Tag: enzyme

Life Science, Physical Science, S&P 4: Molecule Traits (HS), Structure & Properties of Matter, Structure and Function

Engineering a Better Enzyme to Degrade PET Plastic

GwynneL.

Characterization and engineering of a plastic-degrading aromatic polyesterase SUMMARY: There is a bacterium that makes PETase (an enzyme that can digest PET plastic). Researchers in this paper took this PETase enzyme, modified it slightly, and made it better. The modifications aded in sections that were commonly seen in other enzymes such as cutinases and lipases;… Continue reading Engineering a Better Enzyme to Degrade PET Plastic

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Forces & Interactions, Life Science, Physical Science, S&F 1: Cells (MS), S&P 1: Atoms & Molecules (MS), S&P 2: Investigating Electrical Force (HS), S&P 2: Synthetic Materials (MS), S&P 4: Molecule Traits (HS), Structure & Properties of Matter, Structure and Function

Using Nanoparticles to Treat Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

GwynneL.

Recent advances in the treatment of pathogenic infections using antibiotics and nano-drug delivery vehicles SUMMARY: This article talks about the different ways to combat antibiotic resistant bacterial infections. Most of the articles and methods focus on nanoparticles, coating nanoparticles with antibodies to detect pathogens, and creating an immune response using vaccination-like methods. LESSON COMMENTS: An… Continue reading Using Nanoparticles to Treat Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

Life Science, S&F 1: DNA to Proteins (HS), S&F 2: Cell Function (MS), Structure and Function

Structure and Function of MCR-4

GwynneL.

Action and mechanism of the colistin resistance enzyme MCR-4 SUMMARY: Colistin is an antibiotic that is considered to be a last resort against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Unfortunately, an enzyme called MCR-4 has evolved which makes bacteria resistant to colistin. Researchers want to understand the structure and function of MCR-4 in order to combat it. There… Continue reading Structure and Function of MCR-4

Inheritance & Variation of Traits, Inheritance 2: Genes and Growth (MS), Inheritance 2: Role of DNA (HS), Inheritance 3: Mutations (HS), Inheritance 3: Mutations (MS), Inheritance 4: Population Genetics (HS), Life Science, Natural Selection & Evolution, NSE 2: Evolution Factors (HS), NSE 3: Trait Selection (HS), NSE 4: Adaption (HS), NSE 4: Fitness (MS), NSE 5: Natural Selection (MS), NSE 5: Population Flux (HS), S&F 1: Cells (MS), S&F 1: DNA to Proteins (HS), S&F 2: Cell Function (MS), Structure and Function

How Bacteria Genes Change with Dryness

GwynneL.

Environmental filtering of bacterial functional diversity along an aridity gradient SUMMARY: Genes of soil bacteria sampled in the Tibetan Plateau showed that as the environment got drier, the less diverse the genes were. Researchers wanted to compare bacterial gene diversity with the already-known diversity of genes in large animals in various environments. There were less… Continue reading How Bacteria Genes Change with Dryness

Life Science, Natural Selection & Evolution, NSE 1: Evolution Evidence (HS), NSE 2: Evolution Factors (HS), NSE 5: Natural Selection (MS), NSE 5: Population Flux (HS), S&F 1: DNA to Proteins (HS), Structure and Function

Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in People and Chickens in Ghana

GwynneL.

Detection and Characterization of ESBL-Producing Escherichia coli From Humans and Poultry in Ghana SUMMARY: Farm animals (for food) in African countries have high levels of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. Coli. Beta-lactamase is an enzyme produced by certain types of bacteria that disable antibiotics. Researchers looked at fecal samples from children in rural Ghana and samples… Continue reading Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in People and Chickens in Ghana

Earth Science, HSus 3: Human/Ecosystem Interactions (HS), HSus 4: Evaluating Solutions (HS), HSus 5: Showing Human Impact (HS), Human Sustainability, Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems, IR 4: Reducing Human Impact (HS), IR 6: Human Impact Solutions (HS), Life Science, Non-NGSS Articles, S&F 2: Body Systems (HS), S&F 3: Body Systems (MS), Structure and Function

Krill Digesting Microplastic

GwynneL.

Turning microplastics into nanoplastics through digestive fragmentation by Antarctic krill SUMMARY: This study found that krill were breaking down microplastic beads into smaller and smaller pieces in their digestive system. The krill were divided into two groups, one eating 80% plastic beads with 20% algae, the other eating 20% plastic beads and 80% algae. The… Continue reading Krill Digesting Microplastic