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Microbial art, also known as agar art, stands out distinctly from conventional art forms. This is primarily because it employs living, breathing organisms as its medium, with petri dishes serving as the canvas. Originally cultivated by scientists in laboratories, these unique creations have now gained popularity among the public through workshops and DIY kits.
The outcome is a collection of vivid and striking images that are both visually captivating and scientifically enlightening. However, this art form comes with inherent risks, necessitating strict safety measures, such as the prompt disposal of these microbial masterpieces after their creation.
While some argue that the potential hazards should deter hobbyists from participating, others see this fusion of art and science as a groundbreaking way to unite people. Dive deeper to explore the fascinating yet perilous world of bacterial artistry.
10. Essential Supplies for Microbial Art
Similar to conventional painting, crafting a microbial masterpiece demands specific materials. Essential items include an artistic tool (like a paintbrush, wooden stick, or platinum loop), live bacterial strains, nutrient-rich antibiotic powder, and agar. Widely recognized by culinary enthusiasts and microbiologists, agar is a gelatinous, white substance derived from red algae. While it’s popular in cooking, particularly for desserts, microbiologists value it for its ability to thicken and stabilize. When combined with nutrients, agar forms a solid surface ideal for culturing and studying bacteria—or transforming them into breathtaking art.
“Agar art involves using this jelly-like medium to cultivate pigmented microbes, skillfully arranging them into intricate designs and patterns. This practice seamlessly merges the realms of art and science with the simple stroke of a brush.”
9. Crafting Art with Bacteria
Creating microbial art is straightforward in concept—requiring just two steps—but executing it is far from simple.
The initial step entails blending agar and nutrient-enriched antibiotic powder (often containing peptone, yeast extract, and sodium chloride) with water in a glass jar. This mixture is sterilized in an autoclave at 250°F (121°C) for 30 minutes, emerging hot and liquid. It is then poured into a petri dish, covered, and left to solidify for an hour. Afterward, the dish is inverted and allowed to dry for 24 hours.
During the second step, selected bacterial strains are applied to a sterilized loop (brush or stick) and carefully painted onto the agar surface one at a time. Since colors only become visible after a day, a sketch is often placed beneath the petri dish for guidance. Once painted, the dish is left to dry, sealed, and incubated for 24 hours. Following this, it rests at room temperature for an additional 48 hours. (Timing varies based on the bacteria used.) The process concludes with photographing the final artwork.
8. Vibrant Bacterial Pigments
Microbial art doesn’t always yield predictable results. Occasionally, one bacterium may release chemicals that inhibit another from producing its intended color. Understanding each bacterium’s behavior individually and in groups is crucial. To address this, some scientists have turned to genetically engineering microbes to produce specific colors, offering greater control and diversity in their artistic creations.
Similarly, Frederick Hammes, a microbiologist at Eawag, a prominent aquatic research institute in Zurich, Switzerland, began incorporating powdered charcoal into agar to achieve a black background, his preferred choice. This isn’t Hammes’ only innovation; he has since advanced to creating 3D agar art that extends beyond the petri dish, resembling intricate sculptures.
7. Potential Hazards to Consider
These unique living artworks can be breathtaking, but if mishandled, they pose significant risks. Pathogens, bacteria capable of causing diseases, present serious dangers to microbial artists, including contamination and the potential spread of illnesses to the public.
Although less than 1% of microbes are harmful, some within this small fraction can be lethal. Certain microbes are responsible for infectious diseases, chronic non-infectious conditions, specific cancers, and coronary heart disease. They manifest as viruses, bacteria, protozoans (single-celled organisms), and fungi, all of which threaten public health.
Infectious diseases caused by microbes include the common cold, chickenpox, German measles, whooping cough, bubonic plague, tuberculosis, influenza, malaria, ringworm, pneumonia, and bone infections.
6. Microbial Art Comes with a Limited Lifespan
Bacteria are nearly invisible during the painting process. Their colors only develop after 24-48 hours, but once fully grown, they remain vivid for months. As the colors fade, the artwork must be safely destroyed in an autoclave, which uses pressurized steam to eliminate all bacteria. This critical safety measure prevents antibiotics from entering the environment, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.
This is just one of many stringent safety measures essential for agar art. When handling bacteria, wearing a lab coat, protective eyewear, and gloves is mandatory. Open-toed shoes are forbidden, and workspaces are always equipped with bleach spray bottles and paper towels. These precautions have raised concerns about amateur microbiologists who have taken up the craft.
