How to Create Agar Art with Living Microbes

Summary

In this tutorial, Memo Burkman, a research scientist, and Maria Pil, a multimedia artist, demonstrate the process of creating bacterial art. They guide viewers through the preparation of agar plates, sterilization procedures, and the use of genetically engineered or naturally colorful bacteria to create intricate designs. The duo emphasizes safety, the importance of knowing your bacteria, and the techniques for controlling bacterial growth to produce vibrant, detailed artwork. The video concludes with tips for photographing the art and submitting it for contests, offering a unique blend of science and creativity.

Takeaways

• 😀 A proper safety protocol is essential when working with bacteria, including wearing a lab coat, protective eyewear, gloves, and avoiding open-toed shoes.
• 😀 To prepare the agar, mix 15 grams of agar powder, 10 grams of peptone, 5 grams of yeast extract, and 5 grams of sodium chloride with water, sterilize in an autoclave, and cool it to the right temperature before use.
• 😀 Once the agar is prepared, pour it into petri dishes, let it solidify for about an hour, and dry it for a day to prevent condensation.
• 😀 When working with bacteria for artistic purposes, ensure that they are either genetically engineered for color or naturally colorful, like Xanthomonas, to ensure safety and desired visual effects.
• 😀 Environmental bacterial isolates can be used for art, but they should be properly sequenced and identified to avoid working with potentially harmful species.
• 😀 Special brushes, such as platinum loops, are used to handle bacteria, with different loops suited for different tasks (larger loops for surface coverage, smaller loops for detailed work).
• 😀 The artist demonstrates a process for drawing a dandelion using bacteria by sterilizing the loop, applying bacteria in specific patterns, and allowing it to grow at controlled temperatures.
• 😀 Different bacteria grow at different rates, so understanding the bacteria's properties allows artists to control the speed and appearance of their art.
• 😀 Incubating the bacterial art at 37°C for 24 hours and then letting it sit at room temperature for another 48 hours helps achieve the desired growth for the piece.
• 😀 Photography is a key part of showcasing the bacterial art, and it is important to experiment with lighting conditions, such as using a lightbox or natural light, to capture the best image before submitting it to competitions.

Q & A

What is the purpose of sterilizing the agar before pouring it into the trays?

Sterilizing the agar ensures that it is free of any unwanted microbes that could interfere with the growth of the bacteria you plan to use for the art. The sterilization process, which involves autoclaving, kills off any contaminating organisms.

Why is it important to let the molten agar cool for 30 minutes to an hour before pouring it into plates?

Allowing the molten agar to cool ensures that it reaches a safe temperature where it is comfortable to handle and will not burn you. It also helps prevent the agar from being too runny, which could distort your art when poured into the petri dishes.

How do you know when the agar is ready to be poured into petri dishes?

The agar is ready to be poured when it is no longer scalding hot but is still warm enough to maintain its liquid form. The correct temperature is when it is uncomfortable to touch but not dangerously hot.

What type of bacteria can be used to create bacterial art?

You can use genetically engineered bacteria like E. coli that produce chromogenic proteins for colorful effects. Additionally, naturally colorful bacteria like *Xanthomonas* or environmental isolates can be used, though the latter require caution and proper identification to ensure they are safe.

Why is it risky to use environmental isolates without proper identification?

Environmental isolates could potentially be pathogenic, meaning they could be harmful to humans. Without proper identification and safety measures, there is a risk of working with bacteria that could cause illness or other hazards.

What kind of safety precautions should be taken when handling the bacteria for the art project?

It is essential to wear a lab coat, gloves, and protective eye gear. You should also avoid wearing open-toed shoes and ensure that any bacteria being used is safely handled, particularly when dealing with environmental isolates or genetically engineered organisms.

What is the role of the platinum loop in making bacterial art?

The platinum loop is used to transfer and manipulate bacteria on the agar surface. Different sizes of loops are used for varying levels of detail, with larger loops for broad strokes and finer loops for intricate details.

What steps should you follow to sterilize the loop before using it?

To sterilize the loop, heat it using a flame until it is red-hot, ensuring that any bacteria or contaminants on the loop are killed. After sterilization, let the loop cool briefly before collecting bacteria for your art.

How do you ensure the bacteria will grow at the correct rate for your art?

You must understand the growth conditions of the specific bacteria you are using, as different bacteria grow at different rates and temperatures. By controlling the incubation temperature and time, you can influence the appearance and development of the bacterial art.

What is the importance of using a lightbox for photographing bacterial art?

A lightbox helps control the lighting conditions and enhances the visibility of the bacterial art by allowing you to adjust the intensity and angle of light. This ensures that your photos highlight the details and colors of the bacterial artwork effectively.