TEDxAarhus
Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi: To detect diseases earlier, let's speak bacteria's secret language
Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi: Kutambua magonjwa mapema, tuongee lugha ya siri ya bakteria
Filmed:
Readability: 4.9
1,799,889 views
Bakteria "wanaongea" pamoja, wakituma taarifa za kemikali kuunda mashambulizi. Je kama tungesikiliza wanachosema? Mnanofizikia Fatima AlZahra's Alatraktchi ameunda kifaa cha kupeleleza mazungumzo ya bakteria na kutafsiri mazungumzo yao ya siri kwenda lugha ya binadamu. Kazi yake inaweza kuandaa njia ya ugunduzi wa mapema wa ugonjwa -- kabla hata hatujaumwa.
Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi - Nanophysicist, entrepreneur
Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi invented a method to spy on the social behavior and communication of bacteria. Full bio
Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi invented a method to spy on the social behavior and communication of bacteria. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
Hauwajui.
00:13
You don't know them.
0
1992
1325
00:16
You don't see them.
1
4150
1286
Hauwaoni.
00:18
But they're always around,
2
6405
2003
Lakini daima wapo wanazunguka,
00:21
whispering,
3
9404
1680
wananong'oneza,
00:23
making secret plans,
4
11108
1814
wakitengeneza mipango ya siri,
00:25
building armies with millions of soldiers.
5
13700
3682
wakijenga jeshi la mamilioni ya wanajeshi.
00:30
And when they decide to attack,
6
18826
1791
Na wanapoamua kushambulia,
00:33
they all attack at the same time.
7
21435
2262
wanashambulia kwa wakati mmoja.
00:39
I'm talking about bacteria.
8
27130
1779
Ninaongelea kuhusu bakteria.
00:40
(Laughter)
9
28933
1325
(Kicheko)
00:42
Who did you think I was talking about?
10
30282
1855
Mlidhani ninaongelea kuhusu nani?
00:46
Bacteria live in communities
just like humans.
just like humans.
11
34401
3194
Bakteria wanaishi kwenye jamii
kama tu binadamu.
kama tu binadamu.
00:49
They have families,
12
37619
1273
Wana familia,
00:50
they talk,
13
38916
1151
wanaongea,
00:52
and they plan their activities.
14
40091
1842
na wanapanga shughuli zao.
00:53
And just like humans, they trick, deceive,
15
41957
2657
Na kama tu binadamu, wanahila, waongo,
00:56
and some might even cheat on each other.
16
44638
2134
na wengine hata wanadanganyana wenyewe.
01:00
What if I tell you that we can listen
to bacterial conversations
to bacterial conversations
17
48127
3847
Je kama nikikuambia kua tunaweza
kusikiliza mazungumzo ya bakteria
kusikiliza mazungumzo ya bakteria
01:03
and translate their confidential
information into human language?
information into human language?
18
51998
3574
na kutafsiri taarifa zao za siri
kuwa lugha ya binadamu?
kuwa lugha ya binadamu?
01:08
And what if I tell you that translating
bacterial conversations can save lives?
bacterial conversations can save lives?
19
56255
4798
Na kama je nikiwaambia kuwa kutafsiri
mazungumzo ya bakteria kutaokoa maisha?
mazungumzo ya bakteria kutaokoa maisha?
01:14
I hold a PhD in nanophysics,
20
62519
1771
Nina PhD ya nanofizikia,
01:16
and I've used nanotechnology
to develop a real-time translation tool
to develop a real-time translation tool
21
64314
4376
na nimetumia teknolojia ya nano kuunda
chombo cha kutafsiri cha muda halisi
chombo cha kutafsiri cha muda halisi
01:20
that can spy on bacterial communities
22
68714
2319
kinachoweza kupeleleza kwenye jamii
za bakteria
za bakteria
01:23
and give us recordings
of what bacteria are up to.
of what bacteria are up to.
23
71057
2916
na kutupa rekodi za nini
bakteria wanafanya.
bakteria wanafanya.
01:28
Bacteria live everywhere.
24
76123
1596
Bakteria wanaishi kila sehemu.
01:29
They're in the soil, on our furniture
25
77743
2329
Wako kwenye udongo, kwenye samani zetu
01:32
and inside our bodies.
26
80096
1311
na ndani ya miili yetu.
01:34
In fact, 90 percent of all the live cells
in this theater are bacterial.
in this theater are bacterial.
27
82083
4539
Ki ukweli, asilimia 90 ya seli zote hai
kwenye huu ukumbi ni bakteria.
kwenye huu ukumbi ni bakteria.
