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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work*

@drphyto.bsky.social

23 followers 17 following 36 posts

Rachelle Lapham, Ph.D. Mom, wife to @takkun363, Research Scientist (pathogens, plants, gene editing, sustainable ingredients, biofuels), Lab Manager, DM/GM, Musician, Novelist, Cocktail enthusiast. Banner by Eldritch Smite.

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · Aug 30

How I describe myself to:

Science friends:
I'm a farmer/naturalist turned research scientist and lab manager with a specialty in plant pathogens and gene-editing. I like to sing, garden, and write.

DnD friends:
I'm a druid that multiclassed into wizard with a couple levels in bard.

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 1d

#PhytoFacts

Your Weird Wednesday is brought to you by sundews!

Sundews or Drosera is a genus of carnivorous plants with at least 194 species. These tiny little predators have modified, tentacle-like leaves covered with sticky, sap-covered hairs to ensnare prey.

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Drosera - Wikipedia

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 2d

#PhytoFacts
Your Tiny Tuesday is brought to you by Endophytic Bacteria!

This category of microbes live within plant tissues and help their host plants resistant infection, uptake nutrients, and produce growth hormones or antibiotics.

www.frontiersin.org/journals/pla...

Frontiers | Beneficial Relationships Between Endophytic Bacteria and Medicinal Plants

Plants benefit extensively from endophytic bacteria, which live in host plant tissues exerting no harmful effects. Bacterial endophytes promote the growth of...

www.frontiersin.org

Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 4d

#PhytoFacts
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by Quinine!

This anti-malaria compound was first isolated from the bark of the cinchona tree in Peru. Bark extracts have been used since at least 1632 to treat malaria.

share.google/yeooGpcAFpq6...

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 5d

#PhytoFacts

Silly Science Saturday:

Me: I finished all the sampling!

Coworker 1 & 2, immediately grab the "emergency" party horns

🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

a man in a suit and bow tie is sitting at a desk eating a piece of food .

ALT: a man in a suit and bow tie is sitting at a desk eating a piece of food .

media.tenor.com

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 6d

#PhytoFacts
Your Flower Friday is brought to you by the Giant Sunflower!

Helianthus giganteus is also known as the Tall Sunflower or Swamp Sunflower. It blooms from July to September and grows to 4-10 ft (1 to 3 meters) in height!

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a field of sunflowers with eclipse moon written on the bottom right

ALT: a field of sunflowers with eclipse moon written on the bottom right

media.tenor.com

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 9d

#PhytoFacts
Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Broomrapes!

With a staggering 150 species, these parasitic plants sport gorgeous flowers with tiny seeds. No leaves. No chlorophyll. They get all their food and nutrients from their host.

www.britannica.com/plant/broomr...

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 11d

#PhytoFacts
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by squalane!

This hydrating oil is used to promote skin health and reduce signs of aging. Although shark livers are an abundant source of it, most squalane is now derived from plants such as olives or by fermentation.

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Reposted by Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work*

Mary Williams @PlantTeaching @plantteaching.bsky.social · 14d

I can't help it, I just think they are so cute.
Living in Scotland means I'm constantly lagging behind on our walks as I stop to get a closer look.
Does everyone react that way when they see a bryophyte? 💚
Nice work here 👇
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Bryophyte gene family space

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 15d

#PhytoFacts
Tree Thursday is brought to you by the Northern Catalpa!

Commonly planted as an ornamental, this native North American tree has a thick trunk, big heart shaped leaves, long seed pods which resemble cigars, and gorgeous flowers.

Northern Catalpa share.google/XnFXsIf5aPei...

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 15d

Straight up vampire

Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 15d

Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Dodders!

These plants have no leaves or roots and have specialized stems which burrow into the tissues of other plants to steal sugar and water. Imagine a web of evil silly string.

Dodder www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gard...

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 16d

Some folks keep emergency booze at work.

I keep emergency soup.

Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 17d

Tiny Tuesday is brought to you by lichen!

Lichen is a colony organism that is a hybrid of cyanobacteria (algae), multiple filamentous fungi, and bacteria. Pictured is the leafy Flavoparmelia caperata, one of my favorites.

Lichen - Wikipedia share.google/mBHglEEIrtU1...

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 18d

Medicine Monday: Paclitaxel

Derived from the yew tree, this drug is now commonly used to treat a variety of cancers, but was a revolutionary treatment when it was first discovered.

Paclitaxel - Wikipedia share.google/MvnnUElzwMJc...

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Reposted by Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work*

Jaida Elcock @sofishtication.bsky.social · 19d

Be careful y’all! These things are no joke!

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 19d

Silly Science Saturday: Differences in approach

Lab mate #1, looking at her plants: "Awww. Poor thing. You don't look so good. I'll get you some fresh media."

Lab mate #2, examining her own plants: "...sink or swim, bitch."

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 21d

Flower Friday: Chrysanthemums!

These popular flowers bloom in the fall and are members of the Daisy family. They originate from East Asia, but the majority of the horticultural varieties come from China.

Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia share.google/rw2vjiTUNWR3...

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 22d

Tree Thursday: Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)

Known for its distinctive papery white bark, this tree is also known as the "canoe birch" and was used by indigenous Native Americans to make canoes, baskets, shelters, and all manner of tools for daily life.

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Betula papyrifera - Wikipedia

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 23d

Weird Wednesday: Witchweed (Striga)

Don't be fooled by its pretty blooms. This parasitic plant attaches itself to the roots of corn or sorghum and sucks the life out of them. It can cause massive losses in yield and even ruin an entire year's planting.

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Striga - Wikipedia

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 24d

Tiny Tuesday: Bacillus subtilis

This little soil microbe is an absolute rockstar!

It's been used to discover new medicines, promote plant growth, protect plants from pathogens, and as a tiny factory for bio-derived compounds. What can't it do?

share.google/d8zI938XYV49...

Bacillus subtilis: a universal cell factory for industry, agriculture, biomaterials and medicine - Microbial Cell Factories

Due to its clear inherited backgrounds as well as simple and diverse genetic manipulation systems, Bacillus subtilis is the key Gram-positive model bacterium for studies on physiology and metabolism. ...

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 26d

Silly Science Saturday:

*Me and coworker 1 were trying to open a box.*

Coworker 2, laughing: How many degrees is it going to take?

Coworker 1: Apparently, three.

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 27d

Flower Friday: Passionflowers

An easy to grow, climbing vine which makes huge, exotic looking flowers. Great for trellises, fences, and garden walls.

Passionflower: Plant Care & Growing Guide share.google/Lx8IVrqEgcVi...

How to Easily Grow Exotic Passionflowers

Beautiful, unique passionflowers are much tougher than their delicate appearance. Learn how to grow, care, and display these perennial beauties.

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · 28d

Tree Thursday: Crabapples!

Beautiful, hardy little trees with gorgeous flowers and small fruits. You can eat crabapples raw, but they can pack a bitter punch. A better idea is to use them to make cider. 😋

Crabapples: A Tree for All Seasons - Floret Flowers share.google/kNl2nLWW7L6c...

A Tree For All Seasons Crabapples Video - Floret Flowers

There are no other trees that I know of that offer so much beauty throughout the year than crabapples—they really are a tree for all seasons.

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · Sep 9

Tiny Thursday: Rhizobium

No fertilizer? No problem!

In exchange for room and board, these soil microbes capture nitrogen from the atmosphere and give it to their plant landlords who make apartments for them out of their roots.

share.google/pRXl5WlhXrfE...

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Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work* @drphyto.bsky.social · Sep 9

Ain't hard. I have one. It actually has a little sprout that I could try and propagate for you.