Dr. Sarah Wettstadt is the founder of the BacterialWorld blog and loves sharing about bacteria and the amazing things they do in the world. So I know you’ll enjoy hearing this episode where we talk about the superpowers bacteria have and how bacteria can help us save the world.
In this episode, you will learn about…
- 4 bacterial superpowers
- 3 ways bacteria can help save the planet
- How bacteria impact our daily lives
- Why not all microbes are bad
Listen to my episode with Dr. Sarah Wettstadt (BacterialWorld)
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Bacterial superpowers
Because bacteria have so many incredible abilities, Sarah decided to write a series on BacterialWorld about their many “superpowers.”
- Bacteria can follow the Earth’s magnetic field
Certain bacteria have the ability to align with a magnetic field. They produce iron crystals (clumps of iron) that align in a chain. When these chains in the cells align to a magnetic field, the whole bacterium also aligns to the magnetic field, making them face a specific direction, like north to south. (Link to BacterialWorld post.)
- Bacteria help make chocolate taste good
The wonderful flavor of chocolate results from the microbial fermentation of cocoa beans that are processed to make this delicious treat. (Link to BacterialWorld post.)
- Bacteria can move toward things they want
Some bacteria have a property called chemotaxis that lets them know where they’re going. So, they can move toward or away from things like food or toxins. (Link to BacterialWorld post.)
- Bacteria make their own type of “superglue”
The bacterium Caulobacter crescentus produces its own type of “superglue,” so it can attach to any surface very tightly and not be moved. For example, this “superglue” prevents it from being washed away by currents. (Link to BacterialWorld post.)
How bacteria can save the planet
Another series Sarah wrote on BacterialWorld is called “how bacteria can save the planet.”
- Bacteria can degrade plastic
Plastic waste is a massive problem for our planet, so we need solutions. And researchers found that certain types of bacteria can degrade plastic with enzymes that work like scissors to break down plastic molecules. Plastic degradation usually takes a long time: according to Sarah’s blog, a grocery bag can take 10 to 20 years to break down and 100 to 450 years for plastic bottles. (Link to BacterialWorld post.)
- Bacteria can clean up toxic messes
Bacteria can clean up chemical or oil spills through a process called bioremediation, where they eat the toxic metals or oil. (Link to BacterialWorld post.)
- Microbial nanowires could be a green solution for electronic waste
Electronic waste is another problem for our planet because we rely heavily on computers and other technology. But researchers found some bacteria can produce “microbial nanowires,” which are long protein fibers that can transport electrons like electric cables do. The exciting part is that certain bacteria can degrade these cables, thereby providing a way to dispose of them and making it a green solution. (Link to BacterialWorld post.)
Links & Resources
This post contains affiliate links — see my disclosure policy.
- The Perfect Predator by Steffanie Strathdee (book)
- Deadly Companions by Dorothy H. Crawford (book)
- I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong (book)
- Life in extreme locations: Dr. Adrienne Kish (previous podcast episode)
- Using viruses to battle superbugs (phage therapy): Dr. Jessica Sacher
- (previous podcast episode)
- Free Guide: 7 Ways to Enjoy Microbes in Your Daily Life (PDF Guide)
Connect with Dr. Sarah Wettstadt
Dr. Sarah Wettstadt is a microbiologist-turned science writer and communicator that works on various outreach projects and helps researchers talk and write about their scientific results. Her vision is to empower through learning: she shares scientific knowledge with scientists and non-scientists as well as coaches scientists on how to write more effectively about their research. Sarah is blog commissioner for FEMSmicroBlog and was a social media editor for FEMS for 1.5 years. Previous to her science communication career, she completed a postdoc in Marían Llamas’ lab on Pseudomonas aeruginosa’s ability to use heterologous iron sources and a PhD with Alain Filloux investigating the type 6 secretion system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Connect with Dr. Sarah Wettstadt: BacterialWorld, Microbial Communications, @DrBommel (Twitter), @BacterialWorld (Twitter), and LinkedIn.
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