Space-breeding Research Center

China wanted to increase the yield and quality of crops. So, the Chinese government researchers launched 8 recoverable satellites and 5 high-altitude balloons, that exposed seeds of vegetables and flowers to cosmic radiation and triggered mutations, in the space. Those seeds were then brought back on earth to be sown. These satellites also contained bacteria to see how high-energy radiation affected them. With hundreds of space-breeding experiments being done, many seeds were successfully selected because they were more resistant to drought and main diseases.

Even after exposure to a high dosage of radiation, it was concluded that the seeds contained no trace of any radioactive substance after extensive testing. Researchers are also combining biological techniques such as genetic sequencing, molecular labeling and gene editing to help improve the efficiency of new crop species.

“The question is, should we stick entirely to the pace of nature, or give it a little boost?” Dr. Li Jingzhao, a scientist involved in the program, asked.

I think this program is an important one because it improves the economy, scientific research, and biodiversity. We are exposed to radiation every day, with human activities, we are exposed to radiation even at more (and there are consequences) but as long as my food is safe, I say you scientists go for the ride! 

Article publication: South China Morning Post on November 7, 2019.
Article URL: https://www.abacusnews.com/culture/china-wants-produce-mutant-crops-space/article/3036708

Related article: http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-00zb.html

Chemicals Found in Vegetables Prevent Colon Cancer in Mice

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A research team from the Francis Crick Institute discovered that mice that were fed a diet that had a high amount of indole-3-carbinol were protected from inflammation and cancer in the colon. Indole-3-carbinol is a compound that is produced when we digest vegetables that belong to the Brassica genus, which includes broccoli, cabbage, and kale. The study examined how indole-3-carbinol can prevent colon cancer and inflammation through the activation of a protein that is known as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). AhR is an environmental sensor that protects the lining of the lower digestive tract to protect the body from the bacteria that inhabit it.

The research teams studied genetically modified mice that could not produce or activate AhR, which quickly led to colon cancer. Dr. Amina Metidji discovered that when the mice were fed a diet that included high amounts of I3C, they did not develop inflammation or cancer. When the mice that had cancer were fed the I3C diet, they developed less tumors. The tumors that developed, however, were mostly benign instead of malignant.

The researchers also discovered that AhR also repairs damaged epithelial cells by studying ‘mini guts’ made from stem cells. Epithelial cells form the lining of the organs and serve a vital role in sensing, secretion, and absorption. They discovered that the intestinal stem cells divided rapidly instead of developing into epithelial cells when AhR was absent. However, they also found that chemicals that promote AhR corrected defects and restored epithelial cell differentiation.

The I3C diet also had an effect on normal mice, since the normal mice that were fed the I3C diet or standard food did not develop tumors during the study. However, normal mice that were fed a control diet developed tumors. The purified control diet consisted of exact mixtures of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fiber that were enriched with vitamins and minerals. The control diet, however, had less AhR-promoting chemicals than the I3C diet. According to Dr. Chris Schiering, this section of the study suggested that a low-vegetable diet can lead to colon cancer, even without genetic risk factors.


I thought that this discovery was important because it showed that vegetables are a crucial part of a healthy diet and that they play an important role in reducing a person's risk of getting cancer. The discovery also showed that even with genetic risk factors, a diet rich with I3C can reduce the severity of certain colon cancer symptoms and possibly prevent colon cancer from developing in people who are at risk. This discovery makes me wonder if that diet could be effective for people who are prone to inflammation in their intestines due to inflammatory bowel diseases. For example, Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can increase a person's chances of getting colon cancer. This makes me wonder if the Brassica genus could help people who have these conditions, reduce their risk of cancer, and alleviate certain symptoms.

References

Amina Metidji, Sara Omenetti, Stefania Crotta, Ying Li, Emma Nye, Ellie Ross, Vivian Li, Muralidhara R. Maradana, Chris Schiering, Brigitta Stockinger. The Environmental Sensor AHR Protects from Inflammatory Damage by Maintaining Intestinal Stem Cell Homeostasis and Barrier Integrity. Immunity, 2018; DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2018.07.010

Broccoli vs. Type 2 Diabetes

An article published on ScienceDaily explained a recent study done on the effects of broccoli against diabetes, specifically type 2. Diabetes is a disease affecting blood glucose levels. This disease can lead to other health issues later down the line, especially if left untreated. Metformin is a commonly prescribed medication that helps with keeping blood glucose levels under control. However, due to side affects and risks, many patients suffering from type 2 diabetes cannot take it. Annika Axelsson and a team conducted the experiment to find what may reverse the gene expression changes that are causing type 2 diabetes. "The researchers constructed a signature for type 2 diabetes based on 50 genes, then used publically available expression datasets to screen 3,852 compounds for drugs that potentially reverse disease." During their study, they found that the most potent and useful chemical was sulforaphane, which happens to be found in broccoli (also kale, cauliflower, cabbage, etc). This chemical "tamped down glucose production by liver cells growing in culture, and shifted liver gene expression away from a diseased state in diabetic rats." For Axelsson's study, 97 type 2 diabetes patients were used to conduct the 12 week placebo-control experiment with broccoli sprouts. The obese patients partaking in the study showed immensely lowered fasting blood sugar levels compared to those taking the control. The development of gene signatures for studies of gene expression seemed to be an extremely successful method of operation in this experiment. My grandfather suffers from diabetes, as well as many other people that I know. They take medication after medication daily to keep their glucose levels under control. I understand that medication can be useful for certain things, but I believe that science has so many more creative things up its sleeves to replace the medications. Broccoli has been scientifically proven to do the same thing that a medication does. Who knows, maybe in a few decades from now medicine will have an entirely knew face (veggies)!

