Ice-Nucleating Proteins (IMAGE) American Institute of Physics Caption Ice seeding bacteria use specialized proteins to grow ice crystals at warmer than freezing temperatures to attack plant cells. German researchers have observed how these proteins capture and arrange surrounding liquid water into an ice lattice and initiate crystal growth. The image illustrates this manipulation of liquid water by an ice nucleating protein. Credit Tobias Weidner, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research 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.