Genetically Modified Petunias Glow with Bioluminescence

A new plant has recently hit the market with a unique property: bioluminescence. According to an article from NPR, The Firefly Petunia, a genetically modified plant capable of glowing in the dark, was created by a scientist Keith Wood. Wood, who delved into various research endeavors, primarily focused on investigating bioluminescent properties. However, it wasn't until Wood inserted a firefly gene into a tobacco plant that the magic of bioluminescence became apparent.

Although named after fireflies, the plant does not contain any genes from them. Instead, it incorporates four genes from a bioluminescent mushroom and a fifth gene from another fungus. These genes collaborate to convert a metabolite into what Wood terms an "intermediate," which is then utilized as fuel for bioluminescence by the subsequent gene.

Wood explains that this groundbreaking discovery serves a singular purpose: enjoyment. The Firefly Petunia represents a whimsical addition to any garden, lending a distinct charm to the coming summer nights. Such scientific endeavors offer a refreshing departure from the rigors of conventional genetic research, highlighting the playful and magical aspects of science. I believe that Wood's creation exemplifies the fusion of scientific innovation with the pursuit of delight, resulting in something truly extraordinary.

 

In A First, Genetically Modified Silkworms Produced Pure Spider Silk

In a first, genetically modified silkworms produced pure spider silk (sciencenews.org)

Spider silk is five times stronger than steel—now, scientists know why | Science | AAAS

What Is Silk Used For? (12 Uses of Silk Today) (sewingiscool.com)

    Spider silk is known for its toughness and durability that comes from spiders. Spiders are known as territorial anthropods who use their silk for hunting/prey purposes. This is why the article explained how it wasn't easy to cause the spiders to produce silk. Spider silk is known to be tougher than steel and kevlar which is used in making bulletproof vests. Researchers from China have found to make pure spider silk using genetically modified silkworms. Even though the spider silk was made it doesn't compare to the strength of natural spider silk. These scientists tried multiple organisms before using silkworms to make modified spider silk. Silkworms are difficult organisms to work with but their body is made to create silk naturally. Although the team made this discovery their goal is to develop stronger silk that can help in the manufacture of silk fibers to improve the production of pillowcases, bandage dressings, prosthetic arteries, etc.  

Human Brain Genes Introduced to Macaques

Researches in China believed it would be a good idea to give monkeys human brain genes. Human copies of the MCPH1 gene were introduced into 11 macaque embryos. This gene is known to have an important role in the development of the brain in humans. This gene was introduced to embryos with a virus that carried the gene. Out of the 11 monkeys, only five survived. These five monkeys were tested, including MRI brain scans as well as memory tests. A controlled group was part of the experiment so they could make comparisons. The results showed that the tested macaques did not have bigger brains compared to the control group. One of the differences was that the tested macaques showed better results in short term memory tasks. Also, just like human brains, their brain developed over a long period of time. The main objective of this experiment, according to the researchers was to question the genetic basis of human brain. How the human brain have its own unique intelligence, which other primates do not have. The experiment was extended by using other genes such as SRGAP2C which is related to intelligence and FOXP2 related to speech and language.

This picture shows five cloned macaques 

If the monkeys being experimented end up being more smart like humans, then where are these monkeys going to end up? most likely locked up. The will not have a normal life or might not even like the same things that regular monkeys like including food. Overall, this is probably only causing harm to the macaques. Of course it would be interesting to learn and research on how evolution happened but what is the cost? very unfair to all the innocent animals.

Scientists direct bacteria with expanded genetic code to evolve extreme heat tolerance

In recent years, scientists have engineered bacteria with expanded genetic codes that produce proteins made from a wider range of molecular building blocks, opening up a promising front in protein engineering.

Thermophiles, or thermophilic bacteria, are a type of extreme bacteria (extremophiles) that thrive in temperatures above 131 degrees Fahrenheit (55 Celsius).

Exposing bacteria with an artificially expanded genetic code to temperatures at which they cannot normally grow, the researchers found that some of the bacteria evolved new heat-resistant proteins that remain stable at temperatures where they would typically inactivate.

The scientists started by tweaking the genome of E. coli so that the bacteria could produce the protein homoserine o-succinyltransferase (metA) using a 21 amino acid code instead of the common 20 amino acid code. Above that temperature, metA begins to inactivate and the bacteria die. At this point, they let natural selection work. Heating the bacteria to 44 degrees Celsius, which is a temperature at which this bacteria cannot survive, the scientists put selective pressure on the bacteria population. As expected, some of the mutant bacteria were able to survive beyond their typical temperature ceiling, thanks to possessing a mutant metA that was more heat stable, all other bacteria died.

The researchers then identified the specific genetic sequence change that resulted in the mutant metA and found it was due to the unique chemical properties of one of their noncanonical amino acids that laboratory evolution exploited in a clever way to stabilize the protein.

Source: 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181128082729.htm  Science Daily 

https://sciencing.com/examples-heatresistant-bacteria-20175.html  Heat-Resistant Bacteria

Chinese Scientist Claims to Use Crispr to Make First Genetically Edited Babies

          Ever since CRISPR, a type of gene editing process, became prevalent scientists have worked hard to perfect the process and be sure not abuse it's powerful abilities.  Even some nations banned scientists from having the ability to genetically modify human beings, due to the fact of having the ability to alter a child's I.Q. to the color of their eyes.  CRISPR was meant to be used to genetically engineer life-threading medical conditions and diseases, not the ability to be smart or athletic.
          On Monday, November 26, 2018 the unimaginable came true and a scientist from China, He Jiankui, announced before the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing in Hong Kong, that he genetically edited two girls who were just born this month.  Before implanting the embryos in the mother's womb, scientist Jiankui edited the babies to be resistant to the H.I.V. infection.  The only thing is that He Jiankui did not provide any data or evidence to prove his work in the lab.  Dr. He claims that he found a male who had H.I.V. and then used in vitro fertilization to produce embryos resistant to the viruses that can cause AIDS.  He used CRISPR-CAS9 to disable CCR, a specific gene that produces the protein H.I.V. needs to enter cells.
          Even though it is illegal to do such actions in the United States, it was not yet illegal in China, but other Chinese scientists do not agree with Dr. He's actions and believe what he did was crazy.  A group of researchers believe what he did was unethical because there are other ways H.I.V. can be prevented in newborns and ruins the reputation of Chinese science so far.  Dr. He then states that "I feel a strong responsibility that it's not just to make a first, but also make it an example""Society will decide what to do next." (Kolata and Wee and Belluck, 2018) Some question why Dr. He did something medically unnecessary, what do you believe about his research?

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/26/health/gene-editing-babies-china.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth&action=click&contentCollection=health&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront  

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/chinese-scientist-says-he-made-gene-edited-twins-using-crispr-n940026