A Genetic Fix to Put the Taste Back in Tomatoes

Dr. Harry J. Klee and his colleagues from University of Florida, explain how the delicious taste of tomatoes has been drained over the decades. Your average tomatoes found at the supermarket contain a bland taste, sugar and chemicals. Over the course of years, they sequenced the full genome of 400 tomatoes heirloom, wild and modern. After analyzing they were able to identify 26 genes providing flavorful volatiles. Dr. Klee produced these tomatoes and held a taste panel of different groups. Between men and women, between young and old, between foodies and nonfoodies.  From the results he walked alway bothered, we have trained the young generations to pick the supermarket tomatoes than a good old flavorful tomato. For those who did enjoyed the tasty tomatoes or who is interested may for a small donation of $10 receive a packet of seeds of this new best-tasting heirloom and modern variety.

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies!

Fruits and vegetables can help fight cataracts according to an article by Roni Rabin. Cataracts are usually associated with a break down of lens microarchitecture and mostly occurs in older people. However, a new study shows that diet might play a greater role than genetics in their progression.

Britain studied about 1,000 pairs of female twins who were the average age of 60. They asked them detailed questions about their daily nutrient intake. The twins then underwent digital imaging of the eye for progression of cataracts. The researchers found that the women who had a diet rich in vitamin C, had a 20 percent lower risk in cataracts than those who did not. A rich diet in vitamin C includes two or more servings of vegetables and two or more servings of fruits per day.

Ten years later, scientists followed up with 324 of the twin pairs and they found that those who consumed more vitamin C, had a 33 percent lower risk of cataracts progressing than those who did not. The researchers concluded that environmental factors, including diet, account for 65 percent of cataract progression, where as genetic factors only account for 35 percent. So make sure to eat your fruits and veggies that are rich in vitamin C such as, oranges, kiwi and dark leafy greens!

I am glad I came upon this article because it has instilled how important eating fruits and vegetables everyday really is. Hopefully my level of vitamin C decreases my cataract progression in the future.

Scientists Figure Out How to Genetically Yield More Crops

In the article I read, researchers from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that they can change a tomatoes genes to produce more growth. They have been working on this experiment for many years and finally figured out the key. Researchers started off knowing that the shoots and leaves were important factors regarding the vegetative growth and flower production. In flowering pants these two things (vegetative growth and flower production) are controlled by florigen and anti-florigen, which counteracts the florigen. The researchers found different gene mutations that affect the balance between florigen and anti-florigen to their specific needs. They tested many different times and found the genetic toolkit that yielded the most, and biggest fruit. They also tested in different backgrounds, years and environments to make sure this information was beneficial everywhere.  They even found out what to do to make different fruiting vegetables beneficial for the specific needs of the farmer. According to researchers this can be done for a number of different fruiting plants. Also, this is an important study because 1 in 8 people alive today are starving. Hopefully, this can be a start to end world hunger.

 

This is amazing to me because I think that world hunger is a serious problem that is very overlooked and any bit of science that can help is important. I have also always been amazed artificial selection because I think it is so interesting how you can do change a plant or animal to meet whatever specific needs you are looking for. I know this discovery will not end world hunger but I hope it can help with some of the problem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diet Can Override Genetics

Researchers have determined that the 9p21 gene greatly increases an individual's risk of having heart disease.  According to Science Daily, individuals who unfortunately inherit this gene are not necessarily doomed. McGill University states a diet rich in fruits and vegetables substantially reduces the effects of the 9p21 gene.  27,000 individuals from European, South Asian, Chinese, Latin American and Arab countries were observed.  The individuals with the gene 9p21 who ate healthy had the equivalent risk to having a heart attack as an individual without the gene who ate an average diet.  The NY Daily News reports the same findings as Science Daily.  The NY Daily News reports that 20% of people carry the 9p21 gene; however, "Healthy eating can help fight genetic predisposition".  It is encouraging to realize that various heart diseases could be avoided despite poor genetics.  In my opinion a healthy diet could greatly reduce the risk of various diseases despite inheriting "bad genes".  I encourage those of you with a poor diet to consider healthier alternatives.

An Apple a Day Keeps Bad Genes At Bay

For years, the belief that mutated genes passed on from generation to generation could not be corrected.  Researchers at McMaster and McGill universities are now questioning this theory. 9p21 is a gene that greatly influences many cardiovascular diseases. Scientists Michael G. DeGroote, Dr. Ron Do and collaborating colleagues found that a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables significantly decreases the effects of a "faulty" 9p21 gene. The study was performed on 27,000 individuals which included European, South Asian, Chinese, Latin American and Arab ethnic groups. Their research suggests that a "five a day" diet is a significant way to improve your overall health and longevity. More importantly, however, their research shows that individuals with a high risk genotype for cardiovascular disease can significantly be lowered with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

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