"Safe" Ebola virus?

Jstas
Jstas Posts: 14,806
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
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Comments

  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,951
    edited January 2008
    Would be great if we could do the same for Bose consumers.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,725
    edited January 2008
    Very cool, but messing with nature can be dangerous stuff...
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  • 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.
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  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,674
    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
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  • 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!
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  • 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
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,394
    edited January 2008
    Click. Flashback of the movie "I am Legend"
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  • shawn474
    shawn474 Posts: 3,047
    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
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