Bacteria, insects join forces against pesticide: Microbes in gut, rather than genetic changes, allow insects to develop chemical resistance

Farmers may rule above insects for many decades but in the future, they may need to think up a new solution to pests as pesticides may become useless.  In a research by a team of researchers in Japan, pesticide resistance in insects is discovered.  However, what surprised the researchers the most is that the resistance is not the result of evolution written in the genes but by a symbiotic relationship between the insects and bacteria.

Fenitrothion is a common pesticide used in agriculture but this toxin is fed on by Burkholderia bacteria.  The bacteria will break down the toxin into carbon that will be fed.  The researchers have soil filled with the toxin and with the bacteria.  Then bean bugs called Riptortus pedestris, is grown in the soil.  The bugs should have been killed by the fenitrothion but it survived.  Upon close analysis, instead of changes within the genes, the bacteria saved the bugs.  They live inside the bugs and returning the favor, they break down the toxin. 

This symbiotic relationship is worrisome since it happens in a short duration compared to evolution.  Evolution will take many generations to happen but this symbiosis happens in an instant.  The bacteria can also spread to other places.

This research demonstrated how organisms will adapt to survive and in this case, the bugs have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria to survive instead of relying on evolution.  This may become a huge problem in the future but with the way things are at the moment, very few insects are combating insecticides with this method.

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/340213/title/Bacteria%2C_insects_join_forces_against_pesticide_

Powell, Devin. "Bacteria, insects join forces against pesticide ." ScienceNews MAGAZINE OF THE SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC. 23 April 2012: n. page. Web. 7 May. 2012. <http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/340213/title/Bacteria,_insects_join_forces_against_pesticide_>.

              

Flies on Meth Burn through Sugar: Effect may explain why addicts often have a sweet tooth

Upon flipping through the Science News magazine, I stopped at the “Genes & Cells” section of the magazine.  This article is one of the articles in that section and I found it pretty interesting.  In the past, I have watched videos on the internet about the effects of animals on drugs and I think of it as a joke until I read this article.  This article is a summary of the study in PLoS ONE on April 20, 2011.  This study explains and describes the many damaging effects of methamphetamine on the cells and genes when tested on fruit flies.

Muscle degradation, bad sperm production, accelerating cells aging and change in sugar metabolism are some of the effects meth has on both the flies and humans discussed in the article.  The article focus on the alteration on the sugar metabolism in the cells affected with meth.  According to the study, the cells when on meth have the same effect of cells that are not getting enough oxygen.  When cells don’t have enough oxygen such as during exercise, the cells will break down sugar molecules stored inside the body.  However, cells that are on meth still display the same conditions although, they have plenty of oxygen.  The cause is unclear but the researchers deduced that meth turn on genes that cause the cells to break down sugar when the oxygen is still enough.  This depleted sugar supplies in the cells will cause the addicts to have a great desire for sugar.  In the experiment, the flies with sugar survive longer than the flies without sugar.

This study is connected to some of the topics that we have been learning in biology.  The topic about cells energetics and genetics are involved.  Anaerobic fermentation is when the cells break down sugar in the absence of oxygen and meth creates the same effect on the cells even though there is plenty of oxygen.  Genetics is also related to the study.  Epigenetics is the study of the turning on and off of the gene caused by the environment.  In the study, meth may have an effect on how the genes are turned on to create the conditions of sugar metabolism.


Citation

- Strain, Daniel. "Flies on meth burn through sugar." ScienceNews MAGAZINE OF THE SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIS. 21 May 2011: 14. Print.

Epigenetic Memory in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (Summary of an Actual Journal in Nature)

               

                 In our body, there are billions of cells but in genetics, stem cells are the type of cells that we focus on.  There are many controversies over the use of stem cells such as the use of embryonic stem cells in medical research and treatment.  Embryonic stem cells are important in many researches because of its pluripotent property or the ability to become any type of cells but that comes with a cost.  They can only be obtained from actual embryos.  Therefore, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are thought to be the answer to this problem. 

                

               iPSCs are not actually embryonic stem cells so that means that an actual embryo or going to b e human cell is not required to be destroyed.  However, they have the same property which is being able to specialize into any cells.  iPSCs are made by using two techniques, nuclear transfer and transcription based reprogramming, to turn somatic adult cells back into the pluripotent stem cells.  Although not having to destroy embryos and being able to differentiate into any cells ignoring the original cells sounds as a sound solution to the problem with embryonic stem cells, this study published in Nature in the year 2010 has proven that there are still some problems.

