When antibiotics first came out, nobody could have imagined we'd have the resistance problem we face today. We didn't give bacteria credit for being able to change and adapt so fast. Bonnie Bassler adaptantibioticbacterium Change image and share on social
My job is to teach someone something they never knew, but it should not be like you're in a prisoner-of-war camp. I'm supposed to be teaching you but also entertaining you. You're giving me an hour of your time. It should be lively. We're on a hunt, it's a mystery, and it's amazing. Bonnie Bassler amazecampentertain share on social
I want to make a drug. I want the science to be more than imaginary, where I think, 'We're learning these fundamental principles, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.' I think we are doing that, but I want to do something really practical. I want to actually, in my lifetime, help people. Bonnie Bassler blahdrugfundamental share on social
In my lab, we are always thinking about how cells, bacterial cells, can talk to each other and then organize themselves into enormous groups that function in unison. Bonnie Bassler bacterialcellenormous Change image and share on social
If a bacterium is trying to infect you, it won't secrete alone, because your immune system will block it. Bacteria will hide until they can all act together and make an impact. Bonnie Bassler actbacteriumblock Change image and share on social
Science is difficult and slow no matter who you are. The hours are long, and the glorious 'aha' days come only very infrequently. You have to keep believing that if you put in the hours, those days will indeed come! Bonnie Bassler ahabelieveday share on social
Everybody, as soon as they do a good experiment, their first thought in this lab is, 'That can't be right. I must have screwed it up. What did I do wrong?' And that's the best kind of scientist because they're filled with this self-doubt. And if I'm going to be honest, that's who I am. And it's what drives me. Bonnie Bassler doubtdriveexperiment share on social
The goal of scientists is you hope that the thing you're working on is bigger than the thing you're pipetting into that tube at that moment. Bonnie Bassler biggoalhope Change image and share on social
All these bacteria that coat our skin and live in our intestines, they fend off bad bacteria. They protect us. And you can't even digest your food without the bacteria that are in your gut. They have enzymes and proteins that allow you to metabolize foods you eat. Bonnie Bassler bacteriumbadcoat share on social
You live in intimate association with bacteria, and you couldn't survive without them. Bonnie Bassler associationbacteriumintimate Change image and share on social