Tag: Natural GMOs
Photosynthetic Animals?
Some of our readers have heard about the many known naturally-occurring Natural GMOs out there, such as Pea Aphids. Nature, it appears is a lot more creative with the different forms of life that evolve than people might think. Well, three interesting creatures make an appearance on this episode of the SciShow – animals that…
Is Genetic Engineering Kosher?
Hi, I’m Ariela. I am studying nutrition sciences (dietetics) at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. I have a bachelors in sociology from UC Davis, and I am interested in the sociological aspects of people’s lives, especially food and culture. Hanukkah started last night at sundown, and I thought it was particularly relevant to talk about…
Natural GMOs Part 105. Comparing more ancestors clarifies family relationships of a nasty germ
Genome and plasmid comparisons of Enteroaggregative E. coli strains, Rasko and others NEJM 2011, illustrated by comparisons of the main chromosome, and two plasmids, one encoding antibiotic resistance, including extended spectrum beta-lactamase, the other (pAA) encoding enteroaggregative virulence traits. An amazing amount of genetic analysis has been rapidly published about the huge recent outbreak of…
Natural GMOs Part 90: Genes move between species in fungi
(Photomicrograph of Aspergillus nidulans, the species of mold that appears to have been the source of the 22-gene cluster that jumped to Podospora anserina, an unrelated species of mold. The Aspergillus genus contains a number of species that are beneficial and harmful to humans. (Creative Commons licensed Image via Özgür Bayram and Gerhard Braus) GMO…
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Natural GMOs Part 88. The state of knowledge of antibiotic resistance and pathogenic E. coli in 1975.
In 1975 right at the start of the genetic engineering era, all of the genetic behaviour of gut germs that explains the evolution of the HUS German outbreak strain of E. coli was well established [by about 1957, years before genetic engineering in laboratories was ever used]. Evolution of new virulence capabilities in bacteria were clearly…
Natural GMOs Part 86: The parents of the German E. coli germ engaged in horizontal gene transfer
STEC/EHEC outbreak – horizontally transferred genes « bacpathgenomics: “STEC/EHEC outbreak – horizontally transferred genes” Kat Holt has produced a fantastic visual presentation of the family tree of the German disease causing E. coli EHEC/EAEC/STEC germ. The Pundit won’t spoil her story with too much comment: In the German outbreak bacteria, as in most E. coli,…
