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--------------------- 1683 - Can the Ebola Epidemic be stopped?
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- October, 2014, there are 4 cases of the Ebola virus in patients in the U.S. It appears very similar to the Flu virus. Flu symptoms soon become worse. The virus hijacks cells throughout the body to make copies of itself. The liver, lungs, spleen, and blood vessels hemorrhage if the virus is not stopped.
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- In Central and West Africa thousands have become infected. Up to 90% of these infections are fatal.
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- How can this virus be stopped?
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- Science is re-engineering DNA and RNA molecules to prevent the Ebola virus from making the particular protein it needs to replicate itself. The “SiRNA” drug does not seem to effect other proteins.
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---------------------------- RNA is ribonucleic acid
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---------------------------- DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid
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- The double helical structure of DNA was first discovered in 1953. This corkscrew of molecules is a near permanent repository of our genetic code and our gene proteins.
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- RNA contains genetic information too but it is less hardy and more easily degraded, or modified. Regardless, RNA is intricately involved in almost every cellular process. RNA controls the behavior of DNA and protein molecules by increasing or decreasing their activity.
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- Cells manufacture proteins by copying the genetic code found in DNA and producing long sequences of messenger RNA. Combining with ribosomes the messenger RNA grows protein molecules by linking specific amino acids together.
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- All this may sound complicated, but, actually it is easier. Proteins are 3- dimensional structures that are difficult to characterize. RNA is basically a 2-dimensional sequence, a linear problem much easier to solve.
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- Re-engineered RNA treatments may actually cure the Ebola Virus infections. The modified RNA may prevent the Ebola virus from making a protein thus preventing it from replicating itself. RNA treatments may likely defeat this disease if we can get to it soon enough.
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- Other diseases may be treated in a like manner. The hepatitis-C virus is the leading cause of liver cancer. In the U.S. this virus is more deadly than the AIDS virus. In 2013 science found a micro RNA that targets particular liver cells that can remove the hepatitis-C virus. The thinking is that if micro RNA can block the viral replication long enough the body will cure the disease.
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- This is amazing work! Biologists have identified tens of thousands of molecules that direct and shape the organized chaos that goes on within our body’s cells. By manipulating RNA science could potentially develop treatments to cure cancer, infectious
diseases and a wide range of chronic illnesses.
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- To learn more: www.nebi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articlesPMC2724769
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- http://f1000.com/prime/reports/b/5/47
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