Baadhi ya bakteria ni wazuri
kwetu;
kwetu;
01:39
Some bacteria are good for us;
28
87915
1599
01:41
they help us digest food
or produce antibiotics.
or produce antibiotics.
29
89538
3212
wanatusaidia kumeng'enya chakula
au kutengeneza dawa.
au kutengeneza dawa.
01:44
And some bacteria are bad for us;
30
92774
2092
Na baadhi ya bakteria na wabaya kwetu:
01:46
they cause diseases and death.
31
94890
1894
wanasababisha magonjwa na kifo.
01:49
To coordinate all
the functions bacteria have,
the functions bacteria have,
32
97794
2416
Kushirikisha kazi zote bakteria
walizonazo,
walizonazo,
01:52
they have to be able to organize,
33
100234
2072
wanatakiwa wawe na uwezo wa
kupanga,
kupanga,
01:54
and they do that just like us humans --
34
102330
2041
na wanafanya hivyo kama tu sisi
binadamu --
binadamu --
01:56
by communicating.
35
104395
1159
kwa mawasiliano.
01:58
But instead of using words,
36
106751
1475
Lakini badala ya kutumia
maneno,
maneno,
02:00
they use signaling molecules
to communicate with each other.
to communicate with each other.
37
108250
2942
wanatumia molekuli za ishara
kuwasiliana wenyewe kwa wenyewe.
kuwasiliana wenyewe kwa wenyewe.
Bakteria wanapokuwa wachche,
02:04
When bacteria are few,
38
112083
1257
02:05
the signaling molecules just flow away,
39
113364
2743
molekuli za ishara zinatiririka nje,
02:08
like the screams of a man
alone in the desert.
alone in the desert.
40
116131
2505
kama kelele za mtu peke yake
jangwani.
jangwani.
02:11
But when there are many bacteria,
the signaling molecules accumulate,
the signaling molecules accumulate,
41
119518
3992
Lakini kukiwa na bakteria wengi,
molekuli za ishara zinajikusanya,
molekuli za ishara zinajikusanya,
02:15
and the bacteria start sensing
that they're not alone.
that they're not alone.
42
123534
2992
na bakteria wanaanza kuhisi kuwa
hawapo peke yao.
hawapo peke yao.
02:19
They listen to each other.
43
127309
1334
Wanasikilizana wenyewe.
02:21
In this way, they keep track
of how many they are
of how many they are
44
129459
2816
Kwa njia hii, wanapima
wako wangapi
wako wangapi
02:24
and when they're many enough
to initiate a new action.
to initiate a new action.
45
132299
3321
na wanapokuwa wengi wa kutosha
kuanzisha hatua mpya.
kuanzisha hatua mpya.
02:28
And when the signaling molecules
have reached a certain threshold,
have reached a certain threshold,
46
136575
3857
Na pale molekuli za ishara zinafika
kizingiti flani,
kizingiti flani,
02:32
all the bacteria sense at once
that they need to act
that they need to act
47
140456
3121
bakteria wote wanahisi kwa mara moja
kua wanahitaji kutenda
kua wanahitaji kutenda
02:35
with the same action.
48
143601
1318
kwa tendo hilo hilo.
02:37
So bacterial conversation consists
of an initiative and a reaction,
of an initiative and a reaction,
49
145967
4326
Hivyo mazungumzo ya bakteria yanakuwa
na mwanzo na jibu,
na mwanzo na jibu,
02:42
a production of a molecule
and the response to it.
and the response to it.
50
150317
3072
uzalishaji wa molekuli
na majibu yake.
na majibu yake.
02:47
In my research, I focused on spying
on bacterial communities
on bacterial communities
51
155094
3340
Kwenye utafiti wangu, nimelenga kupeleleza
kwenye jamii za bakteria
kwenye jamii za bakteria
02:50
inside the human body.
52
158458
1403
ndani ya mwili wa binadamu.
02:52
How does it work?
53
160343
1245
Inafanyaje kazi?
02:54
We have a sample from a patient.
54
162385
1915
Tunasampuli kutoka kwa mgonjwa.
02:56
It could be a blood or spit sample.
55
164324
2538
Inaweza kuwa ni sampuli ya damu au mate.
02:59
We shoot electrons into the sample,
56
167304
2537
Tunapiga elektroni ndani ya sampuli,
03:01
the electrons will interact with any
communication molecules present,
communication molecules present,
57
169865
3920
elektroni zitaingilia na molekuli
zozote za mazungumzo zilizopo,
zozote za mazungumzo zilizopo,
03:05
and this interaction
will give us information
will give us information
58
173809
2381
na huu muingiliano utatupa
taarifa
taarifa
03:08
on the identity of the bacteria,
59
176214
1891
ya aina ya bakteria,
03:10
the type of communication
60
178129
1671
aina ya mawasiliano
03:11
and how much the bacteria are talking.
