Month: December 2020

Based on your readings this term, discuss a research project that you would be most excited about funding as they relate to learning more about microbial influences on human health. As part of your response, consider what are we likely to learn from the project and how that might be important in future healthcare decisions.

Looking at the research for the coronavirus vaccine, I think it would be extremely interesting and exciting to award funding to that project. A coronavirus vaccine is something that has been discussed regularly, but not with the certainty surrounding this one. Also, the technique of introducing mRNA to the system as a way to trigger the immune system seems very interesting. I would want to know if this project would influence the microbial colonies within the human body. I do not think it would much considering only a little is being introduced but that would be good information to know before widely distributing the vaccine. This would be incredibly important in future healthcare decisions, especially if the mRNA vaccine technique is more effective than the standard dead virus that is injected.

Part 1: Set a timer for 3 minutes, and make a list of as many human non-infectious diseases that you can think of that are influenced by microorganisms.

Cancer, Diabetes, immunocompromized infections, Cardiovascular disease, Asthma, Alzheimer’s disease, Arthritis, Obesity

Part 2: Refer back to your Writing Exercise #1 that you completed the first week of class. Reflect and discuss how your responses have changed from week 1 to week 10, and what the most important topics you will take away with you once you have completed the course.

The diseases I have listed in Writing Exercise #1 were much more specific than the ones I chose for this week. This is due to my understanding of what a non-infectious disease expanding over this course. At first, I had thought that a non-infectious disease had to affect the patient immediately from the microorganisms. Now I understand that microorganisms have a long term effect that could help or damage the body long term. The most important topic I will take away from this course is the skill of analyzing different types of scientific articles and applying them to the broader topic that is discussed. Taking this class during the pandemic really helped me understand in a broader way the effect microbes can have on us as individuals and as a community.