A
group of researchers working at the Duke Cancer Institute found a very
interesting discovery. They found a molecule that can be used in the production
of nylon. What’s interesting is that they found said molecule whilst trying to
find a cure for cancer. Since cancer changes the cells behavior and causes the
cells to make varying amounts of products, they might be harvested for our use
in the future.
Nylon
is one of the most used products in the world. We use it in carpentry,
auto-motives, clothing, upholstery, and various other fields. Unfortunately,
nylon is also one of the most resources intensive. It is made from the very
common chemical known as adipic acid which comes from fossil fuels. However, “the pollution released from the refinement process is
a leading contributor to global warming.”
The researchers decided to look at
adipic acid because of the similarities in cancer research and biochemical
engineering. Since both of those fields are required to look at certain
enzymes, it was basically by chance that they found this enzyme that can be
used to make the right acid. “One of
the most promising approaches being studied today for environmentally friendly
adipic acid production uses a series of enzymes as an assembly line to convert
cheap sugars into adipic acid” from these assembly lines, however, there was a
very important enzyme that was missing. It is known as 2-hydroxyadipate
dehydrogenase and is necessary for nylon production.
In
2008 and 2009, they discovered a genetic mutation in brain tumors that changes
the way an enzyme known as isocitrate dehygrogenase behaved. As a result, the
group thought that the mutation could be used in another change that occurs in
yeast and other bacterium. That enzyme is known as homisocitrate dehygrogenase
and can be used to make the 2-hydroxyadipate dehydrogenase. After studying the
behavior of these enzymes, they realized that “The functional mutation observed
in cancer could be constructively applied to other closely related enzymes,
creating a beneficial outcome.” That ourcome, of course, is the production of
the 2-hydroxyadipate dehydrogenase enymze.
Their
original goal was to look at how cancerous tumors developed in hopes of finding
a better way to make a treatment for patients. It’s fascinating how, as the
lead researcher, Zachery J. Reitman, put
it, “As it turns out, a bit of information we learned in that process paves the
way for a better method to produce nylon." Something so unexpected –
better nylon production – coming from cancer cells? It’s just a hard thing to
wrap ones head around. One of the professors in the Department of Pathology,
Hai Yan, added this to their discovery, "This is the result of a cancer
researcher thinking outside the box . . . Not only is this discovery exciting,
it reaffirms the commitment we should be making to science and to encouraging
young people to pursue science."
Naturally,
this discovery is only useable on a small scale. Being able to harness this
information for a precursor to nylon production will be a huge task. It’s a
task that should be taken further, however. With this new information, it’s
another stepping stone in the right direction. Any direction that cuts down on
pollutants should be taken further to help our planet as a whole for the people
of today as well as the people of tomorrow.
Why is it whited out? I'm very confused as to why it's doing that.
ReplyDeleteFixed it. Just some problems with the html coding.
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