A similar experiment was performed with the bulk, gel-like mesophases. The bulk MO cubic phase with Pn3m symmetry in an excess of aqueous media, and produced similar results (Figure ; see Figure for sample schematic): A partial transformation to hexagonal phase was observed after incubation with S. aureus; the cubic structure (Pn3m: √2:√3:√4:√6:√8:√9) was retained after exposure with all other bacterial strains. Additionally, upon inclusion of bacteria, no significant changes in cubic lattice parameter were observed (Table ). These results demonstrate that the structural effects induced by S. aureus affect both dispersed and bulk liquid crystalline materials.