61
179824
2293
na kiasi gani bakteria wanazungumza.
03:16
But what is it like
when bacteria communicate?
when bacteria communicate?
62
184269
2321
Lakini inakuaje pale
bakteria wakizungumza?
bakteria wakizungumza?
03:19
Before I developed the translation tool,
63
187747
3760
Kabla sijaunda chombo cha kutafsiri,
03:23
my first assumption was that bacteria
would have a primitive language,
would have a primitive language,
64
191531
3846
dhana yangu ya kwanza ilikua bakteria
watakua na lugha ya halisi,
watakua na lugha ya halisi,
03:27
like infants that haven't developed
words and sentences yet.
words and sentences yet.
65
195401
3178
kama vichanga ambao bado hawajaunda
maneno na sentensi.
maneno na sentensi.
03:31
When they laugh, they're happy;
when they cry, they're sad.
when they cry, they're sad.
66
199208
2921
Wanapocheka, wanafuraha;
wanapolia, wanahuzuni.
wanapolia, wanahuzuni.
03:34
Simple as that.
67
202153
1150
Rahisi kama hivyo.
03:36
But bacteria turned out to be nowhere
as primitive as I thought they would be.
as primitive as I thought they would be.
68
204008
4115
Lakini bakteria walionekana kutokuwa
karibu na halisi kama nilivyodhani.
karibu na halisi kama nilivyodhani.
03:40
A molecule is not just a molecule.
69
208615
2240
Molekuli sio tu molekuli.
03:42
It can mean different things
depending on the context,
depending on the context,
70
210879
2754
Inaweza kumaanisha vitu tofauti
kulingana na muktadha,
kulingana na muktadha,
03:46
just like the crying of babies
can mean different things:
can mean different things:
71
214404
2942
kama tu vilio vya watoto
vinavyomaanisha vitu tofauti:
vinavyomaanisha vitu tofauti:
03:49
sometimes the baby is hungry,
72
217370
1770
saa nyingine mtoto ana njaa,
03:51
sometimes it's wet,
73
219164
1194
saa nyingine amelowa,
03:52
sometimes it's hurt or afraid.
74
220382
2019
saa nyingine ameumia au anaogopa.
03:54
Parents know how to decode those cries.
75
222425
2350
Wazazi wanajua jinsi ya kusoma hivi vilio.
03:57
And to be a real translation tool,
76
225624
1882
Na kua chombo kizuri cha kutafsiri,
03:59
it had to be able to decode
the signaling molecules
the signaling molecules
77
227530
2973
kinatakiwa kiwe na uwezo wa kusoma
molekuli za ishara
molekuli za ishara
04:02
and translate them
depending on the context.
depending on the context.
78
230527
4061
na kuzitafsiri
kulingana na muktadha.
kulingana na muktadha.
04:07
And who knows?
79
235497
1151
Na nani anajua?
04:08
Maybe Google Translate
will adopt this soon.
will adopt this soon.
80
236672
2161
Labda Tafsiri ya Google inaweza
kuiptisha hii.
kuiptisha hii.
04:10
(Laughter)
81
238857
2369
(Kicheko)
04:14
Let me give you an example.
82
242386
1718
Hebu niwape mfano.
04:16
I've brought some bacterial data
that can be a bit tricky to understand
that can be a bit tricky to understand
83
244128
3589
Nimeleta baadhi ya taarifa za bakteria
zinazoweza kuwa ngumu kuelewa
zinazoweza kuwa ngumu kuelewa
04:19
if you're not trained,
84
247741
1151
kama hauna mafunzo,
04:20
but try to take a look.
85
248916
1345
lakini jaribu kuangalia.
04:23
(Laughter)
86
251548
1919
(Kicheko)
04:26
Here's a happy bacterial family
that has infected a patient.
that has infected a patient.
87
254959
3477
Hii ni familia ya bakteria yeye furaha
ambayo imemshambulia mgonjwa.
ambayo imemshambulia mgonjwa.
04:32
Let's call them the Montague family.
88
260261
2033
Wacha tuwaite familia ya Montague.
04:35
They share resources,
they reproduce, and they grow.
they reproduce, and they grow.
89
263920
3461
Wanatumia wote rasilimali,
wanazaliana, wanakua.
wanazaliana, wanakua.
