MicrobeABCs

Here you'll find the running tally of my microbeABCs Twitter project. Even though I have a Ph.D. in microbiology, there is A LOT that I don't know about the microbial world. Our microscopic friends (and foes) are always finding new ways to astonish me. I really enjoy using this Twitter project to explore strange new microbial worlds, to seek out new microbial life and communities. To boldly... right, you get the idea.


microbe nametweetdate
AcinetobacterAcinetobacter:common soil bact. Naturally competent=can take up DNA from outside environment and maybe use it to modify genome.5/31/13
BlochmanniaBlochmannia: bacteria w tiny genome (600 genes vs 4500 of E coli). Found only within the cells of carpenter ants (endosymbiont)6/1/13
CandidaCandida: yeast found on human skin, mucous membranes. Normally harmless (commensal) but can cause disease if immune-suppressed6/2/13
DeinococcusDeinococcus: hardy bacteria highly resistant to radiation. Can withstand >1000x level of ionizing radiation lethal for humans.6/3/13
EuglenaEuglena: photosynthetic protist. In the 1970s, NASA explored how to use Euglena for self-sufficient space stations.6/4/13
FrancisellaFrancisella tularensis: pathogenic bacterium. Grows inside human cells (intracellular). CDC high priority bioterrorism agent.6/5/13
GoniomonasGoniomonas: single-celled eukaryote found in both marine and freshwater environments. Microscopic predator that eats bacteria.6/6/13
HalomonasHalomonas: halophilic (salt-loving) bacteria. Grows in high salt environs (Dead Sea). Makes ectoine used in sunscreen/skin care6/7/13
IshikawaellaIshikawaella: bacterial symbiont of stinkbugs. Newly hatched stinkbugs get symbionts from capsule deposited by mom on egg mass6/8/13
JanthinobacteriumJanthinobacterium: bacteria found in soil, water and spoiled rabbit meat. Makes violet pigment that has antitumor activity6/10/13
KlebsormidiumKlebsormidium: filamentous algae found worldwide even Antarctic and Arctic. Highly resistant to freezing and dry conditions.6/12/13
ListeriaListeria: pathogenic bacteria causing foodborne illness listeriosis. In 2011, severe outbreak from contaminated cantaloupe.6/13/13
MyxococcusMyxococcus: bacteria. Prey on other bacteria in "wolf pack". When starved, form multicellular fruiting body to disperse spores.6/14/13
NeoparamoebaNeoparamoeba: marine unicellular eukaryote. Cause of gill disease in Atlantic salmon and lobster die-off in Long Island Sound6/15/13
OrnithinimicrobiumOrnithinimicrobium: bacteria found in wastewater treatment plant, mold-covered indoor wall and Indian Himalayas. Gets around! Ornithinimicrobium, part deux: Apparently also member of scorpion intestinal microbiota !!!6/16/13
ParatrichodorusParatrichodorus: nematode (roundworm). Punctures plant cells w tooth then secretes saliva, which hardens to form feeding tube6/18/13
Quinella ovalisQuinella ovalis: Large anaerobic bacterium found in rumen of sheep. Originally described in 1943 as "Quin's oval"6/20/13
RotavirusRotavirus: Causes severe diarrhea in kids. Infectious dose <100 particles. Globally almost every child has been infected by 5YO.6/21/13
Shewanella benthicaShewanella benthica: deep sea bacterium. Adapted to high pressure and extreme cold, in part due to membrane composition6/26/13
Thiomargarita namibiensisThiomargarita namibiensis: "sulfur pearl of Namibia". One of largest bacteria. Visible to naked eye. http://microwavesscience.blogspot.com/2011/03/matters-of-size.html …6/30/13
Ustilago maydisUstilago maydis: fungus infecting maize (corn smut). Young galls caused by fungus are common food item (huitlacoche) in Mexico7/1/13
VolvoxVolvox: green algae. Forms hollow spherical colonies. Moves by coordinating flagella. Some cells specialized for reproduction.7/2/13
Weeksella virosaWeeksella virosa: bacterial member of human microbiome. Colonizes mucous membranes. Most isolates so far from urogenital tract7/7/13
XanthomonasXanthomonas: bacterial plant pathogen. Used in industrial production of xanthan gum, a food thickener and cosmetic stabilizer7/15/13
YaniellaYaniella: halotolerant actinobacteria. Some species form orange colonies on plate. Isolated from coal mine, forest soil8/20/13

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