Jesus Fernandez-Rodriguez et. al

Escherichia coli, or more commonly known as E.coli, is a large and diverse group of bacteria. Most strains are harmless, others are responsible for illness and infection. But never before have they been quite so artistic.

A group of synthetic biologists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has created genetically modified E.coli that can sense and replicate coloured light. The team, led by Christopher Voigt, engineered the E.coli to sense RBG light – colours that are red, green and blue. When they sense this light, they produce a pigment matching the corresponding colour. The result is a variety of 'paintings' created by the bacteria that takes up to 18 hours for an image to fully develop. The E.coli, adapted with a protein from light-sensing cyanbacterium, have 18 genes and mimic the biological light sensors found in plants and fungi.


Jesus Fernandez-Rodriguez et. al

Since RGB light exists on different wavelengths, the colours process in a myriad ways. Red light manifests from a hybrid kinase sensitive gene, at a wavelength of 705nm. Green light is picked up by a cyanobacterium gene at 535nm. Blue light is projected and replicated by another hybrid kinase gene, at a wavelength of 470nm. When these wavelengths come together under certain lights, the bacteria begin to change their colour to mimic the image presented.

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But what artwork should light-sensitive bacteria mimic? A rudimentary copy of the Mona Lisa? Coloured shapes? No. When science gives you a group of genetically engineered, hybrid bacteria, you need to choose an image of persistence, of human ingenuity. Of course, you pick Mario.

Jesus Fernandez-Rodriguez et. al


In a range of green and red colours, it's clear the bacteria can create an eerily accurate replica of certain pictures. They even capture the specific lines of pixels.

Jesus Fernandez-Rodriguez et. al

But Mario isn't the only image the E.coli have been able to create – they have also developed a lizard pattern and, as all art students must, a selection of fruit.

Jesus Fernandez-Rodriguez et. al

Dr. Voigt's project began in 2005 when his team devised a gene system to allow microbes to re-create black and white images. This new level of gene programming has incredible potential in terms of practical applications. It could one day be used to turn many types of gene on and off in bacteria, using flashes of light in different colours. Scientists could then make bacteria produce more complex molecules on-demand by using light to stop and start chemical reactions.


Jesus Fernandez-Rodriguez et. al

The new project “goes way beyond the original black and white system in terms of complexity”, says Pamela Silver, a systems biologist at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts.

With this new development, Voigt has now decided upon an appropriately vibrant name for his light-sensitive systems: disco bacteria.