Out for Blood: Editorial Journal Mockup

This mock journal cover was inspired by the recent discovery of “bacterial vampirism,” where some bacteria in the Enterobacteriaceae family are attracted to blood serum. This correlates to the proclivity of bacteria in this family for bloodstream infections. The illustration shows a stylized depiction of a Salmonella enterica bacterium as a vampire, in front of a petri dish “moon.” The chemical compound on the cloak is L-serine, a nod to component in blood serum that bacteria are attracted to. The cover was done with the cover styles of OYLA, a children’s science magazine, in mind.