From disease-causing pathogens to microscopic workhorses of the laboratory, microbes have a remarkable knack for capturing scientific attention. Some microbes leave a lasting impression, whether for their unusual biology, their scientific significance, or simply the joy they inspire. Curious to know which microorganisms hold a special place in the hearts of researchers, The Scientist asked readers: What is your favorite microbe and why?
Microbes in the Final Frontier
Srivatsan Raman, Biochemist, University of Wisconsin-Madison
I'd have to say it's a microbe called Deinococcus radiodurans. It is a bug that is extremely resistant to radiation. You can bombard it with a ton of radiation, and it survives. It's pretty remarkable that it has acquired that property. As one starts thinking about long-term space travel, it'll be interesting to see if there are microbes that might survive in outer space despite being exposed to heavy radiation. So, that's a cool microbe.
Rosa Santomartino, Space Biologist and Biotechnologist, Cornell University
At the moment, it’s Ideonella sakaiensis, which is a plastic degrader. It was discovered 10 years ago, and it's been very well characterized by how it degrades plastic. In addition, one of my favorite fungi is Penicillium simplicissimum. Not only can it perform bioleaching and biomining, but we have also sent it to the International Space Station already. So, we know that it can extract metals from rocks in space, extract metals from electronic waste, and that it can degrade plastics.
Gut Microbes and Phages
Georgina Hold, Gut Microbiome Researcher, University of New South Wales Australia
I would have to say Campylobacter but not the ones that cause food poisoning: not C. jejuni or C. coli but the ones found in the lower gut. So, probably C. showae is my favorite because it allowed me to build a whole research program that was relevant to both inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. It's just been something that is really amazing.
James Kaper, Microbiologist, University of Maryland School of Medicine
My favorite is pathogenic Escherichia coli. It’s fascinating because it’s a well-studied commensal bacterial species that can also cause serious disease.
Clifford Clark, Retired Research Scientist, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada
I would choose C. jejuni and C. coli as related organisms. They are fascinating biologically and genetically, as well as human foodborne pathogens. There is published evidence that C. coli is the species from which C. jejuni arose through acquisition of genes that confer the ability to colonize animals that humans use for food, notably chickens, pigs, cattle, seafood, and others. The source of the genetic material for this and mechanism by which it was acquired are, as far as I know, currently unknown or at least not well characterized.
The overall impression I got from visual examination of the data I had, coupled with the findings of others in the literature, was that the C. cejuni/C. coli population may not be subject to strong natural selection, and may be free to acquire further variability. This might explain the extreme variability of these organisms found in public health investigations until recently. There is still a great deal to learn.
Albert Straub, Consultant, EENZEE LLC
Escherichia virus T4 bacteriophage is my favorite. I love it because of how people respond to it visually as well as in an animation as it detects an E. coli, dissolves its peptidoglycan layer, and transfers its DNA from its crystal shaped top. The viral moves its DNA down the tube and into the cell like a syringe. It hijacks the cell into reproducing it and then destroys the cell. Because of its alien appearance, rather than a sphere, rod, etcetera, I think it should be a poster child to explain how viruses operate and to explain why immunization is a good thing.
Nature’s Microbial Champions
Agustín López-Munguía, Industrial Biotechnologist, National Autonomous University of Mexico
Leuconostoc mesenteroides is my favorite. It has been working for us in lactic fermentation since the beginning of time without proper recognition.
Sergio Contreras-Liza, Agronomist, National University Jose Faustino Sanchez Carrion
I would choose Azospirillum for its atmospheric nitrogen fixation.
Eduardo Schroder, Consultant, RBHP Inc
Rhizobium is my microbial choice, because it is beneficial to plants and humans.
Rense Rozeboom, Medical Microbiologist, University Medical Center Groningen
Acinetobacter baumannii (formerly classified as Acinetobacter calcoaceticus), a former water bacterium, is now capable of surviving in dry surroundings such as ventilation shafts and can cause epidemics in hospitals by being naturally competent. It can harbor external DNA from its surroundings to gain new tools for survival.
Jean-Marie Frère, Emeritus Professor, University of Liège
My pick is Streptomyces! It will do anything for you, if you ask kindly.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
