When I did not think the subject of pathogens could amaze me anymore then it has, up pops an intriguing article. During the 1300’s over 50 million Europeans died because of the bacteria Yersinia pestis. For those who do not know what that is, Yesinia pestis is simply the bacteria that the Black Death. Recently an international team of scientists decided to put their mind together, dig up the skeletal remains and find this particular pathogen. By extracting, purifying and specifically enriching the pathogens DNA, researchers were able to sequence the entire genome of the Black Death. By doing this scientists will determine how Y pestis has evolved through the centuries and see what makes it so deadly.http://docp.edublogs.org/yersinia-pestis/ Another great link!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111012132653.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29 Where I got my source from.
That could be dangerous if given to the wrong hands. Hopefully the scientists that are studying the genome of Yesinia pestis are learning how to fight this virus if it does indeed evolve and ever spread again.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the Black Death will not become an epidemic again. Through research and the ability to create vaccines, the Black Death can be controlled and a rarity for anyone to obtain the bacteria.
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