04:40
One day, they get a new neighbor,
90
268294
1979
Siku moja, wanapata mgeni mpya,
04:44
bacterial family Capulet.
91
272746
1767
familia ya bakteria Capulet.
04:46
(Laughter)
92
274537
1150
(Kicheko)
04:48
Everything is fine,
as long as they're working together.
as long as they're working together.
93
276157
2790
Kila kitu ni sawa,
alimradi wanafanya kazi kwa pamoja.
alimradi wanafanya kazi kwa pamoja.
04:52
But then something unplanned happens.
94
280377
3006
Lakini kitu kisichopangwa kinatokea.
04:56
Romeo from Montague has a relationship
with Juliet from Capulet.
with Juliet from Capulet.
95
284449
4218
Romeo wa Montague anakua na mahusiano
na Juliet wa Capulet.
na Juliet wa Capulet.
05:00
(Laughter)
96
288691
1150
(Kicheko)
05:02
And yes, they share genetic material.
97
290978
2895
Na ndio, wanagawiana chembe za urithi.
05:05
(Laughter)
98
293897
2109
(Kicheko)
Sasa, uhamisho wa kinasaba unaweza
kuwa hatari kwa wakina Montague
kuwa hatari kwa wakina Montague
05:10
Now, this gene transfer
can be dangerous to the Montagues
can be dangerous to the Montagues
99
298630
2751
05:13
that have the ambition to be the only
family in the patient they have infected,
family in the patient they have infected,
100
301405
4066
waliokuwa na matarajio ya kuwa familia
pekee kwenye mgonjwa waliomshambulia,
pekee kwenye mgonjwa waliomshambulia,
kugawana chembe za urithi
kunachangia
kunachangia
05:17
and sharing genes contributes
101
305495
1424
05:18
to the Capulets developing
resistance to antibiotics.
resistance to antibiotics.
102
306943
2834
kwa wakina Capulet kutengeneza
kinga kwa dawa.
kinga kwa dawa.
05:23
So the Montagues start talking internally
to get rid of this other family
to get rid of this other family
103
311747
4645
Hivyo wakina Montague wanaanza kuongea
kwa ndani kuondoa hii familia nyingine
kwa ndani kuondoa hii familia nyingine
05:28
by releasing this molecule.
104
316416
1722
kwa kutoa molekuli hii.
05:30
(Laughter)
105
318688
1150
(Kicheko)
05:32
And with subtitles:
106
320700
1362
Na kwa maelezo:
05:34
[Let us coordinate an attack.]
107
322372
1606
[Hebu turatibu shambulizi.]
05:36
(Laughter)
108
324002
1291
(Kicheko)
05:37
Let's coordinate an attack.
109
325639
1791
Hebu turatibu shambulizi.
05:41
And then everybody at once responds
110
329148
3100
Na kila mtu mara moja akaitikia
05:44
by releasing a poison
that will kill the other family.
that will kill the other family.
111
332272
4323
kwa kutoa sumu
itakayoua ile familia nyingine.
itakayoua ile familia nyingine.
05:48
[Eliminate!]
112
336619
1768
[Ondoa!]
05:52
(Laughter)
113
340129
2132
(Kicheko)
05:55
The Capulets respond
by calling for a counterattack.
by calling for a counterattack.
114
343338
4393
Wakina Capulet wakajibu kwa
kuita shambulizi la kujibu.
kuita shambulizi la kujibu.
05:59
[Counterattack!]
115
347755
1156
[Shambulia!]
06:00
And they have a battle.
116
348935
1425
Na wakawa na vita.
06:04
This is a video of real bacteria
dueling with swordlike organelles,
dueling with swordlike organelles,
117
352090
4618
Hii ni video ya bakteria wa ukweli
wakipigana na viumbe kama upanga,
wakipigana na viumbe kama upanga,
06:08
where they try to kill each other
118
356732
1613
ambapo wanajaribu kuuana
06:10
by literally stabbing
and rupturing each other.
and rupturing each other.
119
358369
2838
kwa kuchomana kihalisi
na kupasuana wenyewe.
na kupasuana wenyewe.
06:14
Whoever's family wins this battle
becomes the dominant bacteria.
becomes the dominant bacteria.
120
362784
3961
Familia ya yeyote atakayeshinda hii vita
anakuwa bakteria mkuu.
anakuwa bakteria mkuu.
