Importance of bacteria

Hey guys

Did you notice that I have talked many times about bacterial subjects here?

For you who are just starting to discover the microbiology world and do not know a lot about bacteria, I will do a briefly introduction about these invisible but important bugs for our world.

Bacteria are a microscopic group of organisms present everywhere in the earth. They can live in environments without oxygen, with the coldest or hottest temperatures, high acid and salt concentration, and even in the human body.

What we all know is that bacteria cause food poisoning and infectious diseases in humans such as tetanus, syphilis, cholera and tuberculosis. So there you are thinking that they are all bad and should not exist.

However, most of them are harmless and many are beneficial. Bacteria take place in food and pharmaceutical industry and in the human health. For example, bacteria participate in the production of yogurt and cheese, and they are also used to produce some medicines, like antibiotics and insulin.

Bacteria are crucial for the human body for many reasons. They always keep our immune system in alert and protect us against other pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, bacteria are essential to the food digestion that occurs in the intestine and consequently nutrient absorption.

Now, the most spectacular thing. The human body carries more bacterial cells than even human cells. Yes, that is right. The human body has approximately 10 trillion of human cells and is colonized by 100 trillion of bacterial cells.

So, do not be mad with bacteria, they are amazing and essential for our life.

Owl Pellet Dissection: An Opportunity For The Study Of Vertebrate Skeleton

Did you know that the dissection of owl pellets can be a great exercise for the study of comparative anatomy?

           Owls are a group of highly efficient nocturnal birds of prey. Therefore, they present adaptations and hunting skills such as an excellent vision (vide their large eyes) great audition and specialized feathers to promote a silent flight.

      As generalist predators they could feed on various animals, from invertebrates (such as insects) to large vertebrates. However, these birds do not have the ability to chew their food and so the prey are swallowed whole. The soft tissues are digested to nourish them and then the undigested portions as feathers, hair, bones and teeth are compressed into a pellet and subsequently regurgitated.

     

     Given that,in one of my classes we had to identify through the pellets  dissected which bones were present and assume which animals were predated according to the pattern of bones that has each group. Through the analysis of these pellets is important to understand the preferences of the animal, as well as the dynamics of prey in a given ecosystem. It was expected to find bones of rodents, moles, shrews and birds in separate pellets or even in the same one.

Expectation...

My Owl Pellet 

Some bones separated (red box) from the fur.

  

 The bones are sets that follow a similar pattern in vertebrates - allowing the study of comparative anatomy.

Primates are awesome!

       However much someone is uninterested in nature, a primate never goes unnoticed. This is explained simply by the fact that these lovely creatures have characteristics, either physical or behavioral, that somewhat resemble us.     In both semesters here I took two classes at another University (Tulane University) which study our beloved "relatives".
These are:
- Primate behavior and ecology
- Primate Evolution and adaptation   

      Well, the classes include everything of  the biology, taxonomy, behavior, ecology and evolution of the primate order. Since the university is located right next to one of the best zoos in the United States (TripAdvisor Popularity ranking), the Audubon Zoo, the classes also relied on observation activities in the field. The park has thirteen different primates in an area called "World of Primates".  
     I already learned a lot about behavior and main characteristics of the groups and I feel very rewarded to have taken these classes because in Brazil I have no access to specific disciplines about primates in my undergraduate school.

Here are some nice pictures I took of these cuties. It's impossible not to fall in love with them!

The Black and White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata)

 The Talapoin monkeys (Miopithecus talapoin)

The White-Faced Saki (Pithecia pithecia)

My friend from Brazil! 
The Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) 

Eastern Black and White Colobus (Colobus guereza)

The Drill Baboon (Mandrillus leucophaeus)

Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus)

My favorite!
Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) 

How cute is that? 

Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)

He is playing the tough guy...

Spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) 

Antimicrobial Peptides

             Supported by the huge antimicrobial antibiotic resistance in recent decades, the development and discover of alternative and more successful treatments has been encouraged by researches and doctors. One alternative treatment that seems promising way to kill microorganisms by their broad microbial activity is antimicrobial peptides (Zasloff, 2002).

 

 

3D structure of some antimicrobial peptides

 

              Antimicrobial peptides are small peptides (15-45 amino acids residues), that are naturally produced by the immune system, and they act via disruption of bacterial membranes, thereby increasing their permeability and decreasing integrity (Shai, 2002).  Antimicrobial peptides show little tendency for microbial resistance, due to the lack of a macromolecular target and to the large energetic cost for microorganisms to reorganize their membrane surface (Wimley, 2011).

