sign in sign up
<<
Home , Alkaliphile, Bioprospecting, Commons

Old Dominion University ODU Digital

STEMPS Faculty Publications STEM Education & Professional Studies

2005

Bioprospecting

Philip A. Reed Old Dominion University

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/stemps_fac_pubs

Part of the Commons, Agricultural Education Commons, Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Commons, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics Commons, and the Science and Mathematics Education Commons

Original Publication Citation Reed, P. A. (2005). . The Technology Teacher, 64(4), 14-18.

This Article is brought to you for free and by the STEM Education & Professional Studies at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in STEMPS Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. BIOPROSPECTING

PhilipA. Reed The productapplications of bioprospectingare almostlimitless.

Thegold rush is on! No, prospectors are not scramblingfor the precious metal in northernCalifornia circa the 1840s.The new rush involvesthe collectionof biologicalmaterials, and the prospectorsare biologists, chemists,and corporations.This area of biotechnologyhas beenlabeled bioprospecting,and it is a practicethat is creatingworldwide controversy. Definedsimply, bioprospectingis "scientificresearch that looksfor a usefulapplication, process, or product in "(National Park Service, 2004).However, as with most ,the definitiondoes not addressthe complexitiesof bioprospecting.The history, regu­ lations,and productsassociated with bioprospectingcan help us understand thesecomplexities.

Historyof Bioprospecting Figure1: Thermusaquaticus, a bacteriumfound in YellowstoneNational Park, produces an ,polymerase, that is vital to polymerasechain reaction (PCR) DNA fingerprinting. PCR Humanshave always lookedfor fingerprintingis widely usedby criminalinvestigators, hospitals, and other researchers. and animalsthey coulduse to make easier.However, they discovered that certainfoods and beastsof suppressa cold has beenadvocated The NationalPark Service has faced burdencould be usedfor morethan by caringmothers for generations,but thesequestions and respondedwith basicsubsistence. Archeologists are it wasn't until 1993that scientific mixed results.In the 1960sa findingthat somebiotechnologies, evidencesupported this claim bacteriumwas foundin the hot such as the use of herbsfor medicine (Discover,1993). springsof Yellowstonethat has been and the use of fermentationand yeast key in the productionof one of the Geneticengineering and other in products,date back 5,000to most importantenzymes in molecular scientificand technological advances 10,000years (DeMiranda, 2004). biology(Figure 1 ). Theapplications are continuallygiving us a deeper stemmingfrom Thermusaquaticus Many of the historicaluses of understandingof the naturalworld. (Taq) draw in hundredsof millionsof ,proteins, and other We are not only learninghow chicken dollarsannually. biologicalmaterials have been broth interactswith enzymesin the understoodby scientists,physicians, body, but we are also still discovering Unfortunately,the NationalPark and nutritionistsfor quite sometime, new organisms.Where do these Servicedid not requirea contractwith while othersare still beingdiscovered. organismscome from and who owns the researcherwho discoveredT aq, For example,eating chicken soup to them? so noneof the applicationrevenues are flowing backto Yellowstone.To Fahrenheit]),and are unableto .This approachplaces get in on the gold rush,the National grow above20°C (68° Fahrenheit). existingorganizations, such as the ParksOmnibus Management Act of U.S.Food and DrugAdministration • Alkaliphile:An organismwith 1998was createdto helpthe National (USFDA)and the U.S. & optimalgrowth at pH valuesabove ParkService contract with TrademarkOffice (USPTO), in charge 10. bioprospectors.Specifically, the act of oversight(Figure 2). Certain allows for benefits-sharingagreements • :An organismwith a pH exceptionsare madefor very "betweenresearchers, their optimumfor growth at, or below, controversialprocesses like the U.S. institutionsor companies,and the pH 2. ban on humancloning. NationalPark Service that return • :(previously termed In the EuropeanUnion, however, they benefitsto the parkwhen the results barophile)An organismthat primarilyutilize a process-based of cooperativeresearch lead to the optimallyat high hydrostatic approachfor regulation.The European developmentof somethingthat is pressure(Maloney, 2004). cultureoverwhelmingly resists commerciallyvaluable" (National Park biotechnologybecause they do not Service,2004). Theseorganisms obviously do not just want to take unknownrisks­ residein the UnitedStates. Global Do not worry; benefitssharing does especiallyin the areaof genetic controversiesover who has the right not openthe parksfor large-scale engineering.Therefore, the European to biologicalmaterials are takingplace miningor otherenvironmental Unionhas· created strong regulations in the UnitedNations and the world damage.One of the key points of that restrict the most basic levels courts.To addressthis, many bioprospectingis that most samples (processes)of biotechnology(Morris, countriesand organizationsare fit in a vial and are microscopic. 1995). involvedin establishingnew Benefitssharing is a way to keepour regulatorypractices. Ironically,the northernhemisphere :a naturalparks pristine while potentially m has beenthe most proactivein Cl) providingfunding for their upkeep. 0 regulatingbiotechnology, but it is the c:: Regulations :a Theobvious attraction to the national southernhemisphere that facesthe C"') m parksis the abundanceof specimens; Differentcultures and regionsof the greatestthreats of bioprospecting.The Cl) however,bioprospectors are also lured world havecreated different regulatory abundanceof raw materialsis inviting 2 by .Extremophiles are methodsfor biotechnology.The United for bioprospectors,and the natureof m~ organismsthat live in someof the Statesand Canadahave developed a third world and developingnations is C"') harshestenvironments on earth.Taq, product-basedprocess of regulating invitingfor biopirates.Biopiracy or ::z:: 2 for example,was found in the hot 0 r­ springsof Yellowstoneand thrives in e temperaturesup to 76.67°Celsius .-.llll>< C') Oii ~ -- ...... t«- tllb < (170° Fahrenheit).Many of these +- ., O]l,11,4,._ !jj•- ~- -1 '2)-..;flll- hardyorganisms are single-cell creaturesthat prosperin protected environmentssuch as very alkalineor USDA acidicwater, tar pits, magma,and iiiiii eventhe cold of Antarctica. Search the U.S. Database or completed RegulatoryAgency Reviews Extremophilesare typically classified ThiJdmbase c~ do-nnaswmon gct1e1Jc:alycn,piccred crop plds otodtd for accordingto the environmentin which food wreed thathaYe completed Ill recommendedor rcqi.medrew:w, for phinboa. f~od, or feed use., lhe Ur.iedStaut Thti d.ltabw:wil be upd.,tt'dreguiM'tyThe they live: ovenDcomm. andscope oftbcldMM)ue in,y chqe m thefutia-c to «11\n thif.the ~ue Conr.DJcsto meet \I.SC"nr:edi • :An organismhaving ProductScarth Common Nafl!e; ,~ a growth temperatureoptimum of ~ Cetttoloupe .:.J 50°C( 122°Fahrenheit) or higher.In Sd•ntificHame: ~... -,.,.-,---,- .... ~.----~ S.laVUlgan. the caseof hyperthermophilesthe Bfau,ce napu,, &ea,sca neput vet Mf>U• !::J optimummay be between80°C and r..11c.,.. o,y. r~""·­...... ~ 110°c (176°-230° Fahrenheit). VIM-- .:.J • :An organismrequiring at least 0.2 M (3-30%)salt for growth. • :An organismhaving a growth temperatureoptimum of Figure2: The U.S.Department of ,U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 15°C(59° Fahrenheit)or lower, and the Departmentof Healthand HumanServices, USFDA have teamed to createa databasethat assessesthe risk of new geneticallyengineered crop plants (somecan surviveat -10°C [14° (http://usbiotechreg.nbii.gov/database_pub.asp).

