Ally Bruno
Mr. Ippolito
AP Biology
7 March 2019
Rehm, Jeremy. “How Helpful Gut Microbes Send Signals That They Are Friends, Not Foes.” Science News, 7 Mar. 2019, www.sciencenews.org/article/beneficial-gut-microbes-immune-system-pathogens.
Rehm’s article looks at new developments in the gut that prevent infections and illnesses by attacking unhealthy microbes. He bases his discussion of the research off a “hook-like appendage” found in mice that sends signals that can help distinguish between deadly pathogens and helpful ones. He then goes on to explain the current scientific phenomenon, which this research tries to solve. He explains that the body is aware when dangerous microbes enter the system and start attacking them, however, when healthy, digestive microbes circulate the body, the cells know not to attack it. Scientists are searching for evidence that can better explain why this happens. The scientist involved in this research, Ivaylo Ivanov, now hypothesizes that packaged antigens are released to incite the T-cells attack pathogens. He believes that the packaging on the antigens is received differently depending on whether or not the microbe is beneficial or not. There still needs to be more research done to make his hypothesis definitive.
This research is especially relevant in today’s immunity research because of recent outbreaks that scientist could potentially thwart in the future with this research. For example, Rehm’s mentions the Ebola outbreak and the way research of this caliber could relate to the bodies ability to recognize and fight off these outbreaks. The scientist involved believes that better “understanding the mechanisms” might lead to a better understanding of possible preventative methods.
After reading and analyzing Rehm’s article, I think that he excelled in his summaries and explanations of specific scientific processes. He was able to simplify the research and discover who that it was obtainable by readers who aren't researchers in the field, yet his work was still comprehensive and in depth. On the other hand, I felt that Rehm could have built clearer and stronger connections to today’s world and how the research was beneficial. He referenced one outbreak but forced his readers to deduce his intentions rather than then being more straightforward.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRehm, Jeremy. “How Helpful Gut Microbes Send Signals That They Are Friends, Not Foes.” Science News, 7 Mar. 2019, www.sciencenews.org/article/beneficial-gut-microbes-immune-system-pathogens.
ReplyDeleteIn Ally's review of the article “'How Helpful Gut Microbes Send Signals That They Are Friends, Not Foes”, she did an excellent job of summarizing it's main points. After reading his article I feel fairly well informed on the topic yet not bored by too much detail. Additionally, I liked her explanation of the article's significance. There have been several deadly outbrakes of diseases that scientists were unsure how to handle and any preventative methods could save the lives of many. Overall, this review was very well written. There are minimal technical errors and it is well organized.
I felt that Ally could have improved her work by giving more detail about actual mechanism of these microbe. A more thorough understanding of the biology might help people better understand their potential for treatment and feel more educated on the subject. Secondly, in her explanation of the subject's significance, Ally could have provided more detail on how scientists have reacted to these discoveries. Do people think they truly have the potential for a cure?
The processes through which our body works are a phenomenal and fascinating. However, they are also extraordinarily complicated and are mainly a mystery. The more scientists learn about the body, however, the closer we get to discovering cures for the thousands of diseases that countless people are suffering from. For this reason, breakthroughs in the field of microbes are very important: they may hold the key to curing countless people.