibacterial compounds.

Fifteen second and third-year medical students took part in the workshop, gaining a unique, comprehensive, hands-on research experience over three weeks in the laboratories of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Throughout the program, students learned how to collect and process soil samples and apply advanced diagnostic techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis. This enhanced their research skills and prepared them for future academic and professional excellence.

The program aligns with the Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE), a modern educational approach that enables students to conduct original scientific research even in institutions with limited traditional research opportunities. The program develops skills in scientific research, teamwork, data analysis, and critical thinking, increasing students’ prospects of pursuing careers in science.

Commenting on the workshop, the organisers affirmed that Tiny Earth not only trains students in scientific methodology but also fosters a spirit of discovery and global health contribution, especially in addressing the urgent issue of antibiotic resistance.