               “Epigenetic memory” is discovered in the iPSCs by this research [1] .  Epigenetic memory is when the iPSCs that are supposed to be reprogram and reset into pluripotent stem cells show similar properties to that of the somatic cells origin.  The DNA has methylation and when the adult cell is reprogramed, that methylation still leaves its traces on the iPSCs.  The iPSCs obtained from original cells are supposed to be able to differentiate into different type of cells that are needed but when done, they show different properties.  iPSCs with original cells similar to the wanted cells will have better properties of it.  For example, iPSCs from blood cell will have more of the adult blood cells properties when differentiated than iPSCs from muscle cell.  As said by Dr. George Daley in abc news, “It's an advantage when you want to make the same tissue type, but not if you're looking at making something new. [4] ”

                 Epigenetic memory is tested using the comparison of hematopoietic (the production of all types of blood cells [5] ) stem cells from the fertilized embryos (fESCs), nuclear transfer embryonic stem cells (ntESCs), and iPSCs.  These stem cells are taken from mice and then reprogrammed to get the stem cells.  They all show the hematopoietic properties but at different levels of effectiveness.  “Blood derived iPSCs” are found to have more hematopoietic cells than “fibroblast iPSCs”.  Also from the study, ntESCs form more hematopoietic cells than fESCs.  This result shows that iPSCs has epigenetic memory and will have epigenetic marks from the original cell which will be good to differentiation into cells of similar specialization and for this case, into hematopoietic cell. 

                     Next, the researchers study into the DNA methylation of the stem cells.  Differentially methylated regions (DMR) or a special gene with methylation are compared between ntESCs, blood derived iPSCs, fibroblast derived iPSCs, and fESCs.  The comparison is done by a technique called comprehensive high-throughput array-based relative methylation.  From the CHARM done to compare DMR of different stem cells, it shows that ntESCs are the most similar fESCs meaning that nuclear transfer is a more efficient way or reprogramming.  Higher blood forming potential is also seen in blood derived iPSCs than in fibroblast derived iPSCs. 

                After that, the researchers are thinking up a way to reset the differentiation of the differentiated cells to make it have a better blood forming potential.  This is done by having a tertiary reprogramming done on a cell.  So for this instance, a non-blood cell is reprogrammed into an iPSCs.  Then it is differentiated into a blood forming cell but it has low blood forming potential from the epigenetic memory.  Nonetheless, that cell is undergone tertiary reprogramming to become iPSCs once more but this time, it has a higher blood forming potential.  Another way to increase the blood forming potential of the cell is to do a drug treatment involving “chromatin modifying compound” [1] also increase blood forming potential.

                From other sources such as abc news, this research is a topic of argument.  "If you make an IPS cell from skin cells and you want to use that for studying blood diseases, then we know now that you might be better off starting with blood tissue instead," argued Ihor Lemischka. [4]  Nonetheless, all researchers agree upon the fact that this will without a doubt have potential in the future if more research has been done.  Sean Morrison pointed out “In the end, adult stem cells will probably prove superior for certain therapeutic applications, reprogrammed cells might work for other applications, and embryonic cells for others.” [4]

                As more recent research has been done, more information about the iPSCs is discovered.  In a recent research, iPSCs are found to be very similar to embryonic stem cells but only when the cells are in the early fetal stage.  “This finding may lead to exciting new ways to study early human development, but it also may present a challenge for transplantation, because the cells you end up with are not something that's indicative of a cell you'd find in an adult or even in a newborn baby," said William Lowry.  [3] In another research, iPSCs shows a good chance of differentiating into the same endoderm cells with a lot of overlap in the genes.  The researchers therefore conclude that iPSCs can be used for therapies involving the endoderm cells [2] .

                With more researches into induced pluripotent stem cells, the world is likely to become a better place with lots of diseases cured without the killing of what is going to become human.

Bibliography

1. K. Kim, A. Doi, B. Wen, K. Ng, R. Zhao, P. Cahan, J. Kim, M. J. Aryee, H. Ji, L. I. R. Ehrlich, A. Yabuuchi, A. Takeuchi, K. C. Cunniff, H. Hongguang, S. Mckinney-Freeman, O. Naveiras, T. J. Yoon, R. A. Irizarry,N. Jung, J. Seita, J. Hanna, P. Murakami, R. Jaenisch, R. Weissleder, S. H. Orkin, I. L. Weissman, A. P. Feinberg, G. Q. Daley "Epigenetic memory in induced pluripotent stem cells." Epigenetic memory in induced pluripotent stem cells. 467.16 (2010): 285-90. Print.
2. ScienceDaily, . "Cells Derived from Different Stem Cells: Same or Different?." Cells Derived from Different Stem Cells: Same or Different? 02 May 2011, n. pag. Web. 30 Apr. 2012. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110502121749.htm.
3. ScienceDaily, . "Cells Derived from Pluripotent Stem Cells Are Developmentally Immature." Cells Derived from Pluripotent Stem Cells Are Developmentally Immature 17 Aug 2011, n. pag. Web. 30 Apr. 2012. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817092227.htm.
4. Salahi, Lara. "Reprogrammed Adult Cells Not an Alternative to Embryonic Stem Cells." Reprogrammed Adult Cells Not an Alternative to Embryonic Stem Cells 20 Jul 2010, n. pag. Web. 30 Apr. 2012. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/reprogrammed-adult-cells-retain-memory/story?id=11201017.
5. "Definition of Hematopoiesis." MedicineNet.com. MedicineNet, Inc., 19 Mar 2012. Web. 30 Apr 2012. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=19775.
6. "Image Glossary > Cellular Reprogramming." STEM CELL SCHOOL. Genetics Policy Institute, n.d. Web. 30 Apr 2012. http://www.stemcellschool.org/ig-cellular-reprogramming.html.

