Next up on ScientifInk! is the ink of Bradford Condon, a graduate student in the lab of Gillian Turgeon, professor of plant pathology and plant-microbe biology.

(Photo courtesy of Kent Loeffler)

Bradford’s research involves studying the fungal pathogen of corn, Cochliobolus heterostrophus, the genome of which was sequenced by the Turgeon Lab in collaboration with the Department of Energy’s Joint Genome Institute. This particular fungus is responsible for the disease known as Southern corn leaf blight. To reproduce, it develops eight DNA-bearing sexual spores, called ascospores, which are spiraled tightly in what is known as an ascus, a kind of cellular sac from which they are released in propagation. Bradford supplied us with this cool image from his research to illustrate what they look like:

As Bradford explained, achieving a goal on the road to his Ph.D. inspired his tattoo of an ascus.

“A large part of my thesis research utilizes classical genetics, where I collect and separate these beautiful spores. After passing my A exam, I had this tattoo done to celebrate the milestone.”

(Photo courtesy of Kent Loeffler)

As cool as this tattoo may be, it’s not done yet. Bradford plans to add illustrations of the individual ascospores to the piece after submitting his thesis. We can’t wait to see that!