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Gumby
Fishnologist


Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 26,656
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Genetically modified viruses
#8354767 - 05/02/08 05:44 PM (16 years, 20 days ago) |
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I always thought the concept of genetically modified viruses was weird and something that would only exist a long time in the future.
... Last summer I was in a meeting for the lab that I work at and they discussed genetically modifying viruses for the purpose of labeling cells. I thought it was some hypothetical "it would be so cool if we could do this" type bullshit.
Now... Fast forward to today. My lab has genetically engineered HIV so that it no longer contains the code for HIV/AIDS, but code that causes cells to start producing a fluoresing proteins. Without saying too much, the virus targets cells with a specific protein found on the cell membrane.
We infect the first mouse within the next month. The lab room that they are working in is being changed to biohazard level 3. I'm probably not going to be allowed in there. If I am I'll be wearing a full body suit and a mask.
Science is getting ridiculous.
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DieCommie


Registered: 12/11/03
Posts: 29,258
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Re: Genetically modified viruses [Re: Gumby]
#8354860 - 05/02/08 06:11 PM (16 years, 20 days ago) |
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Awesome! Sounds like fun.
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johnm214



Registered: 05/31/07
Posts: 17,582
Loc: Americas
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Re: Genetically modified viruses [Re: DieCommie]
#8355035 - 05/02/08 06:50 PM (16 years, 20 days ago) |
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This is the kinda stuff I like, in theory/ never done it.
I know people are freaked out, but we'll see. This stuff definatly has the ability to change medicine. I wonder how stable they can make these things as far as mutation goes. HIV stuff seems to be pretty dangerous to mess around with even if its not displaying the typical behavior cuz its DNA encoding is pretty sloppy= high mutation rate.
Why are they messing w/ HIV? And you said it targets specific cells, is the just the same as HIV normally does? REcognizes the cd4-bearing/coreceptor-bearing cells?
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Gumby
Fishnologist


Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 26,656
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Re: Genetically modified viruses [Re: johnm214]
#8355175 - 05/02/08 07:27 PM (16 years, 20 days ago) |
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Nope, recognizes cells in the brain. They've reprogrammed the target protein.
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Baby_Hitler
Errorist



Registered: 03/06/02
Posts: 27,660
Loc: To the limit!
Last seen: 42 minutes, 1 second
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Re: Genetically modified viruses [Re: Gumby]
#8356059 - 05/02/08 11:01 PM (16 years, 20 days ago) |
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Ocrap! Mind control AIDS?
Is this some kind of anti-gayness vaccine?
-------------------- This space for rent
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Visionary Tools



Registered: 06/23/07
Posts: 7,953
Last seen: 1 year, 11 months
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Re: Genetically modified viruses [Re: Gumby]
#8356686 - 05/03/08 03:26 AM (16 years, 20 days ago) |
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--------------------
Edited by Visionary Tools (05/03/08 03:33 AM)
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RuNE
bomberman


Registered: 09/23/00
Posts: 2,331
Loc: tartarus
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
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Re: Genetically modified viruses [Re: Gumby]
#8363667 - 05/05/08 12:07 AM (16 years, 18 days ago) |
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This is pretty old news. From what I understand, it would take 1 psycho with moderate schooling to unleash a virus that could do some pretty good 'population control'.
To be honest, I know a lot of crackpot conspiracy theorists are pushing the WW3 junk like this post, but after thinking about peak oil and our current energy situation on this planet, these crackpot theories are not far off. A virus could do the dirty work, really. The right people would just need the right vaccine.
-------------------- ~Happy sailing~
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