Cyanobacteria in gypsum (IMAGE) University of California - Irvine Caption Microorganisms (highlighted in green) colonize gypsum rock (highlighted in purple) to extract water from it. UCI and Johns Hopkins researchers ran lab experiments to understand the survival mechanisms of these cyanobacteria, confirming that they transform the material they occupy to an anhydrous state. Credit David Kisailus / UCI Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.