Oct 19, 2026
BakterienZOOM – Discover Microbiology Interactively – A Project of the DLL Fund
A report by Christin Baumgärtel | Chair of General Microbiology
How do bacteria move? What structures enable them to move? And how can complex microbiological concepts be conveyed in a clear and engaging way? The interactive learning app “BakterienZOOM” offers a new approach to microbiology that combines scientific content with playful and visual elements.
Topics in the field of microbiology often remain abstract for students, as it is difficult to visualize life in the microcosm and its complexity. The BakterienZOOM learning app provides a vivid introduction to the diverse world of bacteria. Instead of conveying content exclusively through text and illustrations, students can interactively explore biological processes and independently work through key concepts. In the first lesson, they learn about various modes of bacterial locomotion and can immediately discover the underlying structures and mechanisms in action. The interactive design is intended not only to impart knowledge but also to encourage students to explore and experiment with biological concepts on their own.
In a planned practice mode, students can independently test their knowledge and prepare in a targeted manner for exams. The application can thus be used both as an introduction to a new topic and for reviewing and reinforcing material already covered. In the future, BakterienZOOM will be expanded with additional lessons to create a more comprehensive digital learning offering for microbiology. An initial prototype has already been tested in the introductory microbiology lab course. The practice mode for exam preparation was particularly well received. The field testing shows that interactive digital learning formats can serve as a valuable supplement to traditional university instruction.
The project was developed as part of ZILL’s “Digital Learning and Teaching” funding line. BakterienZOOM brings together various academic disciplines: The Chair of General Microbiology contributes the subject-specific content, while the Chair of Multimedia Technology provides expertise in digital and interactive design. The application was developed using the Unity game engine by an experienced programmer from the gaming industry.
The project also opens up exciting possibilities beyond the university. In the long term, the plan is to use it in extracurricular educational settings, for example in collaboration with the Senckenberg Japanese Palace and the Bakteriopolis project. In this way, BakterienZOOM could help make microbiological topics accessible in a vivid way not only to students but also to a broader audience.
© Sven Ellger/TUD
Research Associate
NameDr. Christin Baumgärtel
Science communication, project management Bakteriopolis
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The Digital Learning and Teaching Fund provides the Center for Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching with a tool for the (further) development of digital teaching and learning scenarios. In this way, we are contributing to the sustainable improvement of teaching quality at TUD.
During the 2025–2026 funding period, we were able to support and guide five exciting projects from various academic disciplines. As part of a series of news articles, we’d like to introduce the individual projects on our website over the next few weeks and show how they will continue to influence teaching at TUD after the projects conclude. Stay tuned!