Hailey Hunter's Deinococcus Radiodurans Research Notes

Logan: "Rory, you're special."

Rory: "Like 'stop eating the paste' special?" (Gilmore Girls)

 Question 2:

Most bacteria are easily classified as either Gram-positive, containing a thick cell wall of peptidoglycan* which stains purple after treatment, or Gram-negative, lacking the cell wall and staining pink. Not only does the cell wall of D. radiodurans manage to stain either way, but it also exhibits a variety of unusual layers. The inner layer of the cellular envelope is the plasma membrane common to all cells. (See layers 1 and 2 below.)  The lipids of the plasma membrane are atypical, containing unique fatty acids. Unlike phosphoglycolipids in other organisms, these lipids contain alkylamines.

http://chaoticutopia.com/wp/?p=254

Question 5:

It is an obligatory heterotroph*, taking substances from just about anything it can get.

http://chaoticutopia.com/wp/?p=254

A heterotrophic bacterium with impressive resistance to UV and ionizing radiation*, due to a multilayered cell wall, carotenoid* pigments and super-efficient DNA repair mechanisms.

J.A. Hiscox and D.J. Thomas, "Genetic Modification and Selection of Microorganisms for Growth on Mars," JBIS, 48, 419-426 (1995).

Question 8:

 D. radiodurans may have the added benefit of being able to digest radioactivity, which could help clean up radioactive sites.

TRAVIS, JOHN. "Meet the Superbug." Science News 154.24 (Dec 12, 1998): 376(1). Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. St Andrews Episcopal School - Austin. 8 Dec. 2007 

<http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

Scientists have mapped the genetic code of a bacterium (nicknamed after a comic-book character) that can withstand blistering heat, freezing cold, and radiation 3,000 times the lethal dose for human beings. Researchers hope that Deinococcus radiodurans can be used to clean up radioactive and chemically toxic dumps and spills.

"Conan the Bacterium." The Amicus Journal 22.1 (Spring 2000): 11. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. St Andrews Episcopal School - Austin. 8 Dec. 2007 

<http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

* - denotes word defined under Definitions