Dr. Edwards’ research interests include the role of microorganisms in mediating the rates and mechanisms of rock, mineral, and organic matter transformations, and in particular the effects of bacterial films on rocks. This talk was about the discovery of bacteria responsive to the earth’s magnetic field, their abundance and behavior, their ecological niches and importance. Included was a demonstration of how to isolate magnetotactic bacteria from a local marsh and stimulate them to move directionally in response to an external magnetic field. Web-based Resources American Society for Microbiology (web pages on different microbes) Michigan State University web site, "Microbes in the News" Michigan State University Microbe Zoo Microbe Zoo — curious microbe piece on magnetotactic bacteria Utah Elementary Science Teacher Resource Book, 6th grade level and background and experiments with microorganisms, and intended outcomes Woodrow Wilson Teachers Activity on Magnetotactic Bacteria and Natural Selection Dr. John F. Stolz, Hunt for Magnetotactic Bacteria Marine Biological Laboratory (information on microbes with magnetotactic bacteria to come) Magnetic Microbes, from the Digital Learning Center for Microbial Ecology Spirilla and Magnetospirillum Magnetite in Freshwater Magnetotactic Bacteria Magnetotactic Bacteria Magnetotactic Bacteria Investigating the Uses of Backyard Bacteria, from Access Excellence @ the national Health Museum Earth's Magnetic Field (Magnetosphere), from NASA Studying Living Organisms: Using Magnetotactic Bacteria to Study Natural Selection, from Access Excellence @ the National Health Museum Last updated: January 9, 2013 | |||||||||||||
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