Iridescent bacteria in unexpected places

Iridescent bacteria in unexpected places

A recent study in PNAS uncovers how bacteria form colorful, iridescent colonies without pigments. Through genetic analysis and machine learning, researchers including UBC members identified specific genes responsible for this phenomenon and mapped its distribution across diverse environments, including deep ocean depths. The findings could lead to sustainable innovations, using bacteria to create eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic dyes, contributing to a greener future in materials science.

"This really shows the power of machine learning to predict biological functions from very complex genetic data."

UBC PI Aldert Zomer

Read more on the website of Utrecht University. 

(Image: Colin Ingham, Hoekmine BV)

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