In the reading, E. Coli was used to isolate the PrP. It was difficult at first because of the instability and solubility level of the protein (PrP). There were also problems in the combination of E. Coli and PrP because of the disulphide bonds, which were essential for the proper folding structure of the protein. The cytoplasm of E. Coli “in vivo” were therefore, not effective.
I found this part of the reading a bit difficult, so I looked up some background information on E. Coli that I thought I would share.
E. Coli or escherichia coli, is a species of bacteria that live in the intestines of most healthy people and organisms. Most E. coli does not result in any significant illness. But there are particular substrains of E. coli that can cause severe digestive illness.
Dangerous strains of E. coli come from food (and sometimes even water) that have been infected with the bacteria. Foods that are particularly at risk of having E. coli is raw vegetables, unpasteurized milk, and undercooked beef. Most people, even when infected with a dangerous strain of E. coli can recover. But children and elderly people, or people with other complicating diseases, can become so sick from E. coli that they need to be hospitalized. The most serious complication that can result from E. coli is hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can be a fatal type of kidney failure.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is in charge of tracking potentially contaminated food stocks and tracking the spread of the disease. Most E. coli outbreaks happen between June and September, though it is unclear why. (Maybe because people are eating more raw vegetables and hamburger in the summer??). The last multi-state outbreak of E. coli happened in late July. Nineteen people in six states were affected. 44% were hospitalized. No fatalities.
This research showed me the importance of the government in tracking the epidemiology of diseases and keeping the public safe.