Making Evolution Make Microbes Make Products

Jeffrey Huang
Author: Cynthia Graber
Published: January 8th, 2015.
URL: http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/making-evolution-make-microbes-make-products/

Summary:
In the status quo, scientists have developed specific procedures for inserting certain genes into a bacterial plasmid to turn it a recombinant DNA plasmid so that the bacteria will be able to express the gene that was inserted. Once the bacteria undergoes mitosis, the plasmid ends up getting copied and so the end result is an entire collection of bacteria.This process has its advantages and disadvantages, a major one being that medicine, such as insulin, can be mass produced with the genetically modified foods. By using method, it both requires a cleaner setup and the produces fewer byproducts that harm the environment. Yet this method has been limited due to inefficiencies. To solve this problem, a research team from Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering claim to have developed a way to increase efficiency in microbes by using Darwinian principles of evolution. The way did this was by using natural selection to select the bacteria that were most efficient. They did this by altering the bacteria so that they were only antibiotic resistant after producing the desired product. By doing this, only those that make the product will survive because those that don't make the product won't be able to survive in the antibiotic.

Connection:
This podcast connects to the material taught in class in 2 different ways; one is through bioengineering and genetics, and the other is through evolution. In the podcast, the author talks about genetically engineered bacteria and their biomedical contribution as ways to mass produce products that are of interest to humans, such as insulin. As we have learned in class, scientists insert specific genes into bacteria in order for them to make the product desired by the producer. Also, the Cynthia Graber also talks about how the research group used Darwinian principles to strongly improve the efficiency of the production of the bacteria. One specific principle they used was Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Darwin's theory of natural selection states that those that have the traits that are better suited to the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. The scientists used this theory in order to "naturally select"  the bacteria that are more efficient, and thus the experiment is a demonstration of Darwin's theory of natural selection.

Key Enzyme Found in Disease-Causing Bacteria Responsible for Heart Valve Disease

Shruti Suresh

Period 2 Mathieu
Biology Honors
8 March 2014

Published: 5 March 2014
Author: Sathya Achia Abraham
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140305125245.htm


Summary: 
          On March 5th, 2014, researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University Philips Institute for Oral Health research in the School of Dentistry, led a preclinical study which resulted in a discovery of a vital enzyme in a disease-causing bacterium. In order to cause a serious heart infection, the disease-causing bacterium, which is found in the mouth, needs manganese. This discovery may lead to new findings to solve the mystery why certain bacteria need manganese to cause diseases. Earlier this week, researchers confirmed that manganese provides the necessary building blocks to make DNA. When the Virginia Commonwealth University team eradicated this enzyme or the protein that attaches the manganese to the enzyme, the bacterium could not cause the heart disease, endocarditis, nor could survive. According to corresponding author Todd Kitten, Ph.D., associate professor at the Phillips Institute for Oral Health Research at the VCU School of Dentistry, "The best antibiotics attack parts of a bacterium that are critical for bacterial survival, but are not found in human cells." As stated by Kitten, this manganese-needing bacteria fulfills both conditions because without manganese, it cannot live, and manganese is not found in human cells. 


Connection:
          This article directly relates to our curriculum because by studying this bacteria's function and structure, we can try to prevent the risks of endocarditis in humans. For example, because of this study, we now know that the bacteria that causes endocarditis needs the enzyme, manganese to survive and cause the disease. By creating an antibiotic to directly eliminate manganese in the bacterium, we can eliminate the bacteria as well. Eradicating the bacteria results in a prevention of a dangerous heart disease in humans. With this understanding, researchers can look at other disease-causing bacteria and see if they share similar factors with the manganese and help prevent those diseases and save many lives as well.  

Harnessing Plant-Invading Fungi for Fuel

Monica Kanojia (editor)

January 8, 2013

http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=126518&org=NSF

Summary:  Endophytes live in plant tissues and they do not cause harm, sometimes there is a mutualistic relationship where the endophytes prevent the plant from a harmful bacteria. Endophytic fungi have proven to be a good source for energy. Scientists studied an endophyte known as Hypoxylon, and studied the volatile organic compounds that it produces and its antimicrobial activity and genetic makeup. The volatile organic compounds they produce can be used as fuel or a part of fuel.  The range of compounds Hypoxlon produces is important.  Different compounds have certain structures and some structures shows they can be used as fuel. Specific compounds in Hypoxlon are called monoterpenes and they are very successful fuels.  They would be more efficient and better for the environment than ethanol because monoterpenes can come from natural wastes. Also ethanol causes problems with engines and does not contain very much energy.  Scientists have talked about increasing the production of monoterpenes through bioengineering in the hope of finding a new energy source for fuel. 

Connection:  This article is related to what we have been learning about this term. It shows an example of a symbiotic relationship.  The relationship is between endophytes and plants.  It also involves fungi and how they can be useful to everyday life. Lastly, in the past we have talked about bioengineering and this an example of a real life situation in which scientists use this technology.