Researchers team at the University of Saskatchewan are learning about how an ancient “error correction” system in the human genome helps protect the body against HIV.
The system is occurred by enzymes produced by seven genes called APOBEC3.
The biochemist in the team, Linda Chelico explained that there are seven different variations of the APOBEC3H gene in humans, and they studied two of them particular, and they found both interfered with HTV, but in different ways.
Their discovery may point to ways of enhancing APOBEC3H performance, but they’ve got to be careful when designing an inhibitor because it can bind the protein, but interfere with function.
They are now searching for molecules called peptides that might fit the bill. It’s been a slow process, but they are trying an approach that hasn’t been done before.
After I read this article, I was really surprised that biological technology is developing in so fast speed. These days, many diseases which were impossible to cure in the past are becoming able to treat. I suggest that in the near future, HIV might become able to treat.
I some times think when human become able to cure all diseases, what will happen?
Of course, the development of the biological/medical technologies are wonderful. But I become scared when thinking the future which human got too much technologies(or human would not exist until that point, also).
Category: ryusukey
Leather and meat without killing animals
In this presentation, Andras Forgacs, talked about the technology of creating raw animal products in facility like brewing beer.
He explains that today, 60 billion animals are killed to provide our living supplies such us meat, eggs and leather goods. As the world population expands, more animal should be need. He insists that our livestock are not just raw materials but they are living animals, and also they are already one of the largest users of land, water, and also they cause climate change by producing greenhouse gases.
“But now, there’s another way.” Andras says. He insists that now, they can grow animal products like meat and leather.
He started a company to 3D print human tissues and organs with his father. At that point, some people thought that they were crazy. But now, in medicine, biofabrication techniques has already succeed to create sophisticated body parts, such as ears, windpipes, skin, blood vessels and bones. He explains that meat and leather are made up from cells, the basic unit of life, so it is easier to create meat and leather than those sophisticated body parts. He has already made a piece of leather by biofabrication.
He insist that biofabrication has many pros. But in my opinion, actually, I don’t know if it’s good or not to produce all our meat or dairy from biofabrication. Of course I think that it’s wonderful if we don’t need to kill animals to get meat or leather. Even now, I think that we should reduce the use of animal leather. On a coming-of-age ceremony day in Japan, a lot of furs are consumed only for the day and thousands of animals are killed. But we don’t know what would occur when we started to eat biofabrication products. I think it’s natural that animal are killed for other animals to survive. Many other carnivore eats other meats by killing them.
And also, I think it needs time to those products would spread. When genetically-modified soybean started sold in Japan, many people didn’t bought them. In a similar way, I think many people would feel fear if biofabrication products are safe. It needs long time to spread.
In conclusion, I don’t know if the technology of biofabrication is good or bad. But I think it’s very interesting technology and could be change our lives.
Madagascar divers find silver believed part of pirate stash
We’ve discussed about a silver bar found in a bay off of Madagascar.
The bar was found by a team read by Barry Clifford, who is an American undersea explorer. The bar is about 50 kilograms, and has two clearly visible markings engraved on one side. He believes that the silver bar belongs to one of Kidd’s boats, and there could be more treasure on the floor.
The bar was presented to Madagascar’s president, Hery Rajaonarimanmpianina. He hopes that the discovery of the silver will increase Madagascar’s profile and bring more tourists to the island.
At one point during Clifford’s current exploration, Madagascar authorities called a halt the work, worried the team was violating archaeological procedures. The culture ministry appealed to UNESCO, to help them investigate. The president’s office intervened and the work continued.
I was surprised that even present age, treasures which pirates left was found. At our group, many members said that it’s amazing to find such treasures, because they have enormous value if they sell them. But I think that if you found some kind of treasures, you can’t keep them yourself but give them to country because they have archaeological values. Monetary value is of course fantastic, but many people who search for treasures would be hooked on mysteries of history.