In preparation for my major project, I returned to the chemistry laboratory and took some videos of the ultrasound bath. In the one below you can see that it is forcing two chemicals (styrene and potassium permanganate) to mix although they would not otherwise mix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWJqXg-93LM&feature=youtu.be I asked Dr. Leach if this powerful sound force … Continue reading Ultralife →

In researching how sound affects the human microbiome, I decided it would be beneficial to talk to someone who might have an idea about how that works on a molecular level, so I spoke with a computational chemist, Dr. Leach. After I described to him a bit about my research, he told me about some … Continue reading Bathing in Sound →

In my last post, I discussed some research that seemed to show bacteria can proliferate under the effects of some types of sound. Since then I have found that sound can also have the reverse affect: to inhibit bacterial growth. Specifically, the study I saw used a sound frequency to protect C. elegans (a type … Continue reading A Sonic Approach to Bacterial Infections →

I promise I will get to explaining the meaning of this post’s title, but first some updates on my research. The microbiologist I have recently collaborated with mentioned to me once that part of his research involves testing how sound frequencies affect microbial growth (as in, exposing bacteria and yeast to different vibrations may encourage … Continue reading Semi-Living Garbage Bag →

As it is nearing the end of the semester, I wanted to generate some artistic output from my SCOBY collaboration. The microbiologist I am collaborating with suggested I take a sample to the scanning electron microscope (SEM) lab. SEM scans a focused beam of electrons over the surface of a sample that has been coated … Continue reading Scanning Electron Microscope →

While researching possibilities of items to make out of my ever-growing supply of kombucha SCOBYs, I came across a biodesign and consultancy company called MakeGrowLab. Based in Poland, MakeGrowLab has developed various SCOBY products, including packaging and lamp shades. During a chat with a representative from MakeGrow, I learned that the company originally used kombucha … Continue reading Microbial Mosaics →

For my third and final post in my series on my trip to London and Oxford (read about my other experiences of the trip here and here), I will discuss the exhibition called Bacterial Worlds that was at the Oxford Natural History Museum. The exhibit focuses on uncovering the impact of the hidden worlds that … Continue reading Bacterial Worlds →

As I described in my previous post, my recent trip to Oxford and London was fruitful to my microbiome research. In this post I will describe the relevant art installation I saw at the Science Gallery London.   While in London, I saw the latest exhibit at the Science Gallery, Spare Parts, an exhibition informed … Continue reading Microbiome Rebirth Incubator →

Recently I had the opportunity to visit Oxford and London with my Art in Science cohort. Several parts of our time there contributed to my ongoing microbiome research and they were all displayed to the public in different ways, including a lecture, performance art, and a museum exhibit. In the following three posts I will … Continue reading The Gut-Brain Axis and How What We Eat Affects How We Feel →

It is time for me to take my practice to a professional scientist. After unsuccessfully attempting to get into contact with a scientist who is studying bacteria in the brain, my tutor managed to arrange a meeting for me with a microbiologist who has previously worked with a fashion student to grow a kombucha SCOBY … Continue reading Progress on Collaborations →