Problem: Respond to this post from a classmate in an essay style format: This week, I selected a recent study by Namai et al. (2020), in which researchers created a genetically modified organism focused on improving health outcomes. The organism is Lactococcus lactis, a food-grade lactic acid bacterium that was engineered to hyper-secrete the anti-inflammatory protein interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). To select and identify the modified bacterium, the authors utilized a standard plasmid vector (pNZ8148#2:SEC) carrying the mIL-1Ra gene. Successful transformants were labeled NZ-IL1Ra, and the secretion of the IL-1Ra protein served as the visible marker of modification. Transformation was achieved by introducing the plasmid into L. lactis NZ9000, enabling the bacterium to produce the therapeutic protein. Need Assignment Help?