Living To 150 » dna

HIV Virus Structure Decoded

Malc — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:59:39 +0000

The genetic structure of HIV-1 – the main cause of AIDS – has been sequenced by scientists in North Carolina, USA. This will give information firstly on how to attack the virus and secondly how it manages to avoid its hosts’ immune system so well.

The HIV-1 virus is an RNA-based, rather than DNA-based virus. In this respect it is the same as the swine flu virus. Being RNA-based makes a virus more complex to understand in some ways. It also gives a virus to ability, potentially, to mutate much faster than on which is DNA based.

Researchers hail the sequencing as an important step in understanding and treating the HIV virus.

HIV Virus Structure Decoded is a post from: Living To 150

Nanotech Rotor Created

Genetic Engineering Uses Synthetic DNA

Malc — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:27:07 +0000

Scientists have used genetic engineering to create a new type of DNA by incorporating eight extra nucleotides – the ‘letters’ of DNA – into it. The eight ‘extras’ are slight modifications of the four nucleotides DNA usually consists of.

The new DNA is structured in a double helix, as DNA usually is.

The result of this genetic biotechnology is a mixture of oil and water in a beaker in a laboratory containing a new, artificial organism. The beaker has to be fed nutrients and alternately warmed and cooled to make the whole thing work.

Within two years, Dr Steven Benner at the American Association for the Advancement of Science hopes to make a self-sustaining version.

The two applications Dr Benner saw for his system were in medicine, and in researching possible alien life. The latter would be helped because it would be useful to study how an alternative system to our own developed.

Genetic Engineering Uses Synthetic DNA is a post from: Living To 150

Method to Combat Genetic Disease

Purple Tomatoes – Modified For Health

Malc — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 07:42:57 +0000

Scientists have ‘modified’ tomatoes to make them purple. They have done this by modifying them genetically such that they contain anthocyanins.

Anthocyanins are a type of a class of substance called flavonoids, which show anti-oxidant activity. Flavonoids produce yellow, red or blue colouration in flowers and fruit. They also offer protection against insects and microbes.

Anthocyanins in particular produce a purple colouration, usually in fruit. Fruits containing anthocyanins include the Vaccinium species – such as bilberries and blueberries and the Rubus species – such as blackberry and raspberry.

Antioxidant Properties Help Indirectly

The first lesson we learn about antioxidants is that they ‘mop up’ free radicals – the oxygen-robbing substances which begin or accelerate cancer, heart disease and aging. However, although anthocyanins – and the flavonoids in general – are antioxidants, the way they help us is not by mopping up free radicals directly. Their benefits are indirect.

Particularly, in some way anthocyanins and flavonoids stimulate phase II of the important two phase liver-detox process. The enhanced Phase II then carries out its normal function of eliminating toxins from the body with extra power.

In this way our DNA can be protected, for example, reducing the likelihood of cancer starting.

Eat Purple Tomatoes – Or Stick With Blueberries?

So – do you want tomatoes modified to be purple; or would you prefer just to stick with eating purple berries which grow naturally?

A purple tomato seems to me to be much like taking an anthocyanin supplement. It has to be easier to get people – eg family members who are not great on fruit and vegetables – to eat tomatoes than to eat blackberries and blueberries every day. Let’s have the choice.

The scientists say at least here is a direct consumer benefit of genetic modification, rather than one designed purely to make money.

Science Daily Article

Purple Tomatoes – Modified For Health is a post from: Living To 150

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DNA – Cheap Genome Gets Nearer

Malc — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:00:10 +0000

Our DNA is unique to each individual. Our DNA can reveal various information about us which could be vital for our healthcare.

For example, once we know exactly the blueprint of our DNA, this will help us to know:

Which diseases we are prone to
Which nutrients we need more than the average person
Which ones we have difficulty in making ourselves – indicating that supplementation is desirable
Which drugs, or combinations of drugs, will suit us best should ever need drug treatment. This might save our lives as well as helping to ensure the dose we are given is suitable for us.

DNA Profile For $1000

It is a matter of time until we know our DNA – ’sequence our genome’ – for $1000 (£550). The ‘$1000 challenge’ has been issued by America’s National Institutes of Health, and a number of companies are working on it.

In the UK, Oxford Nanopore is one company working on the ‘$1000 Challenge’. In the USA, Pacific Biosciences is one company working on it.

DNA – Cheap Genome Gets Nearer is a post from: Living To 150

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Healthy Aging In The 2030s

Malc — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:59:29 +0000

The blog at www.fightaging.org gives some interesting food for thought about the healing methods which are very likely in the 2030s. For example:

Cancer: cancer will generally be curable, and with few side effects. Nanotechnology will be of great value in treating cancer.
Replacement organs: these will be grown from your own tissue, and so will not be rejected, and will not require drugs to avoid rejection.
DNA: inherited genetic disorders will be curable.

Go to post to read further details of exciting therapies on the horizon.

Healthy Aging In The 2030s is a post from: Living To 150