06:20
So what I can do is to detect
bacterial conversations
bacterial conversations
121
368360
3279
Hivyo ninachoweza kufanya ni kuchunguza
mazungumzo ya bakteria
mazungumzo ya bakteria
yanayopelekea tabia
tofauti za kwa pamoja
tofauti za kwa pamoja
06:23
that lead to different
collective behaviors
collective behaviors
122
371663
2032
06:25
like the fight you just saw.
123
373719
1435
kama ugomvi mliyouona.
06:27
And what I did was to spy
on bacterial communities
on bacterial communities
124
375633
2917
Na nilichofanya ni kupeleleza
kwenye jamii za bakteria
kwenye jamii za bakteria
06:30
inside the human body
125
378574
2043
ndani ya mwili wa binadamu
06:32
in patients at a hospital.
126
380641
1716
kwenye wagonjwa hospitalini.
06:34
I followed 62 patients in an experiment,
127
382737
2470
Nilifuatilia wagonjwa 62 kwenye jaribio,
06:37
where I tested the patient samples
for one particular infection,
for one particular infection,
128
385231
3748
ambapo nilipima sampuli ya mgonjwa
kwa aina moja ya shambulizi,
kwa aina moja ya shambulizi,
06:41
without knowing the results
of the traditional diagnostic test.
of the traditional diagnostic test.
129
389003
3329
bila kujua majibu ya
vipimo vya kawaida.
vipimo vya kawaida.
06:44
Now, in bacterial diagnostics,
130
392356
4220
Basi, kwenye upimaji wa bakteria,
06:48
a sample is smeared out on a plate,
131
396600
1981
sampuli inasambazwa kwenye kisahani,
06:50
and if the bacteria grow within five days,
132
398605
3124
na kama bakteria watakua ndani ya siku
tano,
tano,
06:53
the patient is diagnosed as infected.
133
401753
2364
mgonjwa anagunduliwa kama ameathirika.
06:57
When I finished the study
and I compared the tool results
and I compared the tool results
134
405842
2819
Nilipomaliza utafiti na
kulinganisha majibu ya chombo
kulinganisha majibu ya chombo
07:00
to the traditional diagnostic test
and the validation test,
and the validation test,
135
408685
3238
na vipimo vya kawaida
na vipimo vya kuhakikisha,
na vipimo vya kuhakikisha,
07:03
I was shocked.
136
411947
1400
nilishtuka.
07:05
It was far more astonishing
than I had ever anticipated.
than I had ever anticipated.
137
413371
3711
Ilikua inashangaza zaidi
kuliko nilivyowahi kutarajia.
kuliko nilivyowahi kutarajia.
07:10
But before I tell you
what the tool revealed,
what the tool revealed,
138
418011
2139
Ila kabla sijawaambia
nini chombo kilionyesha,
nini chombo kilionyesha,
07:12
I would like to tell you about
a specific patient I followed,
a specific patient I followed,
139
420174
2994
ningependa kuwaambia kuhusu
mgonjwa mahsusi niliomfuatilia,
mgonjwa mahsusi niliomfuatilia,
07:15
a young girl.
140
423192
1167
binti mdogo.
07:16
She had cystic fibrosis,
141
424803
1450
Alikua na cystic fibrosis,
07:18
a genetic disease that made her lungs
susceptible to bacterial infections.
susceptible to bacterial infections.
142
426277
3740
ugonjwa wa kurithi uliofanya mapafu yake
kuathiriwa kirahisi na bakteria.
kuathiriwa kirahisi na bakteria.
07:22
This girl wasn't a part
of the clinical trial.
of the clinical trial.
143
430837
2396
Huyu binti hakua sehemu ya
majaribio.
majaribio.
07:25
I followed her because I knew
from her medical record
from her medical record
144
433257
2827
Nilimfuatilia kwa sababu nilijua
kutoka kwenye taarifa zake
kutoka kwenye taarifa zake
07:28
that she had never had
an infection before.
an infection before.
145
436108
2100
kua hakuwahi kupata mashambulizi
kabla.
kabla.
Mara moja kwa mwezi, huyu binti
alienda hospitali
alienda hospitali
07:31
Once a month, this girl
went to the hospital
went to the hospital
146
439453
2105
07:33
to cough up a sputum sample
that she spit in a cup.
that she spit in a cup.
147
441582
2654
kuweka sampuli ya kohozi
ambayo alitemea kwenye kikombe.
ambayo alitemea kwenye kikombe.
07:36
This sample was transferred
for bacterial analysis
for bacterial analysis
148
444916
3126
Hii sampuli ilisafirishwa kwa
uchunguzi wa bakteria
uchunguzi wa bakteria
07:40
at the central laboratory
149
448066
1930
huko maabara kuu
07:42
so the doctors could act quickly
if they discovered an infection.
if they discovered an infection.
