Viruses, microbes, bacteria… the discovery of the infinitesimal at the Museum of Biological Sciences near Lyon

After more than a year of work, the cultural establishment in Marseille-l’Etoile unveils its new permanent exhibition. The pathogenic universe is dissociated for adults and children. An interactive journey to understand advances in biology.

How were vaccines developed? What is the infectious risk? What does a virus look like? These questions are answered by the Marseille-l’Etoile Museum of Biological Sciences. Established in 2007, the establishment reopens its doors to visitors from February 21, after more than a year of operation.

An opportunity to completely rethink the educational approach of the exhibition. This new museum focuses on interaction, with manipulations to better understand microorganisms. Like this giant microscope to observe bacteria up close. Small theaters show documentaries about diseases with advanced biological discoveries, such as smallpox.

The visitor explores the closeness between humans and animals in terms of infectious diseases. 60% of them are harbored in animals before being transmitted to humans such as salmonellosis. They are called zoonoses. “It is a completely fragmented approach between disciplines to provide answers in the fight against infectious diseases.“, explains museum president ND Shifreville.

Also, how advances in human medicine can be useful for animals and vice versa. The horse, for example, has made it possible to develop serums to combat human pathology. Guy allowed Edward Jenner to invent a vaccine against smallpox. Then Louis Pasteur took up the work of overcoming rabies.

Doctor Merricks

The museum also tells about the life of the Marieux family, whose name it bears. The founder, biochemist Marcel Marieaux, was an assistant to Pasteur’s right-hand man, Emile Roux. Coming from a family of silk workers, Lyonnais invented colors to identify the nature of bacteria. He developed several medical innovations throughout his life and created the Marieux Institute. Now a holding company in the biology sector.

Doctor Marieux Museum of Biological Sciences, open from February 21, 2024, 69280 Marseille-l’Etoile.