Capture wild microbes

and turn them into bread – for science!

To make your own sourdough starter, all you need is flour, water, and a little bit of time. Whether you are here because your favorite bakery is currently closed and you need your bread fix, or because you are eager to help make even the smallest progress in our understanding of the microbial world, we are glad you are here! Regardless, we hope you will follow-along, make your own sourdough starter captured from wild microbes, and share your experience.

The microbial world is still full of mysteries. Some of the answers might be lurking in your kitchen. We know more about the deep sea than we do about some of the bacteria and fungi that are most important to us, partially because they can be so difficult to study. The microbial communities in sourdough are comparatively easy to grow and study, so understanding sourdough can help us untangle some of the mysteries of the microbial world.