In May 2011, scientists found a bacterium, Pseudomonas putida CBB5, which could live on caffeine, in a flower bed at the University of Iowa. This bacterium was found to get all of the calories it needed from it caffeine. Caffeine is made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen, all necessary for life, which is why this bacterium can sustain itself off of it. Ryan Summers from the University of Iowa, who carried out this research, found that the bacterium has several enzymes that break down the caffeine, specifically the two carbons and nitrogen rings in its core. By breaking down the compound into carbon dioxide and ammonia, it obtains all of the energy it needs to survive. The researchers isolate the genes that they thought made these specific enzymes, and put them into E. Coli for a test. The bacteria produced NdmA and NdmB.
This research is an example of discovery based science because it is based on studies and observations; there was no hypothesis or carrying out of an experiment. This discovery is important because according to the American Society for Microbiology, this could lead to treatments for different diseases, since the byproducts of caffeine breakdown are natural building blocks for drug used to treat asthma, heart arrhythmias, and blood flow.
By: Veronique Greenwood
Title: “Why Bacteria, But Not Humans, Can Live on Caffeine”
Journal: Discover Magazine (online)
Published online: June 14, 2011
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