An artificial microbe was a microorganism which was created by any process except natural ones (that is, biologically). In 2369, Captain Benjamin Sisko, Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax, Chief Miles O'Brien, and Doctor Julian Bashir encountered artificial microbes in the atmosphere of a moon in the Gamma Quadrant were an Ennis/Nol-Ennis penal colony was located. The artificial microbes regenerated those who had died on the moon, becoming a curse to the two warring factions.