THETECHNOLOGY TEACHER • December/January 2005 15 biocolonialismis usedto describe FromRaw Materialsto eventuallylead to insectresistance of the exploitationof thesenations' FinishedProducts the toxins. resourcesfor financialgain (Rifkin, Pharmaceuticalcompanies are 1998). By manipulatingproteins, using enzymes,and alteringgenes-the investingheavily in bioprospecting.In In any gold rushthere are unscrupu­ basic buildingblocks of life-we can one example,heavyweights Pfizer, lous characters.In California,Sam use naturalmaterials in a varietyof Pharmacia,and Upjohnhave all Brannanbecame extremely wealthy ways. To learnhow these building investedin a firm (lncytel that by runningthrough the streetsand blocksare used,it is helpfulto allegedlycontains a databaseof nearly yellingthat he hadfound gold. organizethem into groups.The four 100,000genes (Rifkin, 1998). When Althoughhe had a small samplein his main categoriesof biotechnologiesare you considerthat over half of the hand,Brannan planned to make agriculture,pharmaceutical, cancerdrugs approvedby the U.S. moneyfrom other prospectors,not environmental,and industrial(Oe Foodand DrugAdministration are of panning.Brannan had purchasedall of Miranda,2004). naturalorigin or are modeledon the shovelsand other panning naturalproducts, you can see why the equipmentin the area.Biopiracy is Agriculturalbiotechnologies are pharmaceuticalcompanies are just as deceptivebut is primarily arguablythe oldestand most widely progressivebioprospectors. attemptedby large multi-national used.Rather than traditionalmethods Surfactants(Surface active ,!!.gents) corporations-sometimeswithout a of animalhusbandry and seed are a significantenvironmental nation'sconsent. selection,however, newer methods are morecontrolled. For example, bioprospectingachievement. At the beginningof the bioprospecting Bacillusthuringiensis (Bt) is a Surfactantsare wetting agentsthat rush, companieshurried to collect bacteriumthat was initially helpwith the spreadingof liquids.It > samplesand appliedfor . you haveever readthe labelon your C!1 prospectedfrom flower mothsand 0 Fortunately,courts and regulatory laundrydetergent, you haveprobably ....I usedas an insecticide.However, 0 agencieshave, for the most part, seensurfactants as an ingredient. 2 agriculturecompanies now engineer :::c taken a tough line on biopiracy.The strainsof Bt into crops such as corn, Surfactantsare also usedfor the (.) w generalconsensus is that if a potatoes,cotton, and soybeans extractionof oil. Researchershave 1- biologicalmaterial has not been (Figure3). Thesecrops target a prospectedmicroorganisms from 2 alteredor usedin a novelway (i.e. specificpest and are formulatedso wells and usedthem in various (I) new industrialprocess), then it does w they do not damageother insects.One mixturesto obtainoil. These (.) not constituteintellectual surfactant"cocktails" drastically a: potentialdrawback, however, is that ::, OP).Patent policy has beenshaped by the prolongedexposure may increaseoutput becausemost oil is 0 (I) these rulings,and attemptsto claim w a: herbsand homeopathicremedies used for centuriesby nativeshave been significantlyslowed by this stance jGraham,2002). Organizationshave also stepped in to helpthird world and developing nations.The UnitedNations educates third world and developingnations in a numberof ways. The UnitedNations University,Institute for Advanced Studies(UNU/IAS) regularly publishes reportsand presentsregional seminarsto teach these nationshow to managetheir .Topics includeoverviews of the bio­ technologyindustry, safety, intellectualproperty, and methods for negotiatingwith bioprospectors.

