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Gastrointestinal Bacteria - 6/22/2011 2:11:00 AM

DeviantlyD

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This is a really cool article on bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and some of the more recent thinking on how it impacts us.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2011/06/10/137084528/gut-bacteria-know-secrets-about-your-future#more

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RE: Gastrointestinal Bacteria - 6/22/2011 2:21:26 AM

LinnaeaBorealis

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Wow!! That's fascinating. Of course the sample sizes are way small & based on such small samples, I think that reporting the findings is very premature. But, dang!!! I love science!!!!!

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RE: Gastrointestinal Bacteria - 6/22/2011 2:31:11 AM

DeviantlyD

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quote:

ORIGINAL: LinnaeaBorealis

But, dang!!! I love science!!!!!

Me too! And there have been so many new discoveries and observations since I was in school. It makes me want to learn more, but where's the time? *sighs*

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RE: Gastrointestinal Bacteria - 6/22/2011 2:31:56 AM

Outlier2

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Here is a fine TED talk to accompany that information.

You know how they are speculating that the bacteria may
be communicating with each other to "take over" the gut.
Bonnie Bassler and her team are figuring out: How Bacteria Talk

The consequences for medicine could be amazing.
Oh, by the way, not only do they "talk"; they are bilingual.

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RE: Gastrointestinal Bacteria - 6/22/2011 3:28:35 AM

DeviantlyD

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That was cool! But I can't help wonder a couple of things. The speaker talked about using a chemical that would mimic the generic enzyme that is involved in inter-communications to be used as a broad spectrum antibiotic. But...what about the normal flora? That's going to muck up the "good" bacteria and their communications. I guess it isn't too much different than what may happen now with some antibiotics, but this is different in that it would be a true broad spectrum with an affinity for all bacterial types. The other question I can't help wonder about is...how long will it take before mutant forms of bacteria (where the cellular receptors are mutated) arise and potentially allow for an alternate form of communication that isn't present in the antibiotic? I found it very interesting to see the six carbon ring that is the identical portion of the enzymes found with intracellular communication. It suggests that all bacteria had a common ancestor, as does the inter-cellular communication enzyme. Very interesting. I can't help think of what one of my med micro profs said about pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria...something along the lines of being bacteria that hadn't figured out a way to get along with their host, or be symbiotic because it does bacteria no good to kill their host. Eventually they will die off as their host is consumed. They have a better chance of survival if they can live in harmony with their host. It made sense. :)

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RE: Gastrointestinal Bacteria - 6/22/2011 6:00:59 AM

pahunkboy

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Global warming could alter the bacteria in our intestines and we all will die.

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RE: Gastrointestinal Bacteria - 6/22/2011 9:30:18 AM

Aylee

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Outlier2

Here is a fine TED talk to accompany that information.

You know how they are speculating that the bacteria may
be communicating with each other to "take over" the gut.
Bonnie Bassler and her team are figuring out: How Bacteria Talk

The consequences for medicine could be amazing.
Oh, by the way, not only do they "talk"; they are bilingual.

This reminds me of the Descolada virus on Lusitania from Orson Scott Card. Nifty!

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RE: Gastrointestinal Bacteria - 6/22/2011 9:33:49 AM

mnottertail

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Gutbugs of the world unite!!!

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RE: Gastrointestinal Bacteria - 6/22/2011 10:24:41 AM

DeviantlyD

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quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

Global warming could alter the bacteria in our intestines and we all will die.

*LOL* You really know nothing about microbiology, nor the physiology of the human body, do you?

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RE: Gastrointestinal Bacteria - 6/22/2011 10:43:19 AM

Outlier2

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DeviantlyD,

I am glad you thought her work and her presentation was cool.

Here is a longer version that she gave at KITP when she gave
a guest lecture. http://online.kitp.ucsb.edu/online/plecture/bbassler11/

More illustrations and more concept development. Enjoy!

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Worth the time, the thought - or rather, the thoughtfulness -and, often, the waiting."
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RE: Gastrointestinal Bacteria - 6/22/2011 11:01:18 AM

JstAnotherSub

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They discussed fecal transplants yesterday on the Doctors. It really is amazing what science can do.

quote:

There's little doubt this treatment has an image problem. Feces, including important bowel flora, is transferred from a volunteer donor – screened to limit possible other infections – into the colon of the infected patient. The treatment can be administered by a colonoscope or an enema, or by the mouth or the nose.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/01/19/scientists-perform-fecal-transplant-treat-hospital-infection/#ixzz1Q1rNamni

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RE: Gastrointestinal Bacteria - 6/22/2011 8:39:33 PM

DeviantlyD

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Outlier2

DeviantlyD,

I am glad you thought her work and her presentation was cool.

Here is a longer version that she gave at KITP when she gave
a guest lecture. http://online.kitp.ucsb.edu/online/plecture/bbassler11/

More illustrations and more concept development. Enjoy!

I will check it out later this week. Thanks! :)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JstAnotherSub

They discussed fecal transplants yesterday on the Doctors. It really is amazing what science can do.

quote:

There's little doubt this treatment has an image problem. Feces, including important bowel flora, is transferred from a volunteer donor – screened to limit possible other infections – into the colon of the infected patient. The treatment can be administered by a colonoscope or an enema, or by the mouth or the nose.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/01/19/scientists-perform-fecal-transplant-treat-hospital-infection/#ixzz1Q1rNamni