Natural Antibiotics
Haven’t you ever wondered if some animal holds antibiotics against known human pathogens? It has become apparent that there is an animal that holds proteins that show promise for fighting different disease causing microbes including E. coli, herpes simplex virus, methicillian-resistant bacteria, and stains of the yeast Candida alvicans. It is the american alligator.
In past year’s germ fighting peptides have been isolated for amphibians for example the skin of frogs. Both reptiles and amphibians live in habitats that are hazardous and polluted. It is a known fact that these species can with stand harsh environments because of this they are of great interest in the science world.
So far they have found four or five highly active peptides that might be extremely useful in making antibiotics. By studying amphibian and reptile blood there is high hopes for discovering more pathogens that will help us fight microbes. There are many more species that live in uncleanly areas, which could bring forth more hope for discovering other antibiotics.
Posted By Julie Hachey (3b)
posted by PWH @ 3:13 PM
9 comments
9 Comments:
I never knew about these special holding powers of amphibians, but it makes sense. In order to live in the extreme conditions of most aligators, it is understandable that an organisms' genetic makeup might contain potentially valuable proteins. How far along is the research regarding these highly active peptides, and do scientists know how these proteins may be extracted? Interesting post. Something to think about and keep a watchful eye on for the future.
-- Tom FitzGerald
It's amazing to think how much we can learn from studying other organisms. It only makes sense that the species alive today have undergone natural selection to survive in the world we have polluted. It's also interesting that scientists have found the chemicals behind the healing properties of different plants and animals that have been traditionally used to cure diseases and reproduced the chemicals in the lab to distribute as medicine. Are scientists planning to do the same with the peptides found in alligators?
Posted by:
Nicole Eckart
It seems plausible that alligators have special proteins that protect them from bacteria and illnesses. They are one of the oldest living species around so they must have a good genetic make-up and easily adapt to ever mutating bacteria and germs. Have they come across other specific animals that would be helpful in developing vaccines? Great post.
Posted by:
Christine McConville
I knew that amphibians were often affected by the pollution present in their aquatic environments, but I never thought about the probable evolutionary advances that helped them adapt enough to survive in them. It makes sense, though, that they would have some strong antibodies present in their systems to help cope with these polluted environments. Hopefully these findings lead to some important advancements in medical science. Great post.
Posted by Ben Tummino
Interesting post. I never would have thought that we would be able to find ways to cure disease and fight bacteria through reptiles. Are scientists testing these natural antibiotics on humans now? Are the results truly promising? I would like to read more information about this topic. Nice blog.
Posted by: C. Varela
reptiles are a group of one of the oldest organisms we can presently study. it makes sense to study these animals to see how they have adapted over the millions of years.
Posted By Jennifer McGrath
It makes sense that animals able to survive in harsh conditions and habitats would contain something in their genetic make-up to make surviving possible. It would be wonderful to have ways to fight all of the diseases that you listed in your post. In order to extract the proteins are the aligators harmed at all?
Post By: Meaghan Elliott
This is pretty interesting to see the immune systems that these amphibians have generated. If we are able to harness these peptides for use in humans it seems that it would provide a tremendous advantage in fighting off these diseases. This is a pretty fascinating science.
Daniel O'Leary
is really interesting hoe protein can be found in this animals but i would like to know how this antibiotic are extracted from the animals
posted by rafael Leon
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