Mimicking Virus Gene Delivery

Thursday August 11, 2011

Influenza Virus Particle Image: CDC/Frederick Murphy

Viruses infect cells by first attaching to their host and then injecting their genome into the host cell. Researchers from the National Physical Laboratory have developed a method for delivering genes inside cells that imitates the way viruses infect cells. It is hoped that this discovery could be used to develop new gene therapy strategies. Gene therapy involves the transplantation of healthy genes into cells to replace missing or defective genes that lead to the development of genetic disorders.
Instead of using a virus vector to transport genes across the cell membrane, the researchers used a peptide sequence named GeT (gene transporter). The cell membrane is a thin semi-permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm of a cell, enclosing its contents. Its function is to protect the integrity of the interior of the cell by allowing certain substances into the cell, while keeping other substances out. The researchers used GeT to enclose the genes and deliver them to the interior of a cell. In the study, GeT was successful in transferring a synthetic gene that coded for a green fluorescent protein to the inside of a cell.acteria Create Food Preservative

Saturday August 6, 2011

Escherichia coli Bacteria Credit: Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH

Millions of people contract food poisoning each year. Researchers from the University of Minnesota have made an interesting discovery that can help in the fight against food-borne diseases. They have discovered a naturally occurring food preservative that kills dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. The preservative, lantibiotic, is produced by harmless bacteria. According to the researchers, lantibiotic is the first natural preservative found to kill gram-negative bacteria. It also kills a wider range of harmful germs than other natural preservatives.
According to the researchers, lantibiotic has several benefits. Not only can it protect meats, eggs, dairy products and canned foods from dangerous bacteria, but it is easily digestible, nontoxic and produces no allergic responses. Another reported benefit is that harmful bacteria have difficulty forming a resistance to it. The researchers have received a patent for lantibiotic and believe that it can be an important tool to protect food from toxic bacteria.