Source- Nature.com

(Published in J. Exp. Med. 202, 1-10 (2005)

8/7/05  

A Vaccine that Protects Mice Against Fungus

Scientists in Italy have developed a new vaccine that protects mice against two types of fungal infections. 

They designed the vaccine in such a way that the mice's immune system was sensitized to a large molecule, known as ß glucan, found in fungal cell wall. To render the vaccine more effective, the researchers conjugated the sugar with a carrier protein derived from a diphtheria toxin. Over 60% of vaccinated mice survived 30 days following exposure to the fungus, Candida albican, compared to only 20% of mice that did not receive the vaccine. Candida albican is the most common yeast infection in humans. The vaccine was even more effective against Aspergillus fumigatus spores.

These experiments show promising results for future development of vaccine against an array of fungal infections.

Source- Yahoo Science News

(Adapted from Lauran Neegaard, AP Medical Writer).

7/24/05  

Gene Map of Parasites May Help with Drug Discovery

Researchers have mapped the genes of three parasites prevalent in many poor countries. Although the parasites cause different diseases, they shared very similar DNA sequence.

The parasites are:

Trypanosoma brucei which causes sleeping sickness and is spread by a fly known as tsetse fly. The fly is spread throughout equatorial Africa and infects up to 500,000 people per year.  

Trypanosoma crusi which causes Chagas disease. The vector is bloodsucking triatomine bugs prevalent in Latin America. About 18 million people are infected and 45,000 die annually for the disease from heart failure.

Leishmania major which causes  leishmaniasis and is spread via the sand fly. Sand fly are found in Latin American and the Middle East. About 12 million people are infected and thousands die from the disease that causes disfiguration due to skin lesions.

Scientists are hoping to develop drugs that would fight all the three parasites. A possible vaccine is in the works against Chagas disease.

Scientists have uncovered 6,200 genes that are shared by the three parasites which was led by the University of Washington and The Institute for Genomic Research in Rockville, Md.

Source- Yahoo Science News 

6/15/05 

Genes May Play a Role in Shyness

Short “junk” DNA may be to blame for being shy. Scientists at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University and the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN)  in Atlanta have conducted studies using two groups of prairie voles, which are a type of rodent, with short and long versions of junk or microsatellite DNA. The researchers bred the two groups and compared the male offspring after they matured. The scientists measured the levels of vasopressin receptors in brain areas involved in social behavior and parental care. Male prairie voles with long junk DNA had higher levels of vasopressin receptors. These animals approached strangers more quickly, spent more time investigating social odors, formed bonds with mates, and spent more time nurturing their offspring than males with short junk DNA. 

According to CBN researcher Larry J. Young, this is the first study that demonstrates a link between junk DNA length, gene expression patterns in the brain, and social behavior across several species. The results may help scientists better understand human social behavior.  The study is published in the current issue of the Science journal.

Source- Yahoo Science News 

5/25/05 

Porcupine Quill Test Shows it is a Girl

Scientists at the National Zoo in Washington used DNA from the quill of a porcupine to determine its sex. 

Porcupine sexual organs are internal and it takes many months to determine the sex using a method known as anal palpation. However, it took only a week to find out the sex using the DNA method. This method is used on other mammals such as kit foxes and young elephants.

The new baby porcupine has been named Buddha.

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