Nintendo's Mario has taught us science and even encouraged the development of better artificial intelligence. So it's only appropriate that Japanese researchers paid homage to everyone's favorite video game character, by recreating his likeness in a petri dish with genetically engineered glow-in-the-dark bacteria. Warning: we reveal a seizure-inducing Mario animation after the story jump.
Team Osaka submitted their Mario likeness to the 2009 international Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM). They combined standard DNA sequences known as BioBricks with their own special DNA snips to create franken-bacteria that express fluorescent proteins and carotenoid pigments.
You can gawk at this and other fine petri dish masterworks at this New Scientist gallery.
[via New Scientist]
140 years of Popular Science at your fingertips.
Each issue has been completely reimagined for your iPad. See our amazing new vision for magazines that goes far beyond the printed page
Stay up to date on the latest news of the future of science and technology from your iPhone or Android phone with full articles, images and offline viewing
Featuring every article from the magazine and website, plus links from around the Web. Also see our PopSci DIY feed
For our annual How It Works issue, we break down everything from the massive Falcon Heavy rocket to a tiny DNA sequencer that connects to a USB port. We also take a look at an ambitious plan for faster-than-light travel and dive into the billion-dollar science of dog food.
Plus the latest Legos, Cadillac's plug-in hybrid, a tractor built for the apocalypse, and more.


Online Content Director: Suzanne LaBarre | Email
Senior Editor: Paul Adams | Email
Associate Editor: Dan Nosowitz | Email
Assistant Editor: Colin Lecher | Email
Assistant Editor:Rose Pastore | Email
Contributing Writers:
Rebecca Boyle | Email
Kelsey D. Atherton | Email
Francie Diep | Email
Shaunacy Ferro | Email
huh,
I saw the image in the RSS feed, before the jump.
GFP's purpose for existence is this, the creation of microscopic video games. I want to have my kids with these games genetically embedded into there left eye so they will never have to be bored.
finally!!!! science does something useful!!!
Damnit POPSCI! If only you told us that the new scientist gallary is seriously bugged! Just nearly avoided computer melt down! Dumb web. This thing is cool though.
I regret that the Japanese beat us to this because this is the sort of thing that I'd love to shake my head at and say "gee folks, there's your tax dollars at work!"
I regret that the Japanese beat us to this because this is the sort of thing that I'd love to shake my head at and say "gee folks, there's your tax dollars at work!"
I want to have my kids with these games genetically embedded into there left eye so they will never have to be bored.
www.eprostateproblems.com/