Now in our 13th year of bringing you beautiful imagery from biomedical science every day

Search the archive of over 4000 images

Spot the Difference
28 April 2012

Spot the Difference

Slight differences in the make-up of our DNA can have dramatic effects on how we develop, affecting everything from the colour of our eyes to our blood type and shoe size. Genetic variation within a species of bacteria can affect the ability of different strains to invade and infect us. This chart compares the circular genome from different Campylobacter bacterial strains. One strain, called Campylobacter concisus BAA-1457, was taken from a patient with acute gastroenteritis. Its genome (black ring on chart) was compared to seven other bacterial strains (inner rings) to identify which genes they had in common (red indicates a matched gene, light blue indicates no match). Scientists identified the eight numbered regions which were unique to the BAA-1457 genome, including a gene called zot which they believe may have helped this particular bacterial strain to invade the patient’s body.

Written by John Ankers

Search The Archive

Submit An Image

Follow on Tumblr

Follow on Instagram

What is BPoD?

BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

Read More

BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.