Misunderstood Microbes

Here’s an interesting read by Katie Harrington, Lab Assistant at the Friday Harbor Labs Seagrass Lab…

Collecting field samples – FHL photo

In a culture seemingly gripped by an antibacterial fervor, where the very mention of a microbe might bring a handshake to a grinding halt, perhaps we should think again about the zeitgeist that vilifies these microorganisms.

Globally, pockets of researchers, engineers, and design firms continue to prove that some bacteria might just be the heroes of our time.

Researchers have identified bacteria that create energy and others that fight threats both to human health and the environment. Bacteria are now used to turn food scraps and dairy industry byproducts into biofuel, to remove heavy metals from acid mining drainage, and to clean oil spills. Bacteria have been proposed as a solution to desertification in the African Sahara, and explored for treating cancer (Sagar et al. 2013) and fighting anthrax (Jang et al. 2013). Strains that can breakdown plastic have even been found in Canada’s Fraser River.

Click to read the rest of the story at FHL Tide Bites

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