Genetically Modified Bacteria Can Improve Eyesight
August 29, 2000 - 0:0
FRANKFURT Genetically modified bacteria could be developed into medicines to treat eye disorders in the elderly, German researchers claim.
Professor Gerhard Sandmann and a team at the Botanical Institute at Frankfurt University, have managed to modify bacteria to produce 12 different carotenoids, hydrocarbons which are widespread in plant and animal life. The derivatives of these hydrocarbons serve as light receptors in the eye.
In plants they turn leaves different colors and are indirectly involved in photosynthesis.
"Light sometimes destroys the color molecules in the eye, especially in elderly people," said Professor Sandmann. The yellow spot in the eye, the point where sight is sharpest, is especially vulnerable.
"With our bacteria, we can so far produce small quantities of 30 different carotenoids, and test whether they are suitable as medicines," said Professor Sandmann. They could be further developed as medicines by industry, he said.
Carotenoids can be chemically produced but the process is too expensive.
The Frankfurt scientists hope to produce around 100 different carotenoids from the bacteria in the foreseeable future. They do this by smuggling different enzymes into their genes, which then produce new variations.
Professor Sandmann's findings are outlined in an article in the British journal Nature Biotechnology (Vol. 18, No. 9, P. 843). The article also reports work on carotenoid by Joseph Hirschberg of the Hebrew University in Bait-ul-Moqaddas, who has managed to turn yellow tobacco leaves red in experiments with carotenoid.
This could enable agriculturists to alter the colors of fruits and flowers. Nature estimates the market value of carotenoid pigments at $500 million a year. They are also believed to have properties which can protect against cancer and heart diseases in humans.
(DPA)
Professor Gerhard Sandmann and a team at the Botanical Institute at Frankfurt University, have managed to modify bacteria to produce 12 different carotenoids, hydrocarbons which are widespread in plant and animal life. The derivatives of these hydrocarbons serve as light receptors in the eye.
In plants they turn leaves different colors and are indirectly involved in photosynthesis.
"Light sometimes destroys the color molecules in the eye, especially in elderly people," said Professor Sandmann. The yellow spot in the eye, the point where sight is sharpest, is especially vulnerable.
"With our bacteria, we can so far produce small quantities of 30 different carotenoids, and test whether they are suitable as medicines," said Professor Sandmann. They could be further developed as medicines by industry, he said.
Carotenoids can be chemically produced but the process is too expensive.
The Frankfurt scientists hope to produce around 100 different carotenoids from the bacteria in the foreseeable future. They do this by smuggling different enzymes into their genes, which then produce new variations.
Professor Sandmann's findings are outlined in an article in the British journal Nature Biotechnology (Vol. 18, No. 9, P. 843). The article also reports work on carotenoid by Joseph Hirschberg of the Hebrew University in Bait-ul-Moqaddas, who has managed to turn yellow tobacco leaves red in experiments with carotenoid.
This could enable agriculturists to alter the colors of fruits and flowers. Nature estimates the market value of carotenoid pigments at $500 million a year. They are also believed to have properties which can protect against cancer and heart diseases in humans.
(DPA)