Figure3: Cropsmodified with Bt toxins offer protectionagainst pests that target roots, foliage,or bore.Traditional pesticides are sprayedon and generallyonly protect crop foliage.

16 December/January2005 • THETECHNOLOGY TEACHER containedin small interconnected Summary abundanceof naturalmaterials. World pocketsrather than largeopen pools courts, regulatoryagencies, and other (Morris, 1995). Bioprospectingis a very old bio­ organizationshave helped shape technologythat involvessome very policiesand continueto work on Bioprospectorshave found new techniques.Genetic engineering equitablepolicies that allow benefit­ tremendousindustrial applications, and other processesallow biologists, sharingof naturalresources. especiallyin the form of chemicals. chemists,and biotechnologiststo Variousfungi, ,and other collect microorganismsand change The productapplications of microbesare often usedto create them in ways that previouslywere not bioprospectingare almostlimitless. industrialchemicals. Several common possible.Organisms that thrive under Productsand processesthat stem chemicalexamples and their microbial adverseconditions, extremophiles, are from bioprospectingare already sourcesinclude acetic acid highlysought after and havea wide abundantin areasof agriculture, (acetobacter),acetone (clostridium), rangeof applications. pharmaceutical,environmental, and and ethanol(saccharomyces) industrialbiotechnology. (Barnum,1998). Earlybioprospectors tried to exploit the nationsof the southern hemispherebecause they containan

Table 1: Extremophilesand their applications(Maloney, 2004).

:::D m & Applications Cl) 0 DNApolymerases DNAamplification by PCR c:: :::D C"') Lipases,pullulanases, and proteases Detergents m Cl) Amylases Bakingand brewing 2 -I Xylanases Paperbleaching m C"') :::c Applications 2 0 r­ Bacteriorhodopsin Opticalswitches and photocurrentgenerators e C') Li ids Liposomesfor drug deliveryand < Compatiblesolutes e.g. Ectoin Protein,DNA, and cell protectants y-Linoleicacid, P-carotene,and cell extracts,e.g. Spirulina Healthfoods, dietary supplements, food colouring,and and Dunalielfa feedstock Applications Alkalinephosphatase Molecularbiology Proteases,lipases, cellulases, and amylases Detergents Polyunsaturatedfatty acids Foodadditives, dietary supplements nucleatingproteins Artificial snow, food industrye.g. ice cream Alkaliphiles& Applications Proteases,cellulases, lipases, and pullulanases Detergents Elastases,keritinases Hidede-hairing Cyclodextrins Foodstuffs,chemicals, and pharmaceuticals Acidophiles Finepapers, waste treatment,and de-gumming Sulphuroxidizing acidophiles Recoveryof metalsand de-sulphuricationof coal Acidophiles Organicacids and

