M7A2: Essay: Human Diseases and the MicrobiomeProteus vulgaris bacteria, scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium is covered in flagella (thread-like projections),

M7A2: Essay: Human Diseases and the Microbiome

Proteus vulgaris bacteria, scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium is covered in flagella (thread-like projections), which are used for locomotion. These cells are in the final stages of binary fission, a type of asexual reproduction. P. vulgaris forms a natural part of the intestinal flora in animals and humans and is also found in water.

We have heard so many claims being made about how manipulating the human gut microbiome can improve our health, treat disease, etc. It can be overwhelming. In this essay assignment, you will focus on one particular disease or condition, and then examine both the claims and the research that is being done on the gut microbiome and this health concern. This essay will allow you to utilize the analytical thinking tools you have developed first in the Science Tool Kit exercises and then in other assignments in this course.

Completing this activity will assist you in mastering Module Level Outcomes 2 and 3.

First, watch:

• You will watch portions of Medical Revolution: The Gut Microbiome (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file, 48:58 minutes]. This video is broken up into multiple segments.  To view the assigned portions please do the following:
  • Go to the EC Library NS110 Research Guide for Human Microbiome Assignment (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. 
  • You will be set up for Step #1.  As Step #1 indicates, click and watch the embedded video (Introduction: Medical Revolution: The Gut Microbiome [Video file, 02:34 minutes]).  
  • Then, click on Step #2 on the top left side of the NS110 Research Guide page. You will see a list of diseases/conditions: Obesity, Anti-aging, Diabetes, Cancer, Emotions, Autism and communication, and Mental health.
    • Decide which disease/condition you are most interested in researching.
    • Click on a video(s) within that disease/condition category to view.

Next, read/review:

• Review the assigned readings for information about the human gut microbiome and the disease/condition you selected.
• Click on Step #3 of the NS110 Research Guide for Human Microbiome Assignment (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and select your chosen disease/condition from the drop-down menu.  You will find additional resources on your topic. 

Next, submit the following:

• Write a 750 – 1000 word essay (3-4 pages, not including the title and reference pages) on what you have learned about the gut microbiome’s influence on the disease/condition you have selected.

• Be sure to include the following points in your analysis:

1. How do scientists think the gut microbiome influences this disease/condition?

2. What kinds of research have been reported so far (e.g., just hypotheses or actual lab experiments using mice/other animals or human subjects)? Describe the research and ideas discussed in the video and your readings.

3. How would you describe the current level of understanding about the gut microbiome and the disease/condition you selected?

4. Are therapies or treatments now being used for patients with this disease/condition? Do you think this a good thing or a bad thing, and why?

5. Did you find any sensationalizing or grandiose claims being made for therapies that use the gut microbiome to treat this disease/condition? Do the claims differ from what you found in the research? Explain any differences you have found.

6. Would you recommend that someone suffering from this disease/condition try the therapies you examined? Why or why not?

You are also encouraged to do your own research through our library on the topic. Do not forget to include in-text citations and complete APA style references for all sources. The Excelsior Library Citation Tip Sheets and Resources (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. will be a helpful guide. You may also wish to use a citation generator – you just insert the information, and it creates the citation in the format you indicate (MLA or APA, for example). Here are 3 citation generators to choose from:

1. Citation Machine (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
2. Bibme (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
3. EasyBib (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Compose your work in a .doc or .docx file type using a word processor (such as Microsoft Word, etc.) and save it frequently to your computer. For those assignments that are not written essays and require uploading images or PowerPoint slides, please follow uploading guidelines provided by your instructor.

Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. When you are ready to submit your work, click “Upload Submission.”  Enter the submission title and then click on “Select a file to upload.” Browse your computer, and select your file. Click “Open” and verify the correct file name has appeared next to Submission File. Click on “Continue.”  Confirm submission is correct and then click on “Accept Submission & Save.”

Turnitin

This course has Turnitin fully integrated into the course dropbox. This means that you should only submit your assignments to the dropbox below. Please do not submit your assignment directly to Turnitin.com.  

Once submitted, your assignment will be evaluated by Turnitin® automatically.  You will be able to view an Originality Report within minutes of your first submission that will show how much of your work has been identified as similar too other sources such as websites, textbooks, or other student papers. Use your Originality Report as a learning tool to identify areas of your assignment that you may not have cited appropriately. You may resubmit your assignment through this dropbox as many times as you need to check to see if you have made improvements, until the due date of the assignment. However, once you have made your first submission, you will need to wait 24 hours after each subsequent submission to receive a new Originality Report. Plan accordingly as you draft your assignment. Once the due date has passed, your assignment submission will be considered final.

Evaluation

This assignment will be graded using the Written Assignment Rubric located on the Course Rubrics page within the Start Here section of the course. Please review the rubric prior to beginning your work so that you ensure your submission meets the criteria in place for this assignment. All assignments combined are worth 40% of your final course grade.Image credit:Proteus vulgaris bacteria, SEM. Credit: Science Photo Library/UIG. Retrieved from Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest: http://quest.eb.com/search/132_1330866/1/132_1330866/cite