1answer.
Ask question
Login Signup
Ask question
All categories
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • Business
  • History
  • Health
  • Geography
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and Technology
  • Arts
  • World Languages
  • Spanish
  • French
  • German
  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • SAT
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Engineering
emmasim [6.3K]
3 years ago
15

How can there be further research on viruses and how can it be improved?

Health
1 answer:
kondor19780726 [428]3 years ago
3 0

Answer:   3 Ways Viruses Have Changed Science for the Better

A virus is nature’s efficient little killer. It can invade a cell, take over its inner machinery, trick it into making more virus DNA and escape with a new posse of virus children (often killing the host in the process). They’re really good at what they do, and we’ve been able to harness their skills to learn about – and potentially improve – human health in several ways.

Viruses Show Us the Truth About DNA

Bacteriophages swarm a bacterial cell, as captured by transmission electron micrography. Image credit: Graham Beards/Wikipedia

A virus called Phage T2 played a starring role in experiments that proved DNA contains the stuff of life.

We take it for granted that life is coded in DNA, but in the 1950s many scientists thought proteins contained our genetic material instead. A virus called bacteriophage T2 helped clinch the debate in DNA’s favor in what are now famously known as the Hershey-Chase experiments.

T2 creates copies of itself by injecting its genetic material into bacteria, where it uses the cell to reproduce. Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase created two sets of radioactive T2 viruses – one with glowing protein and one with glowing DNA – and set them loose on bacteria.

The experiment showed that infected bacteria lit up only when exposed to glowing DNA, proving that DNA had been passed on to the cells, while the glowing protein was discarded. Here’s an animated explainer from UC Davis.

Viruses and Genetic Engineering

Common anatomy of bacteriophages, viruses that attack bacteria, as captured by transmission electron microscope. Image credit: Sorenson et al./PLoS ONE

Bacteria-eating viruses helped scientists discover a new way to genetically modify cells in just about any organism – including humans.

Bacteriophages are viruses that reproduce by injecting their DNA into bacteria, often killing the bacterium in the process. But in the 1980s, it was discovered that bacteria have a natural defense system, and scientists have recently learned to use this system to engineer DNA on command. It’s called CRISPR/Cas9, and it’s proving to be a cheap, fast and accurate way to manipulate DNA in the lab.

A powerful “search and replace” tool, CRISPR/Cas9 allows scientists to “train” cells to hunt down specific genes to disable them, and even to repair faulty genes by swapping in single genetic “letters.” Many believe that CRISPR/Cas9 will be used to treat diseases in the near future. Scientists recently used CRISPR/Cas9 to successfully modify human T cells to better fight HIV and cancer.

Giant Viruses and Stargates

On the left, arrows point to the openings of the “stargate” of the giant Mimivirus; on the right, a Mimivirus with its stargate wide open. Image credit: Zauberman et al./PLoS Biology

Scientists keep finding bigger, stranger viruses, and it’s kind of jarring.

In 2003, scientists accidentally discovered the largest virus ever recorded. It’s called the Mimivirus and, after 10 years of suffering from mistaken identity, genetic sequencing proved that it was not bacteria but the strangest virus anyone had ever seen. It’s about 20 times bigger than the average virus and it contains genes previously thought to belong only to cellular life.

And it has a stargate: a five-pronged opening on the side of the virus’ head opens to release genetic material, infecting a host cell to create more viruses. Fortunately, it only attacks amoebas.

But Mimivirus isn’t alone. Since 2003, scientists have discovered three more giant viruses. The latest, Pithovirus, was discovered last year in 30,000-year-old Siberian permafrost – and it turns out it’s still infectious after a good thaw.

You might be interested in
Can i just kill my self like fr every time i found a girl it always bad i found a good one but she not talking to me i wish i wa
VashaNatasha [74]

Answer:

so you can easily talk to someone on discord it would be easy

Explanation:

3 0
2 years ago
Read 2 more answers
Compare and contrast OTC and prescription medications ​
vlada-n [284]

Answer:

Prescription medications are specially tailored for use by a specific person for a specific use. OTC medications are considered safe for just about everyone and may have a variety of intended purposes.

Explanation:

yw :)

7 0
2 years ago
I have spasms in my left tricep for several days in a row. The duration of the episodes are about 1-2 minutes long and occur sev
maw [93]

Answer:

okay, if you're trying new exercises, then the spasm might continue until you're use to it. if the muscle spasms continue, then you can take some kind of ointment to get rid of it.

5 0
2 years ago
What pathogen is contrallad by a beneficial bacteria
Amiraneli [1.4K]
Biocontrol strain,Bacillus sp.EN71-1 ,Rahnella aquatilis HX2 ,strains of Enterobacter ,agglomerans,Psedomonas spp. ,etc are controlled by a beneficial bacteria.
7 0
3 years ago
The pulmonary artery which has two branches carries blood to
Serjik [45]
The lungs is your answer :)

8 0
2 years ago
Read 2 more answers
Other questions:
  • Foreign object obstruction to the airway in the adult usually occurs
    12·1 answer
  • When an airline flight attendant displays organizationally desired emotions when interacting with passengers, this is an example
    7·1 answer
  • How long does it take for water to be absorbed in the stomach?
    8·1 answer
  • Which of these is a factor that most affects the wellness of a community?
    14·1 answer
  • There are three steps in recycling. which is the first step
    7·2 answers
  • Personal values are best described as
    9·1 answer
  • is this true or false? Complex medical devices must be proven safe before the FDA will allow them to be sold in the US.
    7·1 answer
  • When playing team sports, it is stressed that you should try to win all the time and not care too much about how fun the sport r
    15·2 answers
  • Peanuts are a source of
    12·2 answers
  • Initial encounter for injury sustained due to nightgown catching fire while cooking breakfast at home. List the main term used t
    11·1 answer
Add answer
Login
Not registered? Fast signup
Signup
Login Signup
Ask question!