            

              However, antimicrobial peptides have some characteristics (e.g. solubility, cost, degradation) that limit their use into topical and surface sterilization applications. Still, AMPs are used in situations where the environment can be varied such as in ointments and mouthwashes. Therefore, study the effects of environmental factors, such as pH and salt concentration, on the efficiency of antimicrobial peptides in directly killing bacteria has been encouraged.
           

            Understanding environmental factors' relation with the efficiency of antimicrobial peptides can have many advantages for treatment of resistant bacteria. For example, some toxic ions can have synergist effects when combined with antimicrobial peptides, allowing lower doses of peptide which means cost saving, once it is expensive when compared with conventional antibiotics. Moreover, lower doses of peptide and toxic ions can also decrease side effects of treatment.

 

Comparative Anatomy

Hey all,

here I am again to tell you a little bit more about my internship as a science major here. So, I have taken different classes and one of them was the Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates, a class taught by the professor Dr.Hood here at Loyola. Sounds hard, huh? And it was. Although I've learned a lot during this class since I took the lecture and the lab. The lecture required a lot (I mean A LOT) of reading and dedication otherwise you would not be able to understand the classes and neither the lab.

In the lab with my friends!

We labeled all this points to compare and figure out relations of ontogeny or phylogeny between different types of skull 

          Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy is a course concerning the evolution of vertebrates. We explored how vertebrates originated, their characteristic anatomical and physiological features, how they developed, and how those features allow vertebrates to perceive their environment, seek prey, avoid predators, maintain homeostasis and basically do everything an organism must do to live. The vertebrate body is not simply a collection of static anatomy, but that the form and function of vertebrates is integrated into functional systems.

                                        

Different types of teeth

It was a great experience since I learned how to identify homologies and analogy between structures in the vertebrate’s skeleton and the relevance of form in function of several structures, including the teeth. We also learned the biomechanics of the vertebrate skeleton and the most diverse types of locomotion and its implications.

Last but not least, we learned all the systems that compose the body of vertebrates from its functioning until the name of its main structures.

                                                                   Dissection class

Ps: remember that the animal was already preserved.

Did You Know That You Can Have Been Eaten The Wrong Fish?

Have you though if the fish that you eat is really what is in the Label?

Researches groups have been analyzing fish samples from sushi stores and restaurants and showing that some of the fish sold are mislabeled. The specie identification is made by DNA extraction followed by PCR and DNA sequencing.

 

 

A study made by the American Museum of Natural History have found that 52% of the stores submitted to the DNA identification, from New York City and Denver, have sold mislabeled fish. A study made in Brazil, by the private company Myleus funded by my university back home (UFMG) =] , found that 24% of samples analyzed were mislabeled. Their conclusions are that most of the mislabeled fish sold were actually a cheaper fish. However, the most scare thing is that they found mislabeled samples that are a critically endanger specie and some species that can lead to allergy reactions.

The specie identification of fish by DNA sequencing is good for the consumer that wants to consume what is announced; but also for the seller, to guarantee that he is selling what he really meant.

In the links bellow you can find that article from the American Museum of Natural History and the website of the company Myleus.

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2773415/

 

http://www.myleus.com/

How Contagious Is Ebola?

Ebola has been a major threat in Africa since last year, killing thousands of people worldwide. The disease first appear in 1976, but after almost 40 years, no vaccine or treatment have been developed to combat Ebola yet.

However, the diseases is not contagious, as it seems to be. The image bellow compare the contagiousness of the virus Ebola with other diseases.  

Also, check out the video below to better understand why the virus is not airbone and comprehend why the virus is not as contagious other virus.

CNN: Why isn't Ebola airborne? http://cnn.it/1NZDqk6

You can only get Ebola touching contaminated body fluids or objects that are infected by the virus.

So guys, do not forget! Wash your hands often, to combat Ebola and other virus infections. 

Research Presentation by Brazilian Students at Loyola University New Orleans

Hello guys! Last week a group of brazilians presented their respective researchers at Loyola! Check out the video!

Introducing Myself II

Hello followers!! 

Here, it is my introduction, about the second author of the blog, Gabriel Bretz, ME!

Thank God It's Friday 

So, I am also from Brazil and currently doing an exchange program at Loyola University New Orleans. I am so happy to have this opportunity, especially because I am in an awesome city. I love New Orleans.

My major is Biomedicine, which combines the fields of biology and medicine. So, it is a little different from Grazi that study animals, plants and ecology and I study only the human body, diseases and clinical analysis. With that, we intent to write about most of the topics that biological sciences cover.

My goal for this blog is to share important scientific moments that I have experienced, but also to bring some cool science information for y’all.

