X-Message-Number: 18918
From: "brent thomas" <>
Subject: genetic vector protects against ischemia
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 19:43:40 -0400

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here is an interesting snippet about a process being developed to genetically 
modify cells so that they react differently (in a more protective) manner to 
ischemic events.


I've long believed that a genetic vector could be applied before 
cryopreservation to A) reduce ischemic damage and/or B) produce natural 
anti-freeze WITHIN the cell so there is no need for perfusion before cooling.


This is an interesting thing because this shows activity in the field that could
be applied (albeit with some tweaks -- to target brain cells instead of heart 
cells for example) within a short time frame, and is an activity which could 
easily (albeit with some necessary access to the genetic vectors) acquired and 
tested with limited resources (CI? another project for your research team?) in 
animal models.


the article (interesting in its own right...prevent heart attacks, avoid death, 
no need to be cryopreserved before mature molecular nanotechnology is developed 
;->) can be found at 
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/04/020412074854.htm


p.s. why do all these articles continue to insist "development is many years 
away" <sigh> haven't any of these people been introduced to the idea of the 
spike! (<-- just a pet peeve...get the book 'the spike' by damien broderick if 
you're interested in some theories on accelerating progress)

>>>

The UF team spent two years developing the heart-attack-preventing gene "switch"
using a combination of genes from human and yeast cells, Phillips said. 


Active only in heart tissue, the switch "turns on" the protective genes during 
the four- to six-hour window when hypoxia is known to lead to ischemia. This 
defends the heart cells in the low oxygen condition and subsequently prevents 
damage to the heart tissue, Phillips said. When the hypoxia goes away, the 
switch turns off again. 


The research has so far proved successful in animal tissue cultures and on a 
limited basis in experiments with live rats, but Phillips said developing 
experiments and treatment for people is still many years away. The researchers 
used components derived from yeast cells to increase production of the gene 
switch 300-fold, which is important because large amounts of the genes are 
needed to reduce the effects of ischemia, Phillips said. 

>>>




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