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 Research at the MBL
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Center scientists study the evolution and cell biology of disease-causing microbes like this Pneumocystis
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Pinning Down Pathogens
The rapidly developing field of molecular evolution is already helping biomedical researchers identify and detect disease-causing pathogens and parasitic organisms. Under the direction of Mitchell Sogin, the Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution focuses on research that has relevance to many other disciplines, including parasitology, cell biology, ecosystem processes, and the design of therapeutic strategies for a broad array of diseases.
For example, Sogin and colleagues at the Center used genetic analysis to show that Pneumocystis, a one-celled organism responsible for deadly infections in AIDS patients, is actually a fungus. This surprised physicians who were treating the infection with medications that attack organisms related to malaria parasites. Thanks to Sogin's discovery, researchers have re-focused their search and are now looking for antifungal drugs to fight Pneumocystis infection.
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 "When we don't know whether a disease-causing organism is an animal, plant, or fungus, we can use the tools of molecular biology to determine that's organism's relatives. This process will ultimately help us identify and counteract the pathogen."
-- Mitch Sogin, Director, Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution
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| Distinguishing Microbe from Microbe
Microbes, among the smallest of organisms, are the key players in nature's recycling efforts and in the movement of carbon and energy through food chains. Although ecologists know how important these microorganisms are to the functioning of ecosystems, they have not yet been able to link individual species with these processes.
The molecular biology done in the Bay Paul Center is providing ecologists with a state-of-the-art method for identifying different species of microbes. This knowledge is helping scientists to understand how microbes function in ecosystems—pointing the way to better predictions about how microbial recyclers will respond to changing environmental conditions.
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Center scientists use their molecular toolbox to distinguish one organism from another.
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 Studying the Genetic Puzzle
Center scientists are peering back in time to study our most ancient ancestors the primitive microorganisms that evolved, over eons, into the more than 10 million species of plants, animals, and microbes that now inhabit the Earth.
Center scientists use the tools of molecular biology (opposite) to explore ancient and contemporary microbes and to plot the genetic relationships between those microbes and all other living things. Some of that work has led Center scientists to identify genes that play a role in human health and disease
Other studies by the Center's molecular evolutionists shed light on biodiversity and make it possible to identify similar organisms living in the varied terrestrial and aquatic environments on Earth.
Additional funding is needed to extend this path-breaking research program. The Campaign will provide new research funds and endowed chairs to ensure that the Center's scientists remain at the forefront of this 21st Century branch of biology.
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