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Researchers Create Microscopic 'Cages' To Study Bacterial Behavior

Posted by samzenpus on from the coccus-pokey dept.

First time accepted submitter Philip Ross writes "Scientists at the University of Texas looked at the interactions between bacteria in 3D-printed environments to better understand what makes some microbes resistant to antibiotics, something health officials have been warning us about for a long time. They used high-precision lasers to print multiple two-dimensional images, using a chip modified from a digital movie projector, onto a layer of flexible gelatin where bacteria were growing. As layers of protein were added to the gelatin, which contains photosensitive molecules that become aroused and bond together after being hit with a laser, they formed a tiny encasing around the bacteria."

13 comments

  1. Aroused? by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 1

    which contains photosensitive molecules that become aroused

    I thought the physics term for this is "excited", not "aroused". Unless they used some really pervy molecules there...

    --
    Ezekiel 23:20
    1. Re: Aroused? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Nope it's aroused. Lasers do it for me too.

    2. Re:Aroused? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      It makes them "bond together", so I guess "aroused" it the correct term.

    3. Re:Aroused? by RivenAleem · · Score: 1

      Red Laser Zone

  2. WTF by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Little monkey skulls? Really?

    I deal with bacterial daily, and spent my time in the lab growing the little buggers (pun intended). I'm at a loss as to why they are using these elaborate "cages" when a simple agar plate with channels to divide the plate can serve a similar purpose (and be less expensive).....Oh never mind....it's because they can.

    And yes, I read TFA. The resistance they cite is not a new phenomenon...nor is the transmission of antibiotic resistance. These are well documented, well known phenomenon.

    1. Re:WTF by X0563511 · · Score: 1

      ... maybe because they want to study the behavior of an individual bacterium, and not a whole fucking colony?

      --
      For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
    2. Re:WTF by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I read this as an answer for the coment "Aroused" and it got a whole new meaning.

  3. Obligatory by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty scientists!

  4. Why? by sabbede · · Score: 2, Funny

    I don't see how this will grow hair or prolong erections. Why are we bothering?

    1. Re:Why? by Lithdren · · Score: 1

      That's the trick. This does both, sadly neither where you might expect it to.

  5. Great, soon they'll be asking for legal rights by Joshua+Fan · · Score: 1

    Like presumption of innocence, trial by jury, and habeas corpus.

  6. Bacteria DRM? by grep+-v+'.*'+* · · Score: 1

    interactions between bacteria ... used high-precision lasers ... using a chip modified from a digital movie projector

    This is just so difficult to understand -- so what you're saying is that they've used movie technology to successfully implant DRM in bacteria?

    --
    If the universe is someone's simulation -- does that mean the stars are just stuck pixels?