S12E1 - Kristen Landreville - Engineering Indoor Microbiomes: Perceptions and Implications

Sept. 2, 2025 - GES Colloquium | FALL SEMINAR SERIES

Societal and Ethical Implications in Research of Microbiome Engineering in the Built Environment

What do people think about using genetically engineered microbes in their homes to prevent mold or reduce pathogens in their kitchen sink? To what extent does the public support introducing microbiomes into hospital sinks to reduce hospital-acquired infections? What are some societal and ethical implications of these emerging technologies? In her talk, Dr. Landreville will present research that addresses these questions using data from public opinion surveys, qualitative interviews, and home observations. She will also discuss the responsible research and innovation framework, principles, and practices that PreMiEr (Precision Microbiome Engineering Research) employs in its research. The goal of her presentation is to provide the audience with knowledge about the extent to which the public thinks about the health of their indoor environments as related to microbes and the extent to which the public is willing to consider microbiome engineering and genetically engineered microbes to improve the health of their homes, hospitals, and other indoor spaces. Related links:

• Natural vs. genetically engineered microbiomes: understanding public attitudes for indoor applications and pathways for future engagement
• Taking the temperature of the United States public regarding microbiome engineering
• Societal and Ethical Implications of Microbiome Engineering of the Built Environment Workshop 2024
• Societal and Ethical Implications of Microbiome Engineering of the Built Environment Symposium 2025
• Precision Microbiome Engineering Research Center
• Download seminar graphic

Dr. Kristen Landreville, PhD

Senior Research Scholar at NC State University | Profile Kristen D. Landreville, PhD, is a Senior Research Scholar at North Carolina State University, where she leads social science and public engagement research as part of the Societal and Ethical Implications (SEI) Core in the PreMiEr Engineering Research Center. She collaborates with teams across five universities to investigate public understanding of microbiomes of the built environment, such as fungal mold in households along coastal towns. Broadly, Kristen is a social scientist with experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. She uses her expertise in communication, media, psychology, and political science to study public attitudes and behaviors surrounding science, the environment, health, and risk.

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Recorded from NC State’s GES Colloquium, this podcast examines how biotechnologies take shape in the world: microbiome engineering in built environments, gene editing and gene drives, forest and agricultural genomics, data governance and equity, risk and regulation, sci-art, and public engagement in practice.

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