I hope y’all enjoy the content, start to follow the blog and come back here frequently.

Take it easy.

Research Conducted in Brazil - PART II

Second project: Photo dynamic Therapy Against Pathogenic Microorganisms

 

     Antimicrobial Photodynamic therapy (aPDT) employs the combination of a photo absorber (dye) with a source of visible light of a specific wavelength for the control of microorganisms. The aPDT demonstrates efficacy against bacteria and fungi and displays a number of other favorable characteristics, such as the non-association between its use and selection of resistant bacteria. Thereby, aPDT has been considered a promising alternative to the conventional therapeutic approach for the control of different infectious diseases. Considering the importance of the spread of bacterial resistance to conventional antimicrobial drugs, the search for natural dyes, like curcumin, with cytotoxic activity against clinically relevant microorganisms, as an alternative to synthetic, already widely used, has been increasingly intense.

    The study that I participated was conducted in order to evaluate the activity of curcumin against the species Lactobacillus acidophilus, important agent of dental caries, Propionibacterium acnes, associated with various infections, in particular acne vulgaris, and Staphylococcus epidermidis associated with the pathogenesis of opportunistic infections, especially surgical wound and bloodstream.

    Intermediary results suggest that the treatment used was able to completely eliminate L. acidophilus, P. acnes, and S. epidermides. The next step of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of aPDT in lower treatment times, in order to better characterize the antibacterial activity of curcumin.

Research Conducted in Brazil

In my first year of college, I began to do research in a microbiology laboratory. I stayed there until I come to the United States and participated in two projects. I have learned many things from this experience that are very important for my college carrier.

First project: Antagonist Acitivity of Shigella sonnei: Extraction, Purification and Characterization of Bacteriocins

     Bacteriocins are antibacterial substances produced by a wide range of taxa, including Shigella. The genus includes four species, all agents of acute enteritis, extremely prevalent disease, especially in less developed regions. Bacteriocins contribute to the virulence of the bacteria, and it is plausible to assume that the synthesis of such substances explain the low infectious dose of the microorganism. Considering the importance of the subject and the lack of research in this topic, we have proposed the development of a project to study the production of bacteriocins by a sample of isolated S. sonnei from child with acute diarrhea.



Look how cool and beautiful they are!

    The test sample, previously known to express antagonism, was submitted to protein extraction and the precipitated intracellular extract (C75) was selected for subsequent stages of the project. First, we aim to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of C75. The value of MIC and MBC was 200UA/mL. The equivalence of these values showed that C75 has bactericidal activity and this setting was an important step in the characterization of the substance.

    Thereafter, C75 was purified by sequential chromatography steps and obtained active fractions were analyzed by mass spectrometer. The data obtained indicate that enable proteins were partially purified. Several proteins have been sequenced, and none of them had similar sequence already described. There was some identity between antagonist proteins and enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid synthesis and in the quorum sensing process. Also sequences similar to unknown function proteins were obtained.

     Our results suggest that the S. sonnei sample synthesizes bacteriocins not yet described or, alternatively, proteins already described which function as an antagonist substance has not been identified yet. The optimization of the purification protocol used is an essential step in the detailed characterization of the bacteriocins.

Introducing Myself

One of my favorite classes ever back home: Zoology!

 

         Hey all! I am Grazielli Pena an exchange student from Brazil and currently I am studying at Loyola University New Orleans. I am almost finishing my Junior year of my Biology major back home and I came here to study more of what I most love. It has been REALLY difficult and challenging since I put my feet here but also it has been a wonderful experience.

         I have started doing research there as well with obesity but I didn't finish it (but I will, I will...). Here, I am engaging in a study of birds behavior (totally different, huh?) at Tulane.

         I want to show you all what is science for us and a little bit of our exciting experience!
We have a lot to share and I hope you guys enjoy this journey through the world of science.
So, please, save our link in your desktop, favorites, notebook or whatever and wait for it!

        We plan to post every week videos of the work of each of us in the laboratories (yes, there are other brazilians here), field trips and any category of curiosities and scientific news.

See you!

Science Without Borders

Watch now!!

We developed this video with the intention to explain and divulgate the exchange program that brought us to an American University.
Also, if you want to know more about the program check the website:
http://www.cienciasemfronteiras.gov.br/web/csf-eng/

Blog Introduction

This blog was created with the intention to share scientific moments that we have experienced. The authors and bloggers are Gabriel Bretz and Grazielli Pena, both Brazilian students at the Loyola University New Orleans. We hope that you enjoy and learn from our posts!

Thank you and have fun!