Antibiotics in Action

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    Mold is for Wimps
    Antibiotics from Big Scary Reptiles

    This reading give the students a taste of the wild side of drug discovery. As strange as it sounds to hunt for antibiotics in large carnivorous reptiles, it should be understood that in his work Gill Diamond is really no different than Alexander Fleming, Howard Florey, Ernest Chain, Elizabeth Hazen, or Rachel Fuller Brown. All these scientists worked to harvest antibiotics that living organisms produced to protect themselves from bacteria. The only difference in Gil Diamond's work is the ferocity of the organisms being studied.

    In addition, the reading illustrates the nature of science in two investigations that began with questions. The crocodile research began with the question of how crocodiles prevent infection of their open wounds in germ-infested waters, whereas the Komodo dragon research began with the question of how Komodo dragons resist the bacteria that they use to kill their prey.

    Unfortunately, Jill Fullerton-Smith's documentary on Diamond's crocodile research is not available for purchase.

    Relevant National Science Education Standards

      Science as Inquiry — The reading focuses on questions that Gill Diamond asked about the immune systems of crocodiles and Komodo dragons and his attempts to answer them.

      Life Sciences — The reading discusses the behavior of crocodiles and Komodo dragons.

      Science and Technology — The reading explores one path to new drug technology.

      Science and Personal and Social Perpectives — The reading discusses the role of science in facing the community and public health challenge of infectious disease.

      History and Nature of Science — The reading illustrates science as a human endeavor.

    Relevant New Jersey State Science Education Standards

      5.1 The reading reinforces the importance of asking questions in science.
      5.4 The reading looks at the application of biological knowledge to disease-fighting technology.
      5.5 The reading looks at crocodiles and Komodo dragons.

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