Menzies Art Gallery of Scientific Discovery
Burkholderia savannae
Year: 2022
Medium: Acrylic on canvas, digital image
This painting represents the scientific discovery of the novel bacterium, Burkholderia savannae, by researchers at Menzies School of Health Research.
The bacterium is shown growing on an agar plate in the centre of the painting. Surrounding the agar plate are shapes representing the people of the scientific community involved in the discovery of this organism. The three biggest shapes are the researchers at Menzies: Mark Mayo, Mirjam Kaestli, and Bart Currie.
Enveloping the people is the Menzies iconic orange. Spreading from either side of the agar plate is the knowledge passed on to the greater community. In the background are the individual cells as seen under the microscope, rod shaped and pink for the negative Gram stain.
(Artwork owned by Menzies School of Health Research)
About the bacterium
Burkholderia mayonis is a relative of the notorious pathogen, Burkholderia pseudomallei, which causes the tropical disease Melioidosis. This microbe can be found in soil and water and is particularly widespread throughout northern Australia and Southeast Asia. There are many species within the Burkholderia genus, some do not cause disease in humans or animals and are beneficial to the environment. However, the pathogenic species are classified as U.S. Tier 1 Select Agents for biowarfare as they have the potential to be weaponised through aerosols. Due to the possible danger and potential benefits of this group, new species are of great interest for research.
B. savannae was named for the grassy plains in the tropical region of the Northern Territory where this bacterium was first isolated. It is not known to be pathogenic.