Mutagen Solution

Lore & Background

The Mutagen Solution was first synthesized by Dexter in his laboratory as part of his ongoing experiments in genetic manipulation. Its formula is a closely guarded secret, though Mandark has attempted to replicate it on several occasions, always with unstable or disastrous results. The solution is known to react violently with common household substances, and Dexter stores it in a reinforced, temperature-controlled container to prevent accidental exposure. Its effects are temporary in some cases, but prolonged contact can cause permanent, often monstrous, transformations.

In Their Own Story

Weisner in March 1942 first noted the production of an antibiotic by strains of A. clavatus, and the active substance was known as clavatin. Later the antibiotic was named clavacin in August 1942 by Waksman, Horning and Spencer. Clavacin is also known as patulin. Clavacin was noted to be valuable in the treatment of common-cold and applies a fungistatic or fungicidal effect on certain dermatophytes. A. clavatus with Phytophthora cryptogea in soil provided protection against damping of tomato seedlings, by decreasing the spreading of pathogens. Reversely, A. clavatus with the addition of glucose, increased the pathogenicity of Verticillium albo-atrum to tomatoes.

Reader's Guide

Aspergillus clavatus undergoes rapid growth, resulting in the formation of a velvety and fairly dense felt that is observed to be bluish-grey green in colour. The emerging conidial heads are large and clavate when very young, quickly splitting into conspicuous and compact divergent columns. The conidia bearing conidiophores are generally coarse, smooth walled, uncoloured, hyaline and can grow to be very long. Elongated club-shaped vesicles clavate, and bear phialides over their entire-surface. The conidia on A. clavatus has been measured up to 3.0 – 4.5 X 2.5 – 3.5 μm. Cleistothecia are produced in crosses after approximately 4–10 weeks of incubation on suitable growth media at 25 °C. Cleistothecia are yellowish-brown to dark brown in colour and range in diameter from 315-700 μm in diameter.

Did You Know?

• The Mutagen Solution is entirely fictional and has no basis in real-world biology or chemistry.
• Dexter created the Mutagen Solution as part of his genetic research, not as a weapon, though it has often been used in self-defense against monsters or Mandark's schemes.
• The solution is highly unstable and can explode if shaken too vigorously or exposed to extreme temperatures.
• Mandark's attempts to recreate the Mutagen Solution have always resulted in a weaker, less predictable version that often backfires on him.
• Dee Dee has accidentally triggered the Mutagen Solution multiple times, leading to bizarre and humorous transformations of laboratory equipment and pets.