"Safe" Ebola virus?

Jstas
Jstas Posts: 14,842
edited January 2008 in The Clubhouse
Just saw this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7196812.stm

Essentially what scientists have done is neutralize the Ebola virus. I mean, it's not a sure fire way to stop it but it's a huge step in making progress towards curing things caused by viruses.

They removed a protein string that allows the virus to replicate. No protein string, the virus doesn't copy itself. It essentially allows the scientists to work with the virus without being infected by it.

What they did though was grew monkey kidney cells that contain the protein string that the virus needs to replicate so that they can still study it. But if the virus transfers to a human, the human cells do not have the necessary protein for the virus to replicate therefore, it's essentially harmless.

This is some neat stuff because if they can do it to one virus, there's gotta be a way to do it to others like HIV and such. This is a huge boost to research and may even lead to a way to stop viruses dead in their tracks itself. I mean, currently, antibiotics are the only way to fight a virus and they are quite ineffective. Some viruses have vaccines but the problem with them is that eventually the virus mutates to adapt to the vaccine. But, if you destroy the virus' genetic code to reproduce, you don't need to fight it, you just have to wait for it to die.

Cool stuff. Very sneaky trickin' the viruses like that. I like it!
Expert Moron Extraordinaire

You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
Post edited by Jstas on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,001
    edited January 2008
    Would be great if we could do the same for Bose consumers.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited January 2008
    Very cool, but messing with nature can be dangerous stuff...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited January 2008
    Polkmaniac wrote: »
    Very cool, but messing with nature can be dangerous stuff...

    You got that right. "I am Legend" is a movie that showcases that very thing. Scientist developed a virus that cured cancer, then wiped out civilization. Mess with mother nature and she will find a way to correct your meddleing.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,838
    edited January 2008
    Jstas wrote: »
    Just saw this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7196812.stm

    What they did though was grew monkey kidney cells that contain the protein string that the virus needs to replicate so that they can still study it. But if the virus transfers to a human, the human cells do not have the necessary protein for the virus to replicate therefore, it's essentially harmless.

    One word: Mutations.
    Jstas wrote:
    Cool stuff. Very sneaky trickin' the viruses like that. I like it!

    Viruses may be dumb, but you have to get them credit:
    They're persistent.
    Very persistent.
    Sal Palooza
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited January 2008
    Persistent is RIGHT!! Mother Nature does NOT lose! We might get a 'tie' from time to time, but she always figures out an 'end run'!
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2008
    Nice on skipf. I Am Legend is exactly what I was thinking when I read it. That movie was a creepy idea.
    Jake
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,394
    edited January 2008
    Click. Flashback of the movie "I am Legend"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shawn474
    shawn474 Posts: 3,052
    edited January 2008
    Safe and Ebola remind me of two of my favorite quotes of all time:

    "Almost pregnant" and "Mild Heart Attack". Is there any such thing as any of these?????

    Shawn
    Shawn
    AVR: Marantz SR-5011
    Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
    Front: Polk LsiM703
    Rear: LSI fx
    Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
    Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
    DVD Player: Sony PS4
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter