Scientists devised a new system for naming bacteria, changed the three-century-old practice
Scientists have developed a new genome sequencing-based system 'Seq-code' for naming bacteria. Along with this, the practice of naming 300 years old organisms has been changed. It has been claimed that by doing this it will be easier for scientists to know these microorganisms, while it can help in the identification of new generation antibiotics to the search for cancer treatment.
Names are kept like this
About 300 years ago, due to the innumerable diversity of plant and animal species, naming them had become a problem for natural scientists. It was becoming difficult to distinguish one organism or species from another. To address this, the Swedish botanist Carl Linnes introduced a logical bi-nomial system in 1737. In this, the names of all the living beings, trees, plants, etc. would be kept in two parts. The first part would have been their genus, which would have served as a surname. Second, characterize that species. This combination made it possible to get a specific name for almost all living beings. Like we humans are called homo sapiens. In this, Homo became our genus, the Latin word for man. And Sapien means one who has wisdom. Karl's bi-nominal system became the rule for naming animals, birds, plants, algae, fungi, viruses, and bacteria, these came to be called codes. agency
An effective, formal, and stable naming system of bacteria will help scientists to find out more about the diversity of these microbes on Earth. What is their role in our environment, it will also be known. Scientists will be able to talk to each other about their research in a more concrete way about bacteria. Scientists involved in creating the new system also claim that it will also help in finding new generation antibiotics and cancer treatment. This new genome-based system of naming bacteria was initiated in 2018 in collaboration with the National Science Foundation in the US. It was adopted as Seek-code in September 2022 after long deliberation and study. Even after the introduction of this system, the old system of naming pure culture bacteria will continue.
problem with bacteria
For the first time in 1867, detailed rules for naming bacteria were drawn up, every six years they would be considered by the International Botanical Congress. Meanwhile, today's modern science and technology have helped to study prokaryotes in depth, which are included in the bacterial family. The bi-nominal system was not working on prokaryotes because these single-celled organisms are unique. So far, there are 18,000 known species and scientists estimate the number of unknowns to be from thousands to millions of crores. Under the rule of nomenclature, pure cultures of bacteria from two different countries should also be found. At the same time, there is no nucleus in the center of these prokaryotic. Pure cultures of these cannot be grown on their own in a laboratory on a Petri dish.
and so the practice changed
For this reason, a new Seek code was prepared. It determines the species from DNA sequencing data. Instead of cultivating a species of prokaryotic bacteria and studying it in the lab, scientists will be able to rely on its DNA sequencing. They will get the genome of this microorganism, which is called the blueprint of DNA. In this all the functioning of an organism is present. The sequencing data is assumed to be permanent. This will help in identifying a particular species and its differences from other species. The new system could help in everything from the identification of a new generation of antibiotics to the search for a cure for cancer.
