The Scientific Method

• Biotechnology - The use of living organisms or their products to enhance our lives and our environments
• Science - scire (latin) for to know
• Belief Knowledge

  • Knowledge about the world is inherent and unique in each human being.
  • It is attained by individual revelation
• Research Knowledge

  • Gathering of knowledge from the material world
  • Group work
  • To this end, research knowledge is based on a protocol
• Science

  • the study of the material universe
  • Our understanding of this material universe changes and improves over time
  • Science is very dynamic
• The Scientific Method

  1. Ask a question
  2. Do background research
  3. Construct a hypothesis
  4. Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment
  5. Analyze your data and draw a conclusion
  6. Report your results
• Bioluminescence - The emission of light from a living organism
• Bioluminiscence in bacteria was first discovered from a nocturnal squid (Hawaiian bobtail squid Euprymna scolopes) that glows
• There is a symbiotic relationship between bobtail squid and the bacteria Vibrio fischeri
• Expression of bioluminiscence is cell population dependent
• low cell number / density - no light

  high cell number / density - light
• Quorum Sensing - A process by which bacteria communicate with each other to coordinate their behavior
• Bioengineered Bioluminiscent Tobacco Plant - Genes from soil bacteria for the detection of trinitrotoluene (TNT), dinitrotoluene (DNT) and other chemicals found in explosives for metabolic activity and lux genes for bioluminiscence
• Oil Spill Effects:

  1. Economy
  2. Jobs and Services
  3. Environment