At the beginning of this year, research in artificial biology has led the headlines after revealing an unconventional method of using plastic waste: converting it into acetaminophen (paracetamol), one of the most used pain relievers around the world.
Researchers have been able to modify the I coli bacteria (E. coli) genetically to swallow, digest, digest and convert molecules to Paracetamol. This achievement was led by Professor Stephen Wallace, a professor of chemical biotechnology at Edinburgh University.
Why was the colossal chosen?
Irrigation Xoronian is known to live in the intestine of humans and animals, and is often associated with people’s minds of food poisoning. But some of its strains are not a nurse, and are used in abundance in laboratories around the world as a “horse of work” in the field of biotechnology.
Wallace explains: “If you want to prove that the idea of what is biologically verified, E. Coli is the first option of course.” In his previous experiences, he succeeded in converting plastic waste into vanilla flavor, and converting accumulated fat in sewage systems into perfumes.
Live Factory for the Production of Medicines and Chemicals
The role of these bacteria is not only limited to laboratories, but is used industrially in huge cabinets as they work as live factories that produce basic drugs such as insulin, in addition to chemicals that are included in the fuel and solvent industry.
This makes it an indispensable tool in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, thanks to its ability to reproduce quickly and easy to manipulate its genes.
From my research form to a scientific revolution
The Irritable Eschirian story began in 1885 when German pediatrician Theodore Eschch was removed while studying the infant intestine microbes. Thanks to its rapid growth and ease of dealing with it, it has become a model for the study of bacterial biology.
In the 1940s, the “genetic reinstitation” feature of these bacteria was discovered, that is, its ability to exchange genes and gain new characteristics. This observation changed the path of genetics, and established the ingredient’s ingredient’s position as an indispensable model.
Later, she helped decipher the genetic code, and it was the first object to which a stranger DNA was introduced in the seventies, which established modern genetic engineering.
Revolution in the treatment of diabetes
Decades ago, insulin extracted from cows and pigs was the only solution for diabetics, but it was causing allergic reactions in some of them. In 1978, the solution came through the coli’s coli, as scientists produced the first human artificial insulin using it, an achievement that changed the lives of millions.
In 1997, it became one of the first organisms to fully dismantled the genetic code, which made it more accurate in manipulating it.
Why is it still dominant?
“The more accurate beings, the more I colus,” says Professor Adam Vist of the University of California.
It bears different conditions, can be frozen and reuse, and is characterized by its superior ability to host a foreign DNA.
Sinthia Collins, of Ginkgo Bioworks, also confirms that the coli is still an excellent economic industrial choice despite the availability of other alternatives.
Is it an obstacle to new discoveries?
Despite its successes, some scientists warn that the excessive concentration of coli cyanosis may reduce other bacteria that may be more efficient.
Professor Paul Jensen of the University of Michigan explains that many other microbes have not yet been taught enough. Some bacteria in waste dumps, for example, have already started to analyze plastic in natural ways, and may carry capabilities to produce materials that we have not yet imagined, such as cement or rubber.
New competitor: Vibrio Natriegens
Among the most promising alternatives, the Vibrio Natriegens bacteria, which was first isolated in the sixties of the last century of salty swamps in the US state of Georgia.
But it did not draw attention until in the past decade, when it was discovered that it grows twice faster than the coli and is characterized by its high ability to absorb a foreign DNA.
Professor Bazzo from Cornell University describes it as a “horse to the car”. It believes that it may be the basis for facing the challenges of major sustainability, such as the production of aircraft fuel from carbon dioxide or rare mineral extraction.
However, they still lack genetic tools currently available to E. COLI, and has not yet proven its capacity for large -scale industrial production.
The future of biotechnology
While the coli’s ostrich remains the most used being in the world laboratories, experts agree that the microbial diversity is the key to the future. Other microbes may carry the traditional “horse of work” capabilities, but the road is still long before it excelled in the industrial arena.
