In the new age of green chemistry, scientists look to nature for better ways of doing things. Take biomimicry, in which nature’s structures and processes serve as models for solving human problems. Example: a solar cell inspired by a leaf that absorbs and creates energy through photosynthesis.
At the American Chemical Society’s 238th annual meeting in Washington, D.C., in late August, scientists presented several intriguing findings. Among them:
» Sandcastle worms reveal a secret for making powerful medical superglues that bond in wet environments. These smart worms gather sand grains and other mineral particles underwater, then excrete dabs of self-produced glue on the particles to create tube-shaped underwater shell homes. University of Utah bioengineer Russell Stewart’s team is developing a synthetic version to use for stabilizing and healing bones shattered in accidents and on battlefields. Traditional repairs involve pins, screws and wires for supporting bones at least until they can bear weight. A biocompatible, biodegradable adhesive would better maintain proper alignment.
» Scientists are engineering “biofactories” to mass-produce rare plant extracts quickly and at low cost as healing “bioactives.” Milen Georgiev of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences discussed applying the new technique for cultures of the devil’s claw found in Africa’s Kalahari Desert. This endangered plant is used to treat arthritis, tendonitis, blood diseases and other ailments. Georgiev’s team took devil’s claw leaves and infected them with the Agrobacterium rhizogenes soil bacteria, which acts as a natural genetic engineer, to create a system of hairy roots to produce the plant’s key medicinal chemicals.
The greener side of chemistry
» Green chemistry:
chempower.org
» Government initiatives and the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards Program:
epa.gov/greenchemistry
» New science discoveries interpreted for all ages:
www.bytesizescience.com
» “Killer spices” are being used to repel and sometimes kill unwanted insects. These eco-friendly organic weapons include culinary favorites such as rosemary, thyme, clove and mint. Researcher Murray Isman, Ph.D., of the University of British Columbia explained that mixtures of tiny amounts of different essential oils mixed in water could be used in food safety and indoor pest control in addition to agriculture. Advantages: ready availability, insects are less likely to evolve resistance, and greater safety. After all, any potent neurotoxin is probably going to harm more than the targeted organism. It’s worth noting that water monitoring has shown high levels of home and industrial pesticides. As for shortcomings, essential oils can degrade rapidly in sunlight, so they need to be applied more frequently than conventional pesticides. Isman’s team is seeking ways to improve the natural pesticides. Isman suggested a solution now available to homeowners: Mix some essential oils with dish soap to create a safer alternative to lawn and garden pesticides.
» The first “cruise ship virus” vaccine may come from tobacco plants. Scientists have used a new technology to develop a vaccine for norovirus, which goes viral through cruise ships, schools, offices and military bases.
More proof that Mother Nature knows best.
Reach Robin Tierney at [email protected].
