Advancing Life: Biomedical Technology

through the utilization of RNA is unidirectional – was not entirely accurate. This is due to the elucidation of reverse transcriptase, which allows for the exact opposite process to occur. Moreover, Scientists were able to gain a better understanding of both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria such as Hepatitis, Influenza, and HIV due to the polyprotein Currently, scientists are using the RNA bacteriophage to find alternatives to antibiotics since superbugs (i.e. bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics) have evolved. Creating the alternative has been put into debate since bacteria create CRISPR arrays when a viral DNA is injected, which allows them to “remember” and use the Cas9 enzyme to destroy the virus. However, the new genetic engineering method of CRISPR-Cas9 was adapted from bacteria’s immune system. Thus, this new method combined with RNA bacteriophages may be used to create alternatives

There are some debates over ethics regarding both the RNA bacteriophage research and CRISPR-Cas9 research since people are unsure of how far this research can continue and be accessible to create an alternative antibiotic. Despite the concerns, RNA bacteriophages may definitely be important during this 21st century when many antibiotics have lost their efficiency and more research is needed regarding virology to save more lives