150
450020
3466
ili madaktari watende haraka
iwapi wangekuta shambulizi.
iwapi wangekuta shambulizi.
07:46
And it allowed me to test my device
on her samples as well.
on her samples as well.
151
454099
2874
Iliniruhusu mimi kupima chombo
changu kwa sampuli zake pia.
changu kwa sampuli zake pia.
07:49
The first two months I measured
on her samples, there was nothing.
on her samples, there was nothing.
152
457355
3412
Miezi miwili ya mwanzo nilipima
sampuli zake, hakukua na kitu.
sampuli zake, hakukua na kitu.
07:53
But the third month,
153
461794
1167
Lakini mwezi wa tatu,
07:54
I discovered some bacterial
chatter in her sample.
chatter in her sample.
154
462985
2656
Niligundua mazungumzo ya
bakteria kwenye sampuli yake.
bakteria kwenye sampuli yake.
07:58
The bacteria were coordinating
to damage her lung tissue.
to damage her lung tissue.
155
466473
3112
Bakteria walikua wanashirikiana
kuharibu tishu ya pafu lake.
kuharibu tishu ya pafu lake.
08:02
But the traditional diagnostics
showed no bacteria at all.
showed no bacteria at all.
156
470534
4011
Lakini vipimo vya kawaida
havikuonyesha bakteria kabisa.
havikuonyesha bakteria kabisa.
08:07
I measured again the next month,
157
475711
1919
Nilipima tena mwezi ujao,
08:09
and I could see that the bacterial
conversations became even more aggressive.
conversations became even more aggressive.
158
477654
3628
na niliona kua yale mazungumzo ya
bakteria yamekua makali zaidi.
bakteria yamekua makali zaidi.
08:14
Still, the traditional
diagnostics showed nothing.
diagnostics showed nothing.
159
482167
2752
Bado, vipimo vya kawaida
havikuonyesha chochote.
havikuonyesha chochote.
08:18
My study ended, but a half a year later,
I followed up on her status
I followed up on her status
160
486456
3644
Utafiti wangu ukaisha, lakini nusu mwaka
baadae, nikafuatilia hali yake
baadae, nikafuatilia hali yake
08:22
to see if the bacteria
only I knew about had disappeared
only I knew about had disappeared
161
490124
3241
kuona kama bakteria niliowajua
pekee walipotea
pekee walipotea
08:25
without medical intervention.
162
493389
2015
bila muingilio wa tiba.
08:28
They hadn't.
163
496350
1150
Hawakupotea.
08:30
But the girl was now diagnosed
with a severe infection
with a severe infection
164
498020
2833
Yule binti sasa alikua amegundulika
na mashambulio makali
na mashambulio makali
08:32
of deadly bacteria.
165
500877
1318
ya bakteria wabaya.
08:35
It was the very same bacteria
my tool discovered earlier.
my tool discovered earlier.
166
503511
4078
Walikua ni wale wale bakteria
chombo changu kiligundua kabla.
chombo changu kiligundua kabla.
08:40
And despite aggressive
antibiotic treatment,
antibiotic treatment,
167
508537
2496
Na licha ya ukali wa
dawa za kutibu,
dawa za kutibu,
08:43
it was impossible
to eradicate the infection.
to eradicate the infection.
168
511057
2529
ilikua inashindikana
kuondoa mashambulizi.
kuondoa mashambulizi.
08:46
Doctors deemed that she would not
survive her 20s.
survive her 20s.
169
514816
3082
Madaktari waliona kua asingeweza
kufikia miaka ya 20.
kufikia miaka ya 20.
08:52
When I measured on this girl's samples,
170
520404
2105
Nilipopima kwenye sampuli ya binti huyu,
08:54
my tool was still in the initial stage.
171
522533
2199
kifaa changu kilikua kwenye
hatua za mwanzo.
hatua za mwanzo.
08:56
I didn't even know
if my method worked at all,
if my method worked at all,
172
524756
2699
Sikujua hata
kama njia yangu ilifanya kazi kabisa,
kama njia yangu ilifanya kazi kabisa,
08:59
therefore I had an agreement
with the doctors
with the doctors
173
527479
2147
hivyo nikawa na makubaliano
na madaktari
na madaktari
09:01
not to tell them what my tool revealed
174
529650
1861
kutowaambia chombo changu
kilichoonyesha
kilichoonyesha
09:03
in order not to compromise
their treatment.
their treatment.
175
531535
2140
ili kutokuharibu matibabu yao.
