You Tell Fran It's a Bacterium

t's a bacterium," you say. "We have a culture of it growing right here," and you point to the whitish growth in the PDA dish.

Fran's eyes narrow. "Not a virus?" she asks. "We think it's probably a virus."

"Can't be a virus," you say firmly. "A virus would have gone through the half-micron filter. But the pathogen didn't."

Fran grabs the clipboard away from you, and her eyes dart over the results. "You're right," she says finally. "This is good work." She turns on her heel and marches outside. You hear her talking to someone, then a motor scooter starts up and roars away.

Fran comes back in holding a box. "I've sent word back to the hospital," she says. "Bacteria -- that will be a big help. Meanwhile, we have another problem."

Read the
contest winners
for Episode Two

Continue with the mystery

An Access Excellence Science Mystery sponsored by Genentech, Inc.