Why is serratia marcescens commonly used in science experiments?

Answer 1

Because; Let me specify;Serratia marcescens is a motile,short rod-shaped, Gram-negative, facultative anaerobe bacterium, classified as an opportunistic pathogen. It was discovered in 1819 by Bartolomeo Bizio in Padua, Italy. Bizio named the genus Serratia in honor of and Italian physicist named Serratia, and chose marcescens for the species name after the Latin word for decay [3]. Serratia marcescens was first thought to be harmless (non-pathogenic). Due to its ability to produce red pigmentation, it was first used in 1906 as a marker in order to trace bacterial activity or transmission [4]. It was not until later in the 1950's that the US government experimented with the Serratia marcescens and the harmful affects that the bacteria causes were revealed. A study using Serratia marcescenswas carried out to determine the possibility of biological weapons being transmitted by wind current. In the famous "Operation Sea Spray" the US Army filled balloons with Serratia marcescens and exploded them over San Fransisco. Serratia marcescenswas chosen because it was easily tracked due to its pigment production. However,there was an increase in the number of pneumonia and urinary tract infections [1] reported in the region shortly after the experiment was conducted . Although Serratia marcescens was classified as a human pathogen in the 1960s, scientist still used it as a bacterial tracer well into the 1970s [10].

Optimally, Serratia marcescens grows at 37°C, but it can grow in temperatures that range from 5-40°C. They grow in pH levels that range from 5 to 9 [14].Serratia marcescens is well known for the red pigmentation it produces called prodigiosin. Prodigiosin is made up of three pyrrole rings [15] and is not produced at 37°C, but at temperatures below 30°C [20]. The red pigment production is not present in all strains but in those that it is present, it can resemble blood [10]. This and the fact that Serratia marcescens typically grows on bread and communion wafers stored in moist places, has led scientists to suggest Serratia contamination as a possible explanation for transubstantiation miracles (the conversion of bread to the body and blood of Christ). For example, the story of the Miracle of Bolsena states that, in 1263, a priest with doubts of Christ's presence in the consecrated Host presided over a mass in the Basilica of Bolsena. After speaking the words of consecration, blood began to drip from the consecrated Host onto his hands and the altar [1]. This event was depicted by Raphael on the walls of the Vatican [19].