That's some ugly fossil
Posted on 11/07/2006 1:05:54 PM PST by FLOutdoorsman
In a controversial study, researchers have resurrected a retrovirus that infected our ancestors millions of years ago and now sits frozen in the human genome. Published online by Genome Research this week, the study may shed new light on the history of these genomic intruders, as well as their role in tumors. Although this particular virus, dubbed Phoenix, is a wimpy one, some argue that resuscitating any ancient virus is inherently risky and that the study should have undergone stricter reviews.
Retroviruses have the ability to make DNA copies of their RNA genomes and incorporate these into the host's genome. If this happens in a germ cell, the copy can be passed on to future generations. Indeed, the human genome is littered with the remnants of such human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) (ScienceNOW, 29 September 2004). So far, researchers had been unable to recover a complete, functional HERV from a human genome however; part of the reason, they assumed, was that mutations accumulated over the millennia had rendered such viruses dysfunctional.
A team led by Thierry Heidmann at the Institut Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France, near Paris, decided to try to awaken the ancestor of an entire family of HERVs called HERV-K(HML2). To "correct" for mutations, the researchers took dozens of known HERV-K(HML2) sequences and aligned them to create a so-called "consensus" sequence. Then they converted this information into a complete viral genome.
The researchers showed that the newly crated virus could infect a variety of human cell lines and replicate. But its infectivity was extremely low, perhaps because human cells have evolved resistance against such viral invaders.
"I think it's pretty exciting," says John Coffin, who studies retroviruses at Tufts University in Boston. Phoenix may shed new light on how HERVs became part of the human genome and what role they play there, he says; it may also be a tool to study endogenous retroviruses' alleged role in tumor progression.
Others worry that the study sets a dangerous precedent. Although it was approved by the French research ministry's Genetic Engineering Committee, Richard Ebright, a molecular biologist at Rutgers University in New Jersey, says any work involving the potential reconstruction of an extinct or eradicated infectious agent should be subject to a special review at the national or international level. What's more, he says, because the researchers couldn't be absolutely sure about Phoenix's infectivity, the study should have been carried out under Biosafety level 4 conditions--the best-protected labs available--instead of the level 3 conditions utilized.
In the field, the wisdom of reviving endogenous retroviruses has long been debated, says Johannes Löwer, president of the Paul Ehrlich Institute in Langen, Germany, who decided against the idea himself. But Heidmann contends the risks in his study were extremely low. The virus was genetically modified in such a way that it could replicate only once, he explains, and a previous study had suggested it would have weak infectivity
Hmmm...just in time to vote Democrat!
somebody send them a tape or DVD of Jusrassic Park ASAP
And was immediately elected Senator from West Virginia.
lol!
What was that line from Jurassic Park? Something like: "Your scientists were so preoccupied with if they COULD that they never stopped to think if they SHOULD."
That's some ugly fossil
Viral Fossil Brought Back to Life
That was last election with Lautenberg.
"A team led by Thierry Heidmann at the Institut Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France, near Paris, decided to try to awaken the ancestor of an entire family of HERVs called HERV-K(HML2)."
What a shocker. Some idiot "scientist" from FRANCE thought that this would be a great idea.
Just because they can, does it mean they should?
"That's how it starts. First it's 'Ooh' and 'Aah' but then there's running and screaming..."
"I think it's pretty exciting," says John Coffin.
Weekly World News?
At least they kept it in a crate.
Andromeda strain?
LOLOLOLOLOLOL
It's much more likely this is the one that makes people smart.
Look at it another way: if it was a terrible leathal virus, it wouldn't be in our genome, would it?
In other words, the people who caught it wouldn't have descendants. :p
"the study should have been carried out under Biosafety level 4 conditions"
Biosafety Level 4 is required for work with dangerous and exotic agents that pose a high individual risk of aerosol-transmitted laboratory infections and life-threatening disease. Agents with a close or identical antigenic relationship to Biosafety Level 4 agents are handled at this level until sufficient data are obtained either to confirm continued work at this level, or to work with them at a lower level.
Members of the laboratory staff have specific and thorough training in handling extremely hazardous infectious agents and they understand the primary and secondary containment functions of the standard and special practices, the containment equipment, and the laboratory design characteristics. They are supervised by competent scientists who are trained and experienced in working with these agents. Access to the laboratory is strictly controlled by the laboratory director.
The facility is either in a separate building or in a controlled area within a building, which is completely isolated from all other areas of the building. A specific facility operations manual is prepared or adopted.
Within work areas of the facility, all activities are confined to Class III biological safety cabinets, or Class II biological safety cabinets used with one-piece positive pressure personnel suits ventilated by a life support system. The Biosafety Level 4 laboratory has special engineering and design features to prevent microorganisms from being disseminated into the environment. The laboratory is kept at negative air pressure, so that air flows into the room if the barrier is penetrated or breached. Furthermore, an airlock is used during personnel entry and exit.
I saw video of old Soviet bio-weapons labs, the safety (or lack of) was down right scary.
In humanities expansive and never-ending fight against complex modern evolving viruses, wouldn't it be ironic if the crude retrovirus resurrected to assist in this battle exterminated us all? Sounds like a Crichton novel
Sorcerer's Apprentice Mengele ping
Even the very worst plagues killed only a fraction of those infected. Not good if you were in the fraction though.
thanks, bfl
Great idea - resurrect a virus that no living creature for a million years has had to fend off. Schmucks! This is what computer modeling is all about.
Let's hope and pray that there's no "uh-oh" moment involved with this.
Next up, a "consensus" human genome, that has been cleaned up by excising extraneous viral code and other genetic defects.
Why? So the terrorists can get a good head start on us? The bad guys don't have to "undergo reviews" before they forge ahead. We would do well to remember that.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.