New Genus of Bacteria discovered in Hydraulic Fracturing Wells

Enoc Mendoza
Biology 1610 Section 009
Dr. Michaela A. Gazdik Stofer
February 15th, 2017

               Bacteria are among the most varied and plentiful of organisms on earth. It's not surprising to find them crawling around in lakes and rivers, underground and in the air, and even in our food and inside our bodies. But on September of 2015, a group of researchers at Ohio State University found some unexpected bacteria in shale oil and gas wells. A completely new genus of bacteria was found in these wells, and even more interesting is the fact that this bacteria was found in two completely separate wells, hundreds of miles apart. The name give to this bacteria is Canditatus Frackibacter.

               The findings of these researchers were published in the September 5th edition of their journal Nature Microbiology. The article further expounds on the several puzzling circumstances under which it was found. As mentioned above, two different ecosystems of this bacteria (along with another 30 species of previously known bacteria) were found in hydraulic fracturing wells (wells designed to pump various sediments and fluids into the ground, breaking up the earth beneath the well and releasing natural gas, or methane). Not only were the wells completely isolated from each other, but even the fracturing techniques and substances used in the processes were completely different, and the shale in either well had developed millions of years apart from the other, yet the two groups of the bacteria were almost identical. 

               What was the most interesting to me at this point in the article was how these two isolated cultures were so alike. We know that bacteria evolves relatively quickly, due to it's extremely quick reproduction rate. We certainly see the effects of natural selection when we look at bacteria developing immunities to several common antibiotics, particularly in hospitals, where antibiotics are, in a sense, part of the "environment" these bacteria have to try to thrive in. While it is true that similar ecosystems will have similar organisms naturally, it is interesting to note that even the researchers were astounded by how similar the two bacteria groups were. 

               This made me think about how isolated we are here, on earth, in comparison with the rest of the universe. Given the vastness of space and the number of stars and potential solar systems, even when we consider the extremely specific circumstances that allow our earth to function, it's not hard to imagine a planet in some solar system far away, that at least somewhat resembles our own. Everyone knows how movies, television, and the media in general have depicted so called "aliens" or otherwise foreign organisms, yet, if I was to guess as to what life would look like on another planet (if it did, in fact, exist) I would imagine that it does not look too different than our own. Life seems to require very specific circumstances in order to exist. 

               Evolution has always fascinated me, and reading this article certainly reminded me about how amazing it is. Nature in general just works so well that it's almost crazy to think that it was by natural selection, completely random mutations, and perfect circumstances that it all exists.

Source: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2016/09/05/new_genus_of_bacteria_found_living_inside_hydraulic_fracturing_wells.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+biologynews%2Fheadlines+%28Biology+News+Net%29

Mother's Blood Could Save Babies

Tyler Dorny

2/10/17

BIO 1610

Dr. Michaela A. Gazdik Stofer

            The article that I chose to read, “Secrets of Life in a Spoonful of Blood,” by Calire Ainsworth, discusses the possibility of using the blood of a pregnant mother to detect what chronic illnesses or abnormalities the baby may be born with. And if we can detect these abnormalities, it could be possible to prevent them.

            There are now improved manners for researchers to be able to monitor the genes of a fetus, allowing them to see what genes are remaining active and also viewing those that are not functioning correctly, all obtained through placental samples. However, it is now the goal in some parts of the medical community to find this information using only the blood of the mother. The reasoning for this is to develop a non-invasive method to obtain the genetic information of the fetus, without having to use samples from the placenta. According to the article by Ainsworth, some physicians are already stepping forward with this objective in order to diagnosis and treat the fetus.

            It would be extremely beneficial to know how healthy the baby will be when born, how they are developing, and to be prepared to treat or even repair complications with the fetus. There are many chronic illnesses that are hereditary, and this gives the possibility of spotting these imperfections, and eventually being able to correct them. Mutations can also form from errors in genetic code, and one day this could be fixed as well. Some researchers are now pushing for the ability to sequence the entire genome of a fetus, allowing the viewing of all stages of development, in order to catch irregularities whenever they may appear.

            There are some experiments already undergoing to begin such diagnoses. Geneticist Diana Bianchi has begun studying RNA molecules from the fetus and the placenta to discover more clues in regards to correcting mutations in the fetus genome. Bianchi has especially studied those with chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down’s syndrome, and has performed some experiments on mice using molecules that could reverse the error. The experiments have come back with some success, meaning that we are even closer to curing Down’s syndrome, along with various other mutations or inherited illnesses.

            There are a few obstacles that impede the progress of this research. One is the cost. The other issues are more ethical, as they may give false hope to some. Just because a fetus was fixed to no longer inherit a particular gene or a mutation was corrected by a molecule that reversed the error, does not mean that the child will not still be sick or unhealthy at some point in life. Diabetes can be formed by many different ways, including unhealthy lifestyles and limited access to health care. There is also the concern of finding an error in the fetus that is known to cause issues, but does not always. The question will then rise as to what the doctor should decide to do in such a scenario.

            I myself have been diagnosed with two chronic illnesses, one being type 1 diabetes. My father also has type 1 diabetes. I support this research in the hopes that perhaps one day, I can correct the genetics that my children will receive from me and decrease their chances of also being diagnosed with diabetes. I do understand the concerns of some, especially since we will all be sick with something at some point in our lives, but I do believe that this research can correct and benefit the future lives of children by potentially eliminating many of the chronic illnesses and abnormalities that may be present while the fetus is developing.

http://www.nature.com/news/secrets-of-life-in-a-spoonful-of-blood-1.21430