Bacteria vs. Humans: Score One for Us

[djmarkpaul]

Researchers in San Diego announce a new molecule that stops bacteria from mutating to become resistant to antibiotics.

Microbes have ruled the earth for more than a billion years; comparatively, we humans are just upstarts. Yet since the invention of penicillin in 1940, we have inflicted a crippling blow on many types of bacteria that make us ill or kill us.

But the bugs have struck back by activating DNA that is prone to errors when it replicates. This increases the chance that mutations will develop to fend off the mortal threat posed by antibiotics. In 2005, biochemist Floyd Romesberg of the Scripps Research Institute, near San Diego, announced that his lab had discovered a gene called LexA that switches on the error-prone DNA, enabling the microbe to mutate rapidly.

[…]

Now Romesberg has announced the discovery of a molecule that inhibits LexA’sability to cause mutations; it was found after the lab screened more than 100,000 possible compounds. The molecule also slips easily into a bacterial cell, which is critical to creating an effective tool to zap the bugs.


Full story HERE.

[Sykonee]

Only thing I care about with regards to this story is:

Does this mean we no longer have to worry about Flesh-Eating Disease?


(that shit be scary, y0)

[esoter1c]

Humans are the virus, the bacteria is the cure.

We need another plague.

I hate waiting in line, rush hour traffic etc...

[FireWire]

Won't the bacteria find a way to stop one of those LexA inhibiting compounds soon too?

And also, if we kill all the bacteria, then we won't survive for long ourselves... we NEED something to base our immune systems on and bacteria gives our immune systems a workout...

[.Promoter]

Its just something that will work for now, it goes in cycles.

Personally however i think the earth needs to have some major disaster or war, that kills off half of teh global population at least.

even if i was in that number i think it would be something that should happen for teh good of mankind.

Earth is too populated and all these antibiotics cause poor nations like india and old china to stabalize their sick so they dont die causing massive population growth because once deadly deseases no longer kill.

Then these kids grow up to a world with no employment, but go on to have 6 or more children who can get medical help from red cross medical places once they get sick.

[mapleleaf4ever]

Like they say, nothing is ever foolproof for long as God will always create a better fool. In this case better Bacteria.

[Vitamin-X]

I've always thought we should use genetic engineering to incorporate improvments into our immune systems.
Of course we would have to be very carful and move very slowly;
given how complex genetics are.

[-evil-duerr-]

it's about time they start engineering humans to have 2 extra arms.

you could play video games, eat a cheeseburger, and q-tip your ears all at the same time.

[tiedye]

What about a fifth arm for sodie pop?

[¡lex!]

cool discovery.. definitely worthy of publication but in the realm of public health i dont think it will have much of an impact. many of the places in the world have neither the money or expertise to manufacture, develop, or operationalize a preventative treatment based on this molecule. the fact that it can inhibit the gene's ability to mutate is cool, but the gene is isolated in a lab environment and so the results dont reflect the effectiveness of the activated molecule on genes in the field.

best way to prevent antibiotic resistant diseases is not use antibiotics unless absolutely necessary (it's confirmed that you have a bacterial infection and not a viral one), avoid taking broad-spectrum antibiotics, and wash your hands whenever you have the opportunity.

cudos on the topic.. fuk bird flu and sars.. if we lose our first and even seconds lines of antibiotics to resistant forms of bacteria, we are soo fukt.. 'pandemic' wouldnt even begin to describe it.

sleep well everybody! :D

[lildonkey]

I propose we all start wearing those suits like in the movie "12 Monkeys"

why you ask?

because... have u seen them? plus... it would give me a reason to build a decontamination chamber in my house with vault like doors

and a misty thing that goes "PSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" when u get decontaminated.

[liquidblue]

Just you all wait untill bacteria mutate into super large growth bacteria. 300lb syphalis is coming for you!

[-evil-duerr-]

Originally Posted by tiedye

What about a fifth arm for sodie pop?

THAT IS PREPOSTEROUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vitamin-X]

Originally Posted by -evil-duerr-

it's about time they start engineering humans to have 2 extra arms.

you could play video games, eat a cheeseburger, and q-tip your ears all at the same time.

Well at least the first two.
It's well known that you shouldn't use q-tips on yours ears.
It just pushes the wax against your eardrum possibly damaging it.

[dabbler]

Originally Posted by 3507321C

Humans are the virus, the bacteria is the cure.

We need another plague.

I hate waiting in line, rush hour traffic etc...

:script: