Cancer
results from the overproduction of mutations in the cell, which proceeds in the
damage of the DNA. There are external events such as smoking and sunlight that
damages DNA, but it is mostly an internal occurrence. A study conducted in BaylorCollege of Medicine and the University of Texas of Austin was proceeded to determine
proteins that are cancer-promoting by using the bacteria E.coli as a model. Due
to the bacterium E.coli having similar biological process with humans,
Rosenberg—the leader of Cancer Evolvability Program—set out to uncover proteins
that cause damage in the DNA in ways that can eventually lead to cancer.
The team genetically modified E.coli
to over express 4,000 bacterial genes. When the protein overproduction then
turned fluorescent red this showed how it was associated to DNA damage. It was founded
that the DNA that was damaged were not directly related to the DNA, but instead
the transport of molecules across the cell membrane. It showed that the
overproduction of E.coli proteins not only caused damage to the DNA but
increase of mutations.
This research can tell be used to
further broaden our information in how there is many different ways that DNA
can be damaged. By researching more in this topic we can then find ways to
prevent or slow down ways of those that causes cancer. There could also be ways
to protect our genomes from being harmed.
This is a great article to read and I have tons of hope that this research works in the scientist favor. It seems that we, as humans, have been searching for an "answer" to prevent cancer for a while. It would save so many helpless people if it can be prevented. Also, it seems that E. coli is used in so many experiments. It is such a useful bacterium.
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