I have really enjoyed Project Based with my teacher Dr. Dyer. My group has moved onto our choice module which was Microbiology and Biotechnology. Our project consisted of using a recombinant strain of E.coli that is able to produce Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) because it contains the GFP gene which originally came form a jellyfish called Aqueora Victoria. I thought this module was very interesting and I could develop my microbiology skills further. I think the laboratory lessons are a really good opportunity for me because I want to pursue my career in a laboratory scientific field, therefore thanks to those P.B. lessons I am have started to develop skills which could be used in the future at university or in a job. This will be a massive advantage for me compared to other students in other schools.
Monika Madej
We used Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), naturally occurring in Aequorea Victoria jellyfish but here produced by a recombinant strain of E.coli. This protein has been used by Scientists to identify molecules under a light microscope and is particularly useful in identifying drug targets. Hornby (2014) says that luminescence is the emission of light without the input of heat which is important in understanding fluorescence. After starting our culture, we investigated the effects of temperature on the growth rates of E.Coli GFP. We found that E.Coli GFP grew at a faster rate at the temperature of 25 degrees celsius over 13 hours than at 37 degrees celsius. This is surprising as the optimal temperature for E.coli growth is around 37 degrees celsius.
Alanya Roberts
Alanya, since the only difference between a standard bacterium and the GFP strain, can you think of any reasons why bacteria that normally grow optimally at 37, would grow more rapidly at 25?
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