Throughout all of history humans have been trying to find new and more efficient cures. Often times these cures are based on observations of natural elements. I choose the article, Researchers Find Antimicrobial Substances in Komodo Dragon Blood from the George Mason University, because I was interested by what made their blood special compared to other creatures. The article analyzed why Komodo dragons are resistant to the bacteria found in their saliva, which is used to kill prey. Researchers noticed that the lizards “endure numerous strains of pathogenic bacteria in their saliva and recover from wounds inflicted by other dragons” which displayed that they must have a strong defense system. After examining the blood the researchers identified antimicrobial substances, which strengthen immunity. These antimicrobial components in the blood plasma could possibly be used in new cures.
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The antimicrobial substance in their blood is known as cationic antimicrobial peptides-which are small peptides found in most species and are part of the innate defense against microbes. I also learned that the method they used was bioprospecting, which is the process of discovering species that can provide remedies. Through this method they used “partial de novo peptide sequencing with transcriptome (sum of mRNA molecules in genes) assembly to identify cationic antimicrobial peptides”. Overall, this article was very enlightening about the immune defense within Komodo dragon blood and the benefit this research could bring. If the antimicrobials in the plasma can be used, then it could open up opportunities for more research and possible bacteria treatments. This just goes to show that there are undiscovered uses for things everywhere around us, and with a little research new, helpful discoveries can be
The antimicrobial substance in their blood is known as cationic antimicrobial peptides-which are small peptides found in most species and are part of the innate defense against microbes. I also learned that the method they used was bioprospecting, which is the process of discovering species that can provide remedies. Through this method they used “partial de novo peptide sequencing with transcriptome (sum of mRNA molecules in genes) assembly to identify cationic antimicrobial peptides”. Overall, this article was very enlightening about the immune defense within Komodo dragon blood and the benefit this research could bring. If the antimicrobials in the plasma can be used, then it could open up opportunities for more research and possible bacteria treatments. This just goes to show that there are undiscovered uses for things everywhere around us, and with a little research new, helpful discoveries can be