Today I found that my Unknown Bacteria #11 is Bacillus subtilis. This is kind of a bummer as I was really hoping my bacteria was Bacillus cereus. The latter bacteria causes food poisoning and is a nasty little organism. Why I was hoping for this is beyond me. Back to the matter at hand, Bacillus subtilis. Bacillus subtilis is a gram positive, endospore forming bacteria. In contrast to Bacillus cereus, it has been used for healing disease such as dysentery. Allegedly, soldiers in WWII ate camel feces as a cure for dysentery, because camel feces contains this bacteria, which is a known cure for dysentery.
I am also making progress on my gene gun project. Most of the materials have been ordered, and tomorrow I will be going to ASU to learn how to prepare the microcarriers that will be used for the gene gun. After that, 1.0 micron tungsten dust will be ordered, and I can start building our gun, which can properly be called a "biolistic particle delivery system".
I am also making progress on my gene gun project. Most of the materials have been ordered, and tomorrow I will be going to ASU to learn how to prepare the microcarriers that will be used for the gene gun. After that, 1.0 micron tungsten dust will be ordered, and I can start building our gun, which can properly be called a "biolistic particle delivery system".
To Mark
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting to know that camel feces contain a bacteria used to cure for dysentery. The dysentery usually clears up after a few days and no treatment is needed, but it is important to replace any fluids that have been lost through diarrhea. However, cereus is responsible for a minority of foodborne illnesses and causing severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Thank you.
Maha Jawad