Our group interviewed Mark Clements M.D., PhD. at Children's Mercy Hospital, whom Kelli has worked closely with since Summer 2007 conducting research.
Q: What are some of the differences between mammal and bacterial ribosomes?
Dr. Clements: Bacterial ribosomes are smaller in size, they also have different sequence structures than mammalian ribosomes. They also differ in that they are not attached to endoplamsic reticulum in bacteria, they are free in the cytoplasm.
Q:What is the function of a ribosome?
Dr. Clement: The function of a ribosome is translation of messenger RNA into protein.
Q:What is a specific example of an antibiotic that targets ribosomes and its mechanism of action?
Dr. Clement: Azithromycin antiobiotic, which is used to treat certain bacterial infections, most commonly middle ear infections, tonsillitis, throat infections, and pneumonia. This antibiotic
blocks the peptide transferase activity of the ribosome.
Q:How else do antibiotics work, besdies trageting ribosomes?
Dr. Clement: Antibiotics also inhibit the production of the cell wall, inhibit DNA synthesis, block transcription, and also block folate production.
Q: How does anitbiotic resistance develop?
Dr. Clement: Resistance can develop in many ways: mution, acquired plasmid and natural defense.
Q: Antibiotics tend to be associated with only positive effects, are there any side effects of them?
Dr. Clement: There are side effects. To name a few there is: gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drug rash, allergy, electrolyte abnormalities and also weakness
2 comments:
It looks like you chose an appropriate person to speak with. Well done. I appreciate your focus on bacterial ribosomes and Ab-resistance. Please keep checking back because I will soon be asking questions concerning your project (once all interviews are posted).
See you in class!
Dr. Walker
Okay, it's time to move on to the next phase. On WebCT (under "Service Learning") you will find two articles (accessible only to your group) concerning antibiotic resistance and ribosomes. Soon, I will also post on WebCT questions concerning these papers. Answers to these questions will constitute your next blog post.
Dr. Walker
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