Podcast
Questions and Answers
What type of organic polymers do bacteria and archaea produce for carbon storage?
What type of organic polymers do bacteria and archaea produce for carbon storage?
What is a primary challenge encountered in using bacterial strains for PHA production?
What is a primary challenge encountered in using bacterial strains for PHA production?
What resource requirement sets the alga-based system apart for PHB production?
What resource requirement sets the alga-based system apart for PHB production?
Which alga is specifically being considered for genetic modification to enhance PHB production?
Which alga is specifically being considered for genetic modification to enhance PHB production?
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What was one outcome of the 2011 demonstration regarding the diatom-based PHB production?
What was one outcome of the 2011 demonstration regarding the diatom-based PHB production?
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What remains a necessary step in maximizing PHB production in eukaryotic systems?
What remains a necessary step in maximizing PHB production in eukaryotic systems?
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What is a primary concern when considering gene transfer for PHA synthesis into plants?
What is a primary concern when considering gene transfer for PHA synthesis into plants?
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What contributes to the high costs associated with microbe-derived PHA production?
What contributes to the high costs associated with microbe-derived PHA production?
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Study Notes
Eukaryotic and Archaeal Genome Replication and Expression
- Approximately 140 million tons of plastics are purchased each year and most are discarded.
- Plastics take thousands of years to degrade.
- 150 million tons of fossil fuels are used to produce plastics annually.
- Microbes could potentially solve the plastic waste problem.
- Plastics are organic polymers (polyurethane, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyester).
- Bacteria and archaea produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as a way to store carbon (a type of plastic).
- Bacteria and archaea can use the PHA when carbon is scarce, and they have enzymes to break down PHA.
- Microbiologists have optimized PHA production by bacteria - up to 80% of cellular dry weight.
- The cost of feeding bacteria to produce PHA makes it expensive.
- Utilizing algae (diatoms) as a platform for producing PHA is more cost-effective and avoids ethical problems.
- Researchers in 2011 demonstrated that the PHB genes could be introduced into diatoms.
- However, the next steps include maximizing PHB production and optimizing gene expression for diatoms (eukaryotic organisms).
- Microbiologists need to modify PHB genes so they are transcribed at a high rate and recognized by the eukaryotic ribosomes.
- Geneticists and molecular biologists have studied plant and yeast systems for insights into guiding this process for diatoms.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of genome replication and expression in eukaryotic and archaeal organisms. This quiz discusses the role of microbes in addressing plastic pollution and how they utilize unique forms of carbon storage. Dive into microbial optimization and the potential of algae in producing bioplastics.
