Perhaps this is outside the scope of the research you conducted in this lab but in future directions you mention that potentially altering the structure of the cuttlefish ink could help inhibit bacteria growth. What modifications or genetic manipulations could you make to give the ink a higher binding affinity towards the bacteria?
Thank you Kolby for your question, and I think it is a great question. While I am not a biochemist and a chemist / biochemist would have a much better answer to your question, I can tell you that chemical manipulation of the molecule itself to give it a shape that better “fits” the Salmonella cell would be what helps. Molecules have “functional groups” which essentially determine the properties that molecules have on other molecules/cells. Changing a functional group through chemical alteration has the potential to change how cuttlefish ink interacts with bacteria.
Why is it important that Cuttlefish be used for killing salmonella? Is there a specific reason for its development in contrast with the normal treatment for salmonella?
Thank you Maria for your question! I would refer you to our introduction. To sum it up, we are seeking to discover NEW antibiotics because the ones that currently exist are becoming adapted against via antibiotic resistance.
Do you think that pairing cuttlefish ink with another antibiotic agent would help kill the bacteria since it at least slows down growth or does it slow it down too slowly that it would be pointless to use anyway?
Another antibiotic would likely help treat the infection. Cuttlefish ink has the possibility of weakening an infection slightly, allowing professionals to give a lower dose of a more effective antibiotic. A possible reason for doing this would be if the more effective antibiotic also came with worse side effects at higher doses.
Perhaps this is outside the scope of the research you conducted in this lab but in future directions you mention that potentially altering the structure of the cuttlefish ink could help inhibit bacteria growth. What modifications or genetic manipulations could you make to give the ink a higher binding affinity towards the bacteria?
Thank you Kolby for your question, and I think it is a great question. While I am not a biochemist and a chemist / biochemist would have a much better answer to your question, I can tell you that chemical manipulation of the molecule itself to give it a shape that better “fits” the Salmonella cell would be what helps. Molecules have “functional groups” which essentially determine the properties that molecules have on other molecules/cells. Changing a functional group through chemical alteration has the potential to change how cuttlefish ink interacts with bacteria.
Why is it important that Cuttlefish be used for killing salmonella? Is there a specific reason for its development in contrast with the normal treatment for salmonella?
Thank you Maria for your question! I would refer you to our introduction. To sum it up, we are seeking to discover NEW antibiotics because the ones that currently exist are becoming adapted against via antibiotic resistance.
Do you think that pairing cuttlefish ink with another antibiotic agent would help kill the bacteria since it at least slows down growth or does it slow it down too slowly that it would be pointless to use anyway?
Another antibiotic would likely help treat the infection. Cuttlefish ink has the possibility of weakening an infection slightly, allowing professionals to give a lower dose of a more effective antibiotic. A possible reason for doing this would be if the more effective antibiotic also came with worse side effects at higher doses.