Researchers Use Gene Therapy-esque Technology to Cure Ebola In Macaques

Link to the article

This will likely be heavily covered pretty much everywhere, but I want to get in on the fun too.

Researchers have used a technology called siRNA, or small interfering RNA, to cure the ebola virus in macaques. What the hell are small interfering RNAs? Let me explain....

1. RNA, unlike DNA, is single stranded. It is made by RNA polymerase, which is simply an enzyme that reads DNA to make RNA. This process is called Transcription.

2. There are several different kinds of RNA, but in this case the RNA moves to the ribosome (oh yeah...remember learning about the cell in grade 9? this is why...). This process is called Translation.

3. The ribosome reads the RNA and makes a protein.

4. Those proteins then make up tissues, organs, neurons etc. In short, they make YOU. This is why DNA is said to be the 'blueprint of life'.....it all starts with DNA.

5. siRNA molecules are very short, and double stranded.

6. One of these strands then interferes with the RNA (see above) so that the protein cannot be made.

7. This RNA interference is a post-transcriptional (see above) gene silencing mechanism. So the gene that is the blueprint for the protein remains intact, it is just simply not allowed to make that protein.

In the case of the ebola virus, they stopped the virus from reproducing by interfering with the RNA needed to make a protein that is essential for replication. Thus, allowing the body to mount an immune response against the virus.

Just think of the implications!! I think that this is pretty amazing. All the viruses out there that we dont have a cure for, or even good treatments for! This is very promising research and I am thoroughly impressed.

- TinieBop

See ya in the comments.