Hivyo nilipoona haya majibu
ambayo hata hayakuwa yamehakikishwa,
ambayo hata hayakuwa yamehakikishwa,
09:06
So when I saw these results
that weren't even validated,
that weren't even validated,
176
534111
2803
09:08
I didn't dare to tell
177
536938
1352
sikudhubutu kusema
09:10
because treating a patient
without an actual infection
without an actual infection
178
538314
2807
ka sababu kutibu mgonjwa
bila mashambulizi halisi
bila mashambulizi halisi
09:13
also has negative
consequences for the patient.
consequences for the patient.
179
541145
2610
pia ina matokeo mabaya
kwa mgonjwa.
kwa mgonjwa.
09:17
But now we know better,
180
545092
1622
Lakini sasa tunajua bora,
09:18
and there are many young boys
and girls that still can be saved
and girls that still can be saved
181
546738
3399
na kuna wavulana na wasichana wadogo
wengi bado wanaweza kuokolewa
wengi bado wanaweza kuokolewa
09:23
because, unfortunately,
this scenario happens very often.
this scenario happens very often.
182
551172
3424
kwa sababu, bahati mbaya,
hii hali inatokea mara nyingi.
hii hali inatokea mara nyingi.
09:26
Patients get infected,
183
554620
1543
Wagonjwa wanaathirika,
09:28
the bacteria somehow don't show
on the traditional diagnostic test,
on the traditional diagnostic test,
184
556187
3477
bakteria kwa namna flani hawaonekani
kwenye vipimo vya kawaida,
kwenye vipimo vya kawaida,
09:31
and suddenly, the infection breaks out
in the patient with severe symptoms.
in the patient with severe symptoms.
185
559688
3852
na ghafla, maambukizi yanatokea
ndani ya mgojwa na dalili kali.
ndani ya mgojwa na dalili kali.
09:35
And at that point, it's already too late.
186
563564
2158
Na kwenye mda huo, tayari tumechelewa.
09:39
The surprising result
of the 62 patients I followed
of the 62 patients I followed
187
567219
3554
Majibu ya kushangaza ya
wagonjwa 62 niliowafuatilia
wagonjwa 62 niliowafuatilia
09:42
was that my device
caught bacterial conversations
caught bacterial conversations
188
570797
2543
yalikua chombo changu kilishika
mazungumzo ya bakteria
mazungumzo ya bakteria
09:45
in more than half of the patient samples
189
573364
2216
kwa zaidi ya nusu ya sampuli za wagonjwa
09:47
that were diagnosed as negative
by traditional methods.
by traditional methods.
190
575604
2931
ambao walikua wamegundulika bila kitu
kwa njia za upimaji za kawaida.
kwa njia za upimaji za kawaida.
Kwa maneno mengine, zaidi ya nusu ya
hawa wagonjwa walirudi nyumbani wakiwaza
hawa wagonjwa walirudi nyumbani wakiwaza
09:51
In other words, more than half
of these patients went home thinking
of these patients went home thinking
191
579501
3554
09:55
they were free from infection,
192
583079
1685
kua wako huru na maambukizi,
09:56
although they actually carried
dangerous bacteria.
dangerous bacteria.
193
584788
2748
japokuwa kihalisi walibeba
bakteria hatari.
bakteria hatari.
10:01
Inside these wrongly diagnosed patients,
194
589257
2297
Ndani ya wagonjwa waliopimwa vibaya,
10:03
bacteria were coordinating
a synchronized attack.
a synchronized attack.
195
591578
3020
bakteria walikuwa wanaandaa shambulizi
la kuambatanishwa.
la kuambatanishwa.
10:07
They were whispering to each other.
196
595530
1688
Walikua wananong'onezana.
10:09
What I call "whispering bacteria"
197
597892
1631
Ninachoita "mnong'ono wa bakteria"
10:11
are bacteria that traditional
methods cannot diagnose.
methods cannot diagnose.
198
599547
3004
ni bakteria ambao njia za kawaida
za upimjai haziwezi kuona.
za upimjai haziwezi kuona.
10:15
So far, it's only the translation tool
that can catch those whispers.
that can catch those whispers.
199
603383
3943
Mpaka sasa, ni chombo cha kutafsiri tu
kinachoweza kudaka hao wanong'onezaji.
kinachoweza kudaka hao wanong'onezaji.
10:20
I believe that the time frame
in which bacteria are still whispering
in which bacteria are still whispering
200
608364
3403
Ninaamini kua mda uliopo ambao
bakteria bado wananong'onezana
bakteria bado wananong'onezana
10:23
is a window of opportunity
for targeted treatment.
for targeted treatment.
