Strangers in the night....

The yeast cells of strain A14 were just hanging out on their agar plate, minding their own business, when they were suddenly scooped up and put back down on another plate. No sooner had this happened when they were joined by the yeast cells of strain I15, and swirled around on the plate. At this point the A14 cells did what any other self-respecting "alpha" cells would do when at a mixer with "a" cells--they sent out their schmoos and had themselves a little orgy. A scientific observer was able to take a this picture of the event:



Tomorrow, when they have happily combined into alpha/a cells, they will be transfered yet again to another plate and allowed to sporulate. What more could a yeast want out of life?

Don't judge me. It's 9:33pm and I'm still at lab. Permit me my little yeast humor.

The great thing about using yeast for experiments (yes, the same yeast that you use to make bread) is that they are capable of sexual reproduction which means you can do all kinds of genetics with them. It would take too long to explain--just trust me on this. The yeast come in two mating types: "alpha" and "a".

No, I am not at lab for yeast voyeurism. They can have their little orgy just fine without me watching. I'm actually doing a different kind of experiment and if you're really nice to me, I might show you some pretty pictures from the microscope in a few days.