See how synthetic biologist Tal Danino is giving a whole other meaning to the term “petri dish” by combining art and science

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

L.A. native Tal Danino is no stranger to science. In fact, with B.S. degrees in physics, chemistry, and math from the University of California, a Ph.D in bioengineering from the Systems Biodynamics Laboratory at the University of California in San Diego, and a current position as a postdoctoral fellow at The Rockefeller University in New York City, Danino is more of a science expert. But not only does Danino have a knack for all things science, he also has a flair for art.

After meeting Brazilian artist and photographer, Vik Muniz at MIT, the duo became interested in making art out of bacteria and cancer cells. The result is a series called Colonies where Muniz and Danino combine their talents to produce fascinating pieces of art inspired by biological materials like bacteria and cells. Included in Colonies are dinner plates made by the esteemed French porcelain brand, Bernardaud that feature the fractural patterns made by certain bacterial species. In other words, images of the patterns created by Paenibacillus and Salmonella (also known as the bacteria that causes typhoid fever, food poisoning, and bacteremia) are placed onto dishes. The bacteria images prove to be striking in their unique colors and configurations - so much so that you forget that you’re eating off of a plate designed with the bacterium that causes food poisoning. If you don’t believe that bacteria can be so beautiful, take a look at our gallery of Danino and Muniz’s “Petri” dishes sold exclusively at Bernardaud.