Soils for Science

Language of the Land - Brisbane has its say!

Published on: 18 September 2023

Find out the results of our last weekly poll!

Woman holding soil in hands standing in muddy field

Unearthing the hidden narrative of nature

Dr Khalil probes the hidden world of microbes in soil samples to fight antibiotic-resistant infections.

High school student swaps the beach for the bench

While many high school students hit the beach over summer, one Brisbane 16-year-old spent part of his holiday unearthing new medicines.

Top Queensland Scientist joins Soils for Science

Published on: 31 January 2023

Interim Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Bronwyn Harch is lending her support to the Soils for Science program.

Hand holding up Soils for Science sample bag with field in the background

Soils for Science reaches 10,000 samples

Published on: 7 December 2022

Dr Zeinab Khalil shares how the team uncovers the secrets hidden in soil, the challenges they’ve faced along the way, and plans for 2023.

A hand with blue gloves holding a petri dish with bacteria and fungi grown from a soil sample

Under the microscope: Unearthing the Soils for Science gallery

Get a glimpse of the weird and wonderful microbes burrowed in backyards across the country.

Students from the Muresk Institute in Western Australia collect soil samples

Thousands of Australians dig deep to fight the war on superbugs

Citizen scientists across Australia are digging deep, collecting soil samples for IMB's Soils for Science program, helping researchers discover and develop new antibiotics.

Soils for Science spotlight: Professor Rob Capon

IMB’s Professorial Research Fellow and Group Leader has dedicated his career to harvesting vital drug leads from nature.

Capreomycin was developed from the soil bacterium, Streptomyces capreolus.

Soil: The latest weapon against superbugs

How a handful of dirt can prevent a looming global health crisis.

Soils for Science spotlight: Dr Zeinab Khalil

The IMB Research Fellow and Soils for Science Project Manager is driven by a desire to overcome the pressing problem of antibiotic resistance.