Significant Breakthrough in Study of Chlamydia

Until recently no one was able to study the genetics of chlamydia trachomatis.  In an article in ScienceDaily scientists at University of Southampton have been advancing their studies towards trying to create a vaccine for the sexually transmitted disease.  Most cases do not show symptoms and which is why it is not well known as the major cause of sexually transmitted disease in the UK.  The researchers have made progress in accessing the chlamydia genome.  The scientists discovered that by treating the chlamydia with calcium ions they could introduce a foreign piece of DNA.  The researchers inserted the gene for a fluorescent protein chlamydia trachomatis. By inserting the fluorescent protein the chlamydia infected cells glowed bright green.  The knowledge and the ability to manipulate the DNA can lead to new approaches to making the vaccine.

 

Chlamydia trachomatis is not only a silent epidemic in the UK but around the world and having the ability to create a vaccine would be useful to mankind.  Maybe by researchers can use a similar process to study and manipulate the DNA of other sexually transmitted diseases.

[caption id="attachment_4184" align="alignright" width="308" caption="Chlamydia Trachomatis bacteria uses humans as a host to survive and replicate. "][/caption]