Cyanobacteria

[Freedom]

For my Advanced Higher course at school, I have to complete a project, which is basically an investigation/experiment on anything of my choice. I've decided to do mine on cyanobacteria as I am fascinated by these micro-organisms, I can send away for a culture of them (Anabaena Sp.) but I am still unsure what exactly what I want to investigate or test, I'm not looking for anything too in-depth or complex. So any suggestions what I could do with my Cyanobacteria?

Thanks in advance

Freedom

[MrMistery]

Hm... You can do something about photosynthesis I guess. There are not many experiments you can do with cianobacteria outside a lab

[mith]

You can cook them and serve it to the class


j/k

[Winter]

This link goes to a page describing a project being carried out on cyanobacteria:

http://www.wellesley.edu/ScienceCenter/ ... jects.html

[MrMistery]

Effect of acid pH on cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria typically grows in alkaline waters. We are looking at the effect of acid stress on protein synthesis, growth and pigmentation. This project will involve 2D gel electrophoresis and proteomics as well as growth and biochemical analyses.

I could do that... I have some agarosis gel lying around... Can anybodyu lend me some etidium bromure?

[imran sajid]

u can make the slides and can show diagrams of the filaments of cyanobacteria also u can provide information how u collect them what is their natural habitat what is their economic importance their utilization for pollution control their nitrogen fixing abality etc
good luck
imran

[Freedom]

I think I might do something on cell differentiation into heterocysts in the cyanobacteria, and look at cell fate. I read about something called 'patS' which is a peptide that appears when the nitrogen levels of the area are very low and those bacterial cells that have large quantities of patS differentiate into heterocysts, which then secrete patS to the surrounding cells and inhibiting them from differentiating and this is how the reasonably equal spacing between heterocysts is achieved. Is this all correct? Also any more information on heterocyst formation would be appreciated.

Freedom

[AMF8]

i heard bacteria behave oddly or die if they are bombarded by ultra violet light

[MrMistery]

The sun's rays contain 9% UV light. But most of it sucked up by the ozon layer. Bacteria dies no sonner than you if exposed to UV

[Shanin]

You could investigate an effect of cyanotoxins. Theese are quite interesting.
You might find something useful at http://www.recetox.muni.cz . At least some useful links.

[MrMistery]

Correction on that, i don't know what i was thinking: bacteria dies much much sooner under UV light. We have skin

[Freedom]

Mr Mistery can you tell me about your signature, what do you mean "Just say UAG"? do you mean something to do with Uracil, adenine and Guanine?