From ananova.com:
Scientists make disgusting coffee mug appeal
Scientists have launched a search for Britain’s most stomach-churning unwashed coffee mug.
The Royal Society of Chemistry wants to inspect the most spectacular growth of green gunge to be found in a forgotten mug at work.
To qualify, the mould floating on the top of the left over coffee must be clearly discernible.
It organised the contest to mark the discovery of penicillin 75 years ago.
Although coffee cup cultures are often green, any disgusting colour is allowed.
Staff in offices, factories and other workplaces are being asked to submit photos – but not to have the rank mugs delivered.
The most impressive entry will win ‘an evening of culture’ at a location near the sender’s address.
Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin at St Mary’s Hospital in London on September 3, 1928, after leaving a dish in his laboratory while he went on holiday.
The mould that had grown in the dish paved the way to the antibiotics revolution which has saved millions of lives around the world.
Royal Society of Chemistry spokesman James McNish said: “The culture that developed on Fleming’s laboratory dish has much in common with those ageing, ownerless coffee cups languishing on shelves and workstations in British offices and factories. Mould spores float through the air and are always on the lookout for a favourite place to grow.
“The competition is a way of illustrating the point that science sometimes involves some luck and happenstance.”
Photograph entries should be emailed to [email protected], or posted to Culture Shock, Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, London S1J OBA.
Just in case anyone is tempted to cheat by patiently waiting for their coffee mug to bloom, the closing date is September 10.
Story filed: 14:08 Tuesday 2nd September 2003
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