Microbes A - Z

Autotrophs are the world's primary producers. They convert inorganic carbon sources (usually carbon dioxide) into organic carbon that is usable for all other life as a source of building blocks and energy.

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms that stick to surfaces and are encased in a slimy substance made up of extracellular polymers.

Chemolithotrophs use energy from inorganic chemical reactions to power their cells. Chemolithotrophs are often also autotrophs and thus are able to both fix carbon and utilize chemical reactions for energy.  Chemolithotrophs are common in extreme environments.

Dinoflagellates are a group of photosynthetic marine plankton that play key roles in coral reef health, bioluminescence, and red tides. Dinoflagellates form endosymbiotic relationships with coral polyps and produce organic carbon to help provide food for the reef, which provides a stable home.

Escherichia coli (aka E. coli) are gut bacteria that are known to cause disease when ingested. They help break down nutrients for maximum absorption in our intestines and are excreted in feces. E. coli are also the workhorses of microbiology laboratories.

Ferroplasma is a genus of the domain Archaea and are acidophilic iron oxidizers. They are pleomorphic, meaning they can appear in a variety of shapes. Ferroplasma are common to sites with acid mine drainage.

G. stearothermophilus is a thermophile that is used as a biological indicator for sterilization in autoclaves. G. stearothermophilus produces heat-resistant spores and inactivation via autoclavation indicates complete sterilization.

Halobacterium is a genus of halophilic (salt-loving) Archaea that is common to volcanic environments like alkaline salt lakes. The red pigment produced by this algae is used for photosynthesis and when consumed by flamingos, produces their distinct pink plumage.

Ignicoccus (dark sphere) is a genus of hyperthermophilic Archaea that have teeny tiny symbionts called Nanoarchaea (light gray spheres). These organisms live in hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor and perform sulfur reduction.

Janthinobacteria are cold-tolerant, UV-resistant bacteria that produce a violet pigment called violacein. Violacein has numerous benefits including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antioxidant activities.

Korarchaeota are a candidate phylum within Archaea that consist of filamentous cells. Korarchaeota are hyperthermophiles that can be found in hot springs and hydrothermal vents.

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic gut  and vaginal community bacterium that is used in yogurt production. L. acidophilus provides protection against other microbes and thus has a mutualistic relationship with humans.

Yersinia pestis is the bacterium that is responsible for the bubonic plague, among others. It is transmitted through bites of infected fleas from rodents. Plague is treatable with antibiotics.

Zetaproteobacteria are iron oxidizing bacteria that form iron mats in high-iron, low-oxygen environments. Mariprofundus ferrooxydans is a Zeta that produces long, twisted stalks that become entangled and aid in production of fluffy mats on the seafloor.

Deinococcus radiodurans, or "Conan the Bacterium", is not an extremophile, yet it can withstand some of the harshest conditions on Earth (and Space!) Its name translates to "strange berry that withstands radiation", the hallmark of this organism. The magic of this organism lies in its DNA structure and replication strategy.