MCB 3020 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, Ignaz Semmelweis, Smallpox Vaccine
20 Feb 2017
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Most information about human genetics came from microorganisms- specifically bacteria. Bio engineering and manipulation of dna extracted from bacteria. First living things to show up; maintain life on planet earth. Last to go away because most adaptable organisms- found in coldest and hottest places. Altering structure improves or takes away function. Protein- most abundant substance in body perform unique functions based upon their structural chemistry and folding. Bacteria produces exotoxin that produces damage to body cells- exotoxin is structural protein, understanding it can create cures. Virulence factors- means and tools organisms possess that allow them to cause disease. Why death rate from infectious diseases decreased since last 100yrs. Swan neck flask experiments: curved long neck flask was heated, since particles from air did not reach food, it was not contaminated, broken flask allowed for microbial contamination, disproved spontaneous generation theory. Produced smallpox vaccine to london academy of sciences. Dirty hands caused death through sepsis post childbirth.
