A Small Difference Led to a Big Discovery (IMAGE)

Washington University in St. Louis

A Small Difference Led to a Big Discovery

Caption

The two strains of bacteria hitching a ride on a D. Discoideum clone belonged to the same species but they plated out differently. One formed colonies with smooth edges and the other formed colonies with bumpy edges. This observation eventually led to the discovery that one was edible and the other produced defensive chemicals. The D. discoideum travels well-equipped.

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Debra Brock

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