201
611791
2987
ni nafasi nzuri ya matibabu
ya malengo.
ya malengo.
10:27
If the girl had been treated
during this window of opportunity,
during this window of opportunity,
202
615608
3133
Kama yule binti angekua ametibiwwa
kwenye kuu mda wenye nafasi,
kwenye kuu mda wenye nafasi,
10:30
it might have been possible
to kill the bacteria
to kill the bacteria
203
618765
2501
ingekua inawezekana kuua
bakteria
bakteria
10:33
in their initial stage,
204
621290
1465
kwenye hatua yao ya mwanzo,
10:34
before the infection got out of hand.
205
622779
2106
kabla maambukizi kuwa nje ya uwezo.
10:39
What I experienced with this young girl
made me decide to do everything I can
made me decide to do everything I can
206
627131
3971
Nilichopitia na huyu binti mdogo
kumenifanya niamue kufanya ninachoweza
kumenifanya niamue kufanya ninachoweza
10:43
to push this technology into the hospital.
207
631126
2205
kusukuma hii teknolojia kwenye hospitali.
10:46
Together with doctors,
208
634212
1151
Pamoja na madaktari,
10:47
I'm already working
on implementing this tool in clinics
on implementing this tool in clinics
209
635387
2969
tayari ninafanya kazi kutumia
hiki kifaa kwenye kliniki
hiki kifaa kwenye kliniki
10:50
to diagnose early infections.
210
638380
1822
kutambua maambukizi ya kwanza.
10:53
Although it's still not known
how doctors should treat patients
how doctors should treat patients
211
641319
3244
Japo bado haijajulikana jinsi
madaktari watatibu wagonjwa
madaktari watatibu wagonjwa
10:56
during the whispering phase,
212
644587
1813
kwenye kipindi cha mnong'ono,
10:58
this tool can help doctors
keep a closer eye on patients in risk.
keep a closer eye on patients in risk.
213
646424
3703
hiki kifaa kinaweza kusaidia madaktari
kuwa makini na wagonjwa kwenye hatari.
kuwa makini na wagonjwa kwenye hatari.
11:02
It could help them confirm
if a treatment had worked or not,
if a treatment had worked or not,
214
650548
3282
Kinaweza kuwasaidia kuhakikisha
kama tiba imefanya kazi au la,
kama tiba imefanya kazi au la,
11:05
and it could help answer simple questions:
215
653854
2764
na inaweza kusaidia kujibu maswali rahisi:
11:08
Is the patient infected?
216
656642
1730
Mgonjwa ana mashambulizi?
11:10
And what are the bacteria up to?
217
658396
1810
Na bakteria wako wanapanga nini?
11:12
Bacteria talk,
218
660958
1787
Bakteria wanaongea,
11:14
they make secret plans,
219
662769
2026
wanatengeneza mipango ya siri,
11:16
and they send confidential
information to each other.
information to each other.
220
664819
2823
na wanatumiana taarifa za siri.
11:20
But not only can we catch them whispering,
221
668253
2679
Lakini sio tu kuawaangalia wenyewe
wakinong'onezana,
wakinong'onezana,
11:22
we can all learn their secret language
222
670956
2467
sisi sote tunaweza kujifunza lugha ya siri
11:25
and become ourselves bacterial whisperers.
223
673447
2879
na kua wenyewe wanong'onezi wa bakteria.
11:28
And, as bacteria would say,
224
676973
1714
Na, kama bakteria wangesema,
11:31
"3-oxo-C12-aniline."
225
679656
3098
"3-oxo-C12-aniline."
11:35
(Laughter)
226
683763
1168
(Kicheko)
11:36
(Applause)
227
684955
1085
(Makofi)
11:38
Thank you.
228
686064
1184
Asanteni.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi - Nanophysicist, entrepreneurFatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi invented a method to spy on the social behavior and communication of bacteria.
Why you should listen
Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi holds a PhD in nanotechnology and molecular biology, is a renowned fiction writer and the founder of PreDiagnose, where she's created next-generation diagnostics for early bacterial detection. She's an expert in developing micro- and nanosensors for the detection of cellular molecules and microorganisms.
As a result of her research and academic track, Alatraktchi has received a number of prestigious awards, including the Lundbeck Foundation Talent Prize for outstanding research talents in medicine and health and the PhD thesis of the year award by the Technical University of Denmark. She founded PreDiagnose to transform her research into concrete benefit for users. Forbes listed her as one of the 30 most influential people under 30 in Europe within science and health in 2019.
Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi | Speaker | TED.com