Pseudoalteromonas bacteria are expert chemists that often live symbiotically with corals, sponges, and other ocean inhabitants. They will pump out dozens bioactive molecules to protect themselves and their hosts in exchange for shelter from the harsh conditions of the open ocean. We are studying Pseudoalteromonas to discover new antibiotics and other medicinal natural products. Here we see Pseudoalteromonas piscicida growing on cotton balls in a liquid medium. Much like coral, the balls allow the bacteria to attach to a solid surface and stimulate the production of very interesting natural products, such as the vibrant orange pigment seen in this photo.
Submission Year:
2017-18
Photographer's affiliation:
Graduate student
Academic areas:
Arts and Science
Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs
Art of Research categories:
Invisible discoveries
Photo:
Categories:
PhD student/candidate
Faculty of Arts and Science
Department of Chemistry
School of Graduate Studies
Fundamental Principles of Nature: from Discovery to Application and Innovation
Sustainability, Environment and Resources
Location of photograph:
Chernoff Hall, Queen's University
Photographer's name:
Marshall Timmermans
Display Photographers Affiltion + Faculty or Department:
PhD Student, Chemistry