Exploring the microbiome of the air at Jungfraujoch (3500m)

This photo shows a microbiological expedition at the High Altitude Research Station Jungfraujoch. Our team investigated which bacteria and fungi live in alpine air. How many bacteria are living in “clean air”? And are there even human pathogens? Situated on the ridge between the mountains of Mönch and Jungfrau, we set up our experiments right below the Sphinx observatory, non-accessible to any tourists. We worked in the thin air from morning till midnight for a whole week, surrounded by beautiful mountains and the impressive Aletsch glacier. Once we even had a heavy snowstorm! It was a challenging but unforgettable experience.
by Elisa Sosa