Wet Bangkok

           

http://variety.horoworld.com/gallery/?img=http://ho.files-media.com/ud/gallery/1/1952/317261_273661699331027_273432429353954_939789_372366324_n.jpg&entry_id=5983&na=น้ำท่วม2554

                Nature is not something we can fight, predict or control.  The moment nature strikes back is the moment that mankind will have to be strong.  Nature has been cruel to Thailand in the year 2011.  Huge amount of rainfall pours down onto the northern part and now the gigantic amount of water is running down south flooding Bangkok.  Just as a video that I watched on youtube says, the water this year amounts equivalent to fifty millions blue whales which is quite A LOT! 

These blue whales are desperate to be freed into the Gulf of Thailand and I am sure that everyone is trying their hardest to free these whales.  I am quite happy to see people help each other without thinking about the consequences.  There are pictures, news, and stories of people helping people, people helping dogs and even dogs helping people.  The picture I posted is depicting the moment of peace between Thai people, not discriminated by political parties.  It is because of these people with their attempts with flood reliefs that will help the victims survive this disaster.  The flood affects everyone which also includes me although my house is not flooded yet.  The ways it affect me is that I have much longer October break, I have over 500 sand bags placed on front of my home, and that my front door is sealed with a wall of cement.  I am not flooded yet and I can’t imagine the lives of those who are already flooded such my friend Wasin.  Nonetheless, I have few concerns for some group of people that appeared to be troublesome for the government. 

These people include people who are trying to destroy the gate for draining out the water, people who are destroying the sand bag walls, people who are cutting open the “Big Bags”, thieves robbing flooded houses, and the Don Mueang people who are trying to remove the Big Bags and let water flood the rest of Bangkok.  These people are not much difference than the trashes floating on the water.  They prove to be unnecessary obstacles to the government in draining the water.  These people are selfish unlike the people in the rural areas who show gratitude to all the help and work together as a strong community.  These selfish people either think only about themselves or think of reaping as much profits as possible from the pain of others. 

Homeopathy: FAKE OR NOT???

Homeopathy is the idea that very diluted solutions of chemicals are given as cures and that water has a memory of what chemical has been in it.  The solution is so diluted that none of the original substance remains inside the water after dilution.  However, in homoepahty, water can remembers the original substance before dilution and still have the same healing properties.

I think that homeopathy is a myth just like turning lead into gold.  How can water, a compound (non liivng) have memory?  Does water has a brain?  The ideas of water having a memory of the chemical that is diluted is a wild idea without proof.  No proof means no validity.  If there is a doctor that prescribed me to homeopahty, suing the doctor is the first thing I would do.  How can a doctor who has all the knowledge in biology and chemistry believe in a myth such as homoepathy?  The doctor must be overly exposed to x-ray radiation in order to believe in such wild ideas because there is not scientific evidence backing up for it.

Nonetheless, homeopathy works similarly to some types of treatment for allergies.  An example given in the BBC page about homeopahty states that "For example, it is believed that onions, which produce streaming, itchy eyes, can be used to relieve the symptoms of hay fever."

Amazing CELLSSSSS!! :)

The cells are the most amazing creation of nature.  Most of us perceive objects from the big picture and we cannot see any of the cells but we know that they are a part of our body.  Earlier, before I take Biology and study about cells, all I know is that I am made up of these insignificant “things” but my view of the world changed after I study what these (in)significant “things” are capable of.  They exist inside millions of cells that are born from two cells.  I cannot imagine how millions of functions are being automatically operated inside something so small that we cannot see.  The complicated organelles or little organs that perform these functions are awesome; they corporate with one another for our survival.  Moreover, we tend to overlook the microscopic world that surrounds us.  The inside of the cells is like another chaotic world (busier than New York or Tokyo) but there is still an order controlling all the components.  This is done by DNA and all the instructions for all the organelles come from the DNA.  Therefore, DNA is like the president of the United Organelles of Cells that has done his job almost perfectly.

A very interesting fact that I got from reading this passage about cells from Bill Bryson’s book is that the DNA is being damaged every 8.4 seconds.  DNA is the genetic materials within our body and it being attacked by rapid chemicals reactions within the cells themselves can become harmful.  However, these injuries are healed quickly over and over again.  I find this fact interesting because it proves to use that cells are not perfect since mistakes occur but they manage to fix those problems up very fast.  My favorite quote from this passage about cells is a line spoken by de Durve “The molecular world must necessarily remain entirely beyond the powers of our imagination owing to the incredible speed with which things happen in it.”