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Image of Streptomyces coelicolor (center), which produces the blue antibiotic actinorhodin, inhibiting the growth of yellow Myxoccous xanthus colonies (periphery).
The Art of Biofilm Photography: From Petri Dish to Portrait
A microbiologist blends science and art to bring biofilms to life. His work, showcased in museums and books, captivates scientists and curious minds alike.
The Art of Biofilm Photography: From Petri Dish to Portrait
The Art of Biofilm Photography: From Petri Dish to Portrait

A microbiologist blends science and art to bring biofilms to life. His work, showcased in museums and books, captivates scientists and curious minds alike.

A microbiologist blends science and art to bring biofilms to life. His work, showcased in museums and books, captivates scientists and curious minds alike.

biofilm

Close up view of a border collie’s nose on a white background.
Dogs Engage in Scent-sational Science to Sniff out Staphylococcus Bacteria
Iris Kulbatski, PhD | Oct 3, 2024 | 5 min read
Researchers take the guesswork out of infection detection by training dogs to recognize the scent of bacterial biofilm biomarkers.
An illustration of lungs being infected by microbes.
Bacteria Put on an Invisibility Cloak to Cause Asymptomatic Infections 
Sahana Sitaraman, PhD | Aug 15, 2024 | 5 min read
Biofilms prevent Pseudomonas aeruginosa toxins from being detected by sensory neurons, tricking the body into not looking sick.
bacteria inside a biofilm
How Bacterial Communities Divvy up Duties
Holly Barker, PhD | Jun 1, 2023 | 10+ min read
Biofilms are home to millions of microbes, but disrupting their interactions could produce more effective antibiotics.
The Biofilm Life Cycle
Infographic: Stages of Biofilm Formation
Holly Barker, PhD | Jun 1, 2023 | 1 min read
Free-swimming bacteria settle on a surface to cooperate and form a protective biofilm.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm
Double Agents: Engineered Bacteria Tackle Pathogenic Biofilms in Mice
Katherine Irving | Jan 26, 2023 | 3 min read
Mycoplasma pneumoniae with pathogenic genes replaced by biofilm-degrading ones enhance survival in a mouse model of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Laser-Triggered Nanobubbles Blast a Path into Biofilms
Jonathan Wosen | Apr 1, 2020 | 4 min read
Researchers could one day use the method to deliver antibiotics to topical wounds infected by hard-to-treat masses of bacteria.
Paenibacillus swarms bacterial agar medium plate art
Image of the Day: Living Art
Chia-Yi Hou | Jul 12, 2019 | 1 min read
Swirls of bacteria form on an agar plate.
magnetic catalytic antibiotic microrobots biofilm scrub
Image of the Day: Micro Cleaners
Chia-Yi Hou | May 8, 2019 | 1 min read
Microrobots kill bacteria and clean surfaces covered in biofilm.
Fossilized Brains Called into Question, Might be Microbes
Abby Olena, PhD | Apr 11, 2018 | 4 min read
Authors of a new study suggest that 520-million-year-old structures, previously identified as the brains of ancient arthropods, are instead preserved microbial biofilms.
Image of the Day: Fungal Fireworks
The Scientist | Jun 26, 2017 | 1 min read
The fungus Aspergillus fumigatus begins to grow biofilms as it develops into a larger intertwined network.
Image of the Day: 3-Billion-Year-Old Bubbles 
The Scientist | May 10, 2017 | 1 min read
Fossilized gas bubbles, formed from being trapped by microbial biofilms, provide the oldest signature of life in terrestrial hot springs.
Stress, Bacteria Trigger Heart Attack?
Jef Akst | Jun 12, 2014 | 1 min read
A study implicates the breaking up of bacterial biofilms on fatty plaques in arteries as causing stroke or heart attack following stress.
Film Stars
Anna Azvolinsky | Jun 1, 2014 | 3 min read
Engineered bacteria can shape electricity-conducting nanowires.
Early Evidence
Abby Olena, PhD | Mar 1, 2014 | 2 min read
Fossilized structures suggest that mat-forming microbes have been around for almost 3.5 billion years.
Thwarting Persistence
Abby Olena, PhD | Nov 13, 2013 | 3 min read
Researchers show that activating an endogenous protease can eliminate bacterial persisters.
Live Wires
Mohamed Y. El-Naggar and Steven E. Finkel | May 1, 2013 | 10+ min read
Discoveries of microbial communities that transfer electrons between cells and across relatively long distances are launching a new field of microbiology.
Electric Microbe Hairs
Mohamed Y. El-Naggar and Steven E. Finkel | Apr 30, 2013 | 1 min read
USC researcher Mohamed El-Naggar demonstrates how some bacteria grow electrical wires that allow them to link up in big biological circuits.
Electron Shuffle
Mohamed Y. El-Naggar and Steven E. Finkel | Apr 30, 2013 | 1 min read
Shewanella bacteria generate energy for survival by transporting electrons to nearby mineral surfaces.
Bacterial Conduit
Mohamed Y. El-Naggar and Steven E. Finkel | Apr 30, 2013 | 1 min read
Desulfobulbaceae bacteria were recently discovered to form centimeter-long cables, containing thousands of cells that share an outer membrane.
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