Person Walsby; Anthony Edward (1941 - 2024); microbiologist Walsby Anthony Edward microbiologist 1941 - 2024 British Male Bexley, Kent, England 21 June 1941 19410621 14 April 2024 20240414

microbiologist Molecular biology Ecology Cyanobacteria Algae Microbiology Anthony Walsby was a microbiologist who uncovered the curious method by which many aquatic microorganisms control their buoyancy. He showed that photosynthesising bacteria form and collapse gas vesicles to maintain their position in the water or reach regions with more sunlight. Anthony also discovered the first saltwater microbe with square-shaped cells. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue–green algae, are photosynthetic. Anthony showed that these, and many other single-celled aquatic organisms, use gas vesicles to provide their buoyancy. He described the unique protein membrane of the vesicles, now exploited as the target for ultrasonic treatment of troublesome algal blooms in bodies of water. Anthony discovered the first Haloquadratum archeon in a coastal brine pool on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. Named after him, Haloquadratum walsbyi proliferates in salt-rich water and, unusually, has cells shaped like flat, square boxes. Fellow 11/03/1993 51 Fellows Directory, 'Professor Anthony Walsby FRS', accessed 18 October 2024. https://royalsociety.org/people/anthony-walsby-12476/ International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/action/doSearch?ContribAuthorRaw=Walsby%2C+Anthony+Edward RCN 8271 21 Jun 1941 - The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 29/01/2025 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA4289 21/11/2001 Andyg Martind 29/01/2025 RS_NET\VidaM Yes 3c4ad240-a535-443a-903a-83f8e7514dfd