This is the palette of naturally pigmented bacteria that I collected and prepared for a Wellcome Trust project with artist JoWonder. Jo painted a living interpretation of John Millais’ famous painting “Ophelia” http://www.underthemicroscope.com/blog/artist-paints-ophelia-using-bacteria using this palette of living colour. Beyond, their colour each pigment is also unique in its inherent characterisitcs. For example, some species are aggressive and will seek to dominant the others, whilst others adopt effective defensive strategies.
Exploring The Invisible
Works from a Liberal Scientist/Artist that reveal the hidden machinations of the natural world
Wow this is so amazing and exactly what I have been looking for. Sir, I am a student of biotechnology, D Y Patil University, India. I am currently researching on isolation of various pigmented bacteria as part of my project. Sir can you please provide me help with the isolation of prominent colored bacteria like the red (Seratia spp.) & purple (Chromobacteria spp.). It would be really great of you. My email Id: tusharroy3993@gmail.com
Thanks for this Tushar. It’s relatively easy to isolate naturally pigmented bacteria from a variety of environments using simple bacteriological media like nutrient agar. Please see the end of this link. :http://exploringtheinvisible.com/2015/07/17/the-microgeographical-process-2/
C. violaceum is quite common in soil and S. marcescens common as a red stain in damp bathrooms etc. Best wishes, Simon
Thank you so much for the reply!
hi, it’s really interesting to see so many pigmented bacteria being isolated and used in art, i was wondering about the bacteria in the picture (last row, second from the right). can i know what bacteria is that?
Thanks for this Anysia. The green coloured bacterium is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Best wishes, Simon