What is everybody's favorite bug? Mine is
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, who doesn't love the pseudo smell in the morning? One of the main reasons it is my favorite is that it is such a versatile organism that thrives in many locations. Also, fact that it secretes a wide variety of pigments like Pyocyanin. Pyocyanin is a redox-active virulence factor produced by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa that allows it to kill cells, disrupts cilia actions, inhibit lymphocyte proliferation, and alter phagocytic function. (
P.aeruginosa can also preoduce fluorescein, and pyorubin.) The following pic shows growth on BHI with a pyocyanin producing
P.aeruginosa on the left and a negative control on the right.
One of the other coolest features about
P.aeruginosa is that it is capable of growing in diesel fuel and jet fuel, which is known as a hydrocarbon-utilizing microrganism. Definately has some future applications as we take a steer towards a greener society! So let everyone know what your favorite bug is!
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