THETECHNOLOGY TEACHER • December/January 2005 17 ClassActivity: Become A Figure2. Searchthe databasefor RetrievedSeptember 28, 2004from genetically-modifiedcrop plants. www.nature.nps.gov/benefitssharing/in SavvyBioconsumer dex.htm Brandnames are typically not Standardsfor TechnologicalLiteracy provided,but the databaselists Rifkin,J. (1998). The biotech century. New York,NY: Penguin Putnam, Inc. (ITEA,2000/2002) explains the manufacturersand describes importanceof bio-relatedtechnologies Sanders,M. E. (2001). New paradigmor producttraits. As you review this old ?The status of technology with regardto technologicalliteracy. databaseand manufacturers'Web educationin the UnitedStates. Unfortunately,the study of bio­ sites you will learnhow RetrievedSeptember 28, 2004from technologyat the secondarylevel bioprospectorsalter biological http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejoumals/JTE/ within the UnitedStates is almost materialfor use in products.For vl 2n2/sanders.html non-existent(Sanders, 2001 ). Perhaps example,'s Roundup this is becauseareas such as modern Ready®line of seedsmakes the PhilipA. Reed, bioprospectingare evolvingat a rapid plantsin that line morereceptive to Ph.D.is an assis­ pace.Another reason might be the RoundupUltra® herbicide. tant professorin the complexrelationships that makeup Monsantohas altereda geneto be DardenCollege of the field of biotechnology(i.e. "herbicidetolerant" rather than Educationat Old interactionof agriculture,biology, makingthe strongervia the DominionUniversity chemistry,medicine, and engineering). traditionalmethod of cross­ in Norfolk, VA. He can be reachedvia Thetwo followingactivities are pollination.The benefits are strongerplants and greateryields, e-mail at designedto helpteachers and [email protected]. studentslearn how bio-related but a drawbackis the continued technologiesare usedcommercially. dependenceon herbicide. Productlabels do not often list Ready-to-Use specificorganisms because many Classroom Activities! times the ingredientsare proprietary. References Therefore,you must developa Barnum,S. R. (1998).Biotechnology: An ITEAhas recently made available differentset of bioprospectingskills by introduction.Belmont, CA: Wadsworth PublishingCompany. electronically a series of activity usingresearch to learnabout these De Miranda,M. A. (2004).Ethical issues in guides designed to supplement productsand processes.Have fun biotechnology.In R. B. Hill (Ed.)Council Standards for Technological digging! on TechnologyTeacher Education Literacy: Content for the Study of Yearbook:Volume 53. Ethicsfor Technology through the use of 1. ReviewTable 1 and searchfor citizenshipin a technologicalworld. productsthat fit one or moreof the Peoria,IL: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. classroom activities. Each of these activities provides detailed descriptionsin the applications Discover.( 1993).For this you needan column.Try to determinewhich M.D.?(chicken soup proven effective gu ida nce.farteacherpteparation (s)were usedin the againstcold andflu). New York,NY: and irl)fflementation. They I elude productor manufacturingprocess. TheWalt DisneyCompany. read -to~duplicat.estudent Forexample, Shout® Gel is a Graham,J. R. (2002).Bioprospecting or ha~t:!outs and reflectionquestiops biopiracy?Fraser Forum, December, 19- an1 provid~ multipleassessmen laundrydetergent that uses 20. RetrievedSeptember 28, 2004from str tegies. enzymesto removestains from www.fraserinstitute.ca/admin/books/ch clothing.This meansit probably aptertiles/Bioprospectingor Biopiracy­ incorporatesalkaliphiles, Graham.pdf# To or'd.,_er,go to \-\-WW.iteawww.org acidophiles,and/or thermophiles InternationalTechnology Education and click on "CO!" eitherdirectly in the productor the Association(ITEA). (2000/2002). Check offthe-desired~divity Standardsfor technologicalliteracy: extremophileswere usedduring Contentfor the studyof technology. titles and submit the online form. manufactureof the product. Reston,VA: Author. Your credit card will be debited Learningabout these organisms Malony,S. (2004).Extremophiles: $5.00 for each activity. You will will not only helpyou with Bioprospectingfor antimicrobials. receive each activity via e-mail in importantthings like removing AntiviralChemistry and , pdf format. toughgrass stains; it will greatly August.Retrieved September 28, 2004 from www.mediscover.net/ increaseyour technologicalliteracy Extremophiles.cfm Cost is $5.00 per activity. in the areaof bio-related Morris,B. (1995).Biotechnology. Hong Activities will be e-mailed technologies! Kong,China: Cambridge University as pdf files. Press. 2. Visit the UnitedStates Regulatory NationalPark Service. (2004). Benefits AgenciesUnified Biotechnology sharingin the nationalparks: Web site that is highlightedin Environmentalimpact statement. of Technology Teacher is the property of International Technology Education Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.