Forged in Yellowstone’s scorching hot springs, this resilient microbe learned to thrive where others could not. Their extraordinary ability to reproduce under extreme heat has transformed the science of the unseen. What began as a natural adaptation, became a tool for discovery, enabling scientists to read, investigate and better understand the genetic material shared across life on Earth.
Kary Mullis credited his earlier use of LSD for sparking the creativity that led to the invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 1983. PCR is a powerful technique that enables scientists and healthcare professionals to detect specific DNA or RNA molecules with great precision.
Brought to life by Nyx Fe’ral and Rebee Penrice-Randal
Brainstorming
Embodying a ‘hot geyser’: a symbol of Mullis’ vibrant, imaginative process that led to one of the most groundbreaking discoveries in molecular biology.
Behind the Scenes
Bacteria