MODERN TECHNOLOGIES SPARK A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR RESEARCH
By: Stefani Sy
In the second installment of the DBS Online Lecture Series held at 1:00 in the afternoon last February 26, 2021, Ms. Pauline Dianne M. Santos, M.Sc. and Dr. Paul Richard J. Yulo shared their expertise and experiences in the research fields on the utilization of genomic sequencing in detecting information on viruses, and the evolution of bacterial cell shape, respectively.
As part of the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI) in Germany, Ms. Santos proudly introduced the HONOURs training network program, which aimed to hone the skills and knowledge of PhD students as they become full-fledged outbreak preparedness experts. With one of their focal studies being the West Nile Virus (WNV) epidemic in Germany, the organization was said to be able to detect various scientific information on the concerned virus through genomic sequencing.
Although data and results still have yet to conclude concrete modes of action for the case, details on the variants, mutations, and epidemiology of the virulent strains of the WNV have already been revealed. The assembly and investigation of genomic identities were able to provide responses to questions that a common Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or Virus Neutralization test could not answer. These pieces of information potentially paved the way for the current development of vaccines and medications that could reduce transmission of the WNV.
In the second half of the episode, Dr. Yulo expounded on his findings regarding the evolutionary trend of bacteria which began in rod shape then further developing into a spherical shape. By culturing the bacteria species Pseudomonas fluorescens, Dr. Yulo found that the presence of the mreB gene in the proteins of the bacterial cell wall was the primary cause of the change in shape. With the ease of growing and replicating bacteria, transitions between generations were easily compared from one to the other.
With this information in mind, Dr. Yulo also mentioned the relevance of this research to the fields of biology. Cell shape was said to be a major factor whether a body tissue was to be invaded by certain bacteria; thus, the necessary antibiotics would be needed to ensure that the mreB gene remained inactive and dormant. He also found that cell shape was able to depict the characteristics of microorganism communities — rod shaped bacteria had increased motility while spherical shaped ones lacked this feature.
In a contemporary world of research, advanced techniques and methods are essential in providing answers to the baffling mysteries and problems revolving about society today.
