Michelle Kwon Art

Acinetobacter baumannii is a unique bacteria that tends to be widespread in hospital ICUs and surface tops. Rather than becoming weaker without the presence of water, it actually expresses the protein DtpA which allows the bacteria to tolerate environmental conditions without water. This piece depicts the bacteria in the center, glowing, as it expresses its unique protein while being surrounded by a body of water. The water that wraps around the bacteria is distant from the body representing the strength of the bacteria even without the direct presence of water. Furthermore, the blue water-like structure plays a dual role as it also represents the folded DtpA protein structure. Surrounding this entire figure are other bacterias that would usually need water and the presence of moisture in order to survive.