preview

Evolution Of The Common Cold

Good Essays

Introduction The history of mankind is intricately woven with the planet we live on, but is perhaps even more dependent upon micro organisms. While people often think that micro organisms are “scary” and “cause sickness,” there are several of these beneficial organisms that are more common than the “common cold.” Saccharomycetes Cerevisiae is one of these organisms and has been in use by humans for millennia. The evolution of this micro organic life form has been highly guided by the hand of humanity to suite several specific purposes that our species has, and still does, use this yeast for.
History and Uses of Saccharomycetes Cerevisiae While it is still relatively speculative when human kind first began its interactions with S. …show more content…

Cerevisiae has undergone genetic modification to do some pretty wild things. Morphine, codeine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and other cannabinoids can now be synthesized from precursor chemicals using GMO S. Cerevisiae. THC and other cannabinoids can be produced by engineered yeasts, which have the same functions and chemistry as those from the plant, but are FDA approved for medical uses, while the plant itself is not (Khamsi, 2015).
Engineered s. cerevisiae with a reconstituted 7-gene pathway is feasible for the synthesis and production of codeine and morphine from (R)-reticuline (Fossati, et.al, 2015). S. cerevisiae cells fed “(R)-reticuline, salutaridine or codeine as substrates showed that all enzymes were functionally co-expressed in yeast and that activity of salutaridine reductase and codeine-O-demethylase likely limit flux to morphine synthesis” (Fossati, et.al, 2015). This study describes a significant advance for S. cerevisiae and paves the way for complete synthesis of substances not naturally produced by microbes. Morphine alkaloids are narcotic analgesics and the most powerful naturally produced alkaloids used to treat severe and chronic pain.
Capturing and Propagating Yeast In order to study the evolution of yeasts, they must be captured and propagated. The process for doing so is rather simple; a juice or slightly sweetened drink, such as a tea, is left open to the air with a loose filter, such as cheesecloth, for a day or two. Once signs of

Get Access