I Am Escherichia Coli Poem by Gita Ashok

This poem is about a microorganism - a normally harmless bacterium that resides in the intestinal tract of all human beings. It is called Escherichia coli. For a number of reasons, it is widely used in research, especially in genetic engineering. The poem attempts to portray some of the traits of this bacterium. It can best be appreciated by microbiologists and biochemists.

That I am a normal bacterium in your intestinal tract
Is a well-known and proven fact.
Under the microscope, you’ll find me Gram negative
And so to penicillin I’m not sensitive.

Being an intestinal resident
To bile salts I’m naturally resistant.
In the lab you can grow me
On MacConkey’s Agar easily.

Given optimum conditions and proper nutrients
I can multiply roughly every twenty minutes.
I produce a lot of colicin
However, I’m sensitive to streptomycin.

For you, I synthesize B-complex vitamins and Vitamin K
You’ve got to thank me for keeping all other dangerous cousins at bay.
Though I’m your friend most of the time
I can become opportunistic at other times.

Though I’m generally loving and giving
Watch out! I could also give you food poisoning.
From me you get a special enzyme
That helps you cut DNA from time to time.

Sometimes when you are overcome with greed
And to satisfy your selfish need
You make me a recombinant bug
So that you can get a therapeutic drug.

Sometimes I harbor plasmids aplenty
So in gene amplification I come in handy.
I’m an instant hit with genetic engineers
But I’m an ominous threat to sanitary engineers!

On my own I do not enter a lake or pond
You humans dump me in and around.
If ever you find me in potable water
Be warned not to drink that thereafter.

For in that water you may find some of my distant cousins
Who could be waiting to give you their toxins.
But if you eat and drink carefully
About my buddies you need not worry.

You treat me well and I’ll cherish you and always care
You mess with me, and I’ll be part of biological warfare.
Don’t meddle with my genes every day
Else I’ll become an invisible terrorist some day!

Geeta Ashok