Kevin Brown, curator of the Alexander Fleming Laboratory in London, elaborates: “Creating these artworks requires the expertise of a bacteriologist as much as the creativity of an artist. Amateurs working with bacteria could endanger themselves and the broader community.”
5. The Pioneer of Microbial Art
Microbial art originated from the ingenuity of Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming (1881–1955), leading to a groundbreaking discovery. An amateur watercolorist, Fleming began experimenting with living organisms as his medium [LINK 8]. While the inspiration behind his microbial paintings remains unclear, some speculate it stemmed from his work at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, where he treated syphilis patients, many of whom were painters who may have exchanged art lessons for medical care.
Fleming delighted in discovering new bacterial strains and incorporating them into his palette for their vibrant colors. His unusual hobby did more than amuse; it revolutionized medicine. One day, he noticed an unusual “lighter body” on a piece resembling a night sky. Upon closer examination, he observed that bacteria surrounding this foreign body were dying. It was identified as the Penicillium fungus, which produces penicillin—the world’s first antibiotic, saving countless lives.
4. A Yearly Agar Art Competition
The American Society of Microbiology (ASM) launched its first annual microbial art contest in 2015. Since then, winners from around the globe have crafted stunning images of nearly everything imaginable—ranging from peacocks and dandelions to portraits of beloved microbiologists—all created using microbes.
The competition welcomes participants from all walks of life: scientists, artists, non-artists, and even children. Community labs host public workshops featuring bioengineered microbes, a safer option for beginners. At-home kits are also available, enabling anyone to prepare agar and cultivate their own bacterial masterpieces. Winners are awarded up to $200 and have their artwork showcased permanently on the ASM’s website.
3. Infinite Creative Opportunities
While many contest entries focus on themes like science, space, nature, and animals, the possibilities with microbial art are limitless. Artists have achieved remarkably accurate recreations of iconic paintings, such as Van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Edvard Munch’s The Scream, as well as portraits of notable figures. In 2019, a depiction of Ruth Bader Ginsburg shared second place. Even Nintendo’s Mario and M.C. Escher’s tessellations have been brought to life, blending art with mathematics.
Some microbial artworks are purely whimsical. For instance, one Valentine’s-themed piece playfully asked a special someone to “be my microbe,” while another featured glow-in-the-dark bioluminescent bacteria (Photobacterium leiognathi). The latter doubled as a birthday card and nightlight for a microbiologist’s daughter during her summer camp stay.
Regardless of their theme or intent, agar art conveys a powerful message about microbes that traditional scientific communication often struggles to express. As microbiologist David Westenberg puts it: “Bacteria have existed since the dawn of life, evolving over billions of years to inhabit every niche on Earth. They play vital roles in our environment and health… We need not fear them but rather respect their significance.”
2. Bridging Science and Art
Microbial art has transformed scientists into artists—and artists into scientists. Maria Peñil Cobo, a mixed-media artist, is among the first non-scientists to embrace this unique medium. For nearly 15 years, she has honed her skills in cultivating vibrant bacteria and crafting stunning microbial artworks under the guidance of Mehmet Berkman, Ph.D., a scientist at New England Biolabs in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
While Peñil often draws inspiration from nature, her creativity knows no bounds. One of her pieces was created using bacteria from her lips after kissing a petri dish—a technique also employed by Swiss microbiologist Hammes, who isolates bacteria from the soles of his feet. Peñil has even crafted remarkable art from the germs growing on her house key.
Peñil and Berkman secured first place and the Popular People’s Choice award in the 2015 Agar Art competition. Berkman highlights the unique connection between science and art fostered by microbial art, exemplified by their collaboration. “Science always carries an artistic element, and while Maria focuses on pure art, there’s a scientific aspect to what we observe. We’re witnessing scientific phenomena.”
1. Bacteria Are More Than Meets the Eye
A primary goal of the Agar Art contest is to highlight the often-overlooked beauty and diversity of microbes. David Westenberg, a microbiologist and professor of biological studies for over 27 years, elaborates:
“Many people associate bacteria with negativity—illness or unpleasantness—but as a microbiologist, I know most bacteria are harmless and often beneficial. However, we must remain cautious, as harmful bacteria exist, and distinguishing between them isn’t always straightforward.”
Westenberg is among those who believe this unique art form has the power to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together, fostering a deeper understanding and a respectful awareness of the organisms that have shaped—and continue to shape—our world.
