How a Contaminated Agar Plate Led Microbiologists to Create the 'Noodlococcus' Online Community
By
Laura Tran, PhD
Summary
In 2019, PhD students and microbiologists at the University of Birmingham discovered an unusual noodle-like contaminant growing on an agar plate left on a lab bench. Rather than discarding it, they embraced the curiosity, identified the growth as a type of fungus, and shared their discovery online. The post went viral, leading to the creation of an online community called "Noodlococcus" that celebrates the beauty and humor in scientific contamination. The story highlights how unexpected lab accidents can foster creativity, community, and public engagement with microbiology.
Source
bskyHow a Contaminated Agar Plate Led Microbiologists to Create the 'Noodlococcus' Online Communitythe-scientist.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledFor a microbiologist, contamination in a nutrient broth tube or an agar plate is a nuisance. But sometimes, it's a sign to stop and metaphorically smell the bacterial roses.
This contaminant looked more like a noodle than a microbe—long, thin, and curiously structured.
What started as a lab accident turned into an unexpected celebration of the beauty of contamination.
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