learned something new (via NOVA) about the Ebola med that the 2 missionaries received. its called ZMAPP (most folks know), but what interesting is that the research into its development emanated from a researcher wanting to treat cystic fibrosis (a genetic disease). To insert good genes into affected cystic fibrosis cells, they needed certain viruses that replicated within cells, such as Ebola viruses (replicate w/in immune cells, explains why its difficult for folks to recover from disease b/c its intracellular replication impacts the immune sys and rapidly replicates overwhelms the immune sys). the Ebola viruses would act as transporters and carry the missing genetic info into the affected cells for insertion and genetic repair. well, there are receptors on Ebola viruses that bind to cells and allow the viruses to be taken into the cell. the researcher developed antibodies against these receptors by using antibodies from monkeys and then mice (injecting the Ebola receptors into the animal hosts and generating antibodies) that targeted these virus receptors, which would then bind the Ebola receptors and neutralize the viruses, preventing cellular uptake and blocking the viral replication pathway - pretty cool!!!
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 04:18:33 +0000
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