Ancient Viruses can be useful to modern day research

    Researchers at Penn state have discovered that some bacteria can carry ancient dormant viruses called cryptic prophases in their genomes. These dormant viral sequences can become a part of bacteria's defense system. They found that recombinase can modify bacterial DNA in response to viral threats only if a prophage is already embedded in the genome. This specific recombinase is known as PinQ. When a virus goes near the bacterial ell, PinQ triggers DNA inversion flipping a section of genetic code inside the chromosome. 

    In experiments with E. coli the proteins were overexpressed, and viruses could not land on the bacterial surface. After repeated exposure the virus evolved a new attachment mechanism and overcame the barrier. Researchers suggest that this kind of ancient viral defense could be helpful for antiviral strategies especially those showing antibiotics resistance.

    Benefits to this research helps understand how antivirus systems operate. This can lead to a better understanding of how to effectively cultivate bacteria used to ferment foods like cheese and yogurt. This could also help improve how bacterial infections are managed in health care settings. 

Sources:  Ancient viruses hidden inside bacteria could help defeat modern infections. (2025, November 25). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205009.htm

Putol, R. (2025, November 1). Ancient viruses inside bacteria may help fight infections. Earth.com. https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-viruses-inside-bacteria-may-help-fight-infections/

Novel drug delivery beats swine flu at gene level

Scientists found a new approach to deliver anti-viral RNAi to target cells against the H1N1 influenza virus. This new method proposed by scientists involves focus on training the human body to produce interferons faster. Scientists are suggesting to use hybrid spherical microcontainers that contain antiviral RNAs to activate the cell immune system. During their study, they used short interfering RNA with microcontainers to interact with the matrix RNA of the influenza virus and found that it lead to the degradation of the viral RNA. By doing this, the viral gene expression is reduced and enhancing the body's immunity against the influenza virus. After their first study by using this new method, tests showed that there was a drop of about 80% in the amount of virus proteins. It seems that scientists are getting closer and closer to the solutions to neutralize viruses like the H1N1 virus.

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The Ebola Vaccine Underdog

NewLink Genetics, an immunotherapy company based in Ames, Iowa, has reportedly developed an Ebola vaccine. On October 23rd, 2014, a high level meeting was held by the World Health Organization. Several NewLink representatives reported that their company might possibly have approximately 12 million vaccines by the beginning of April 2015.

Above: NewLink's CEO Charles Link

           NewLink is a privately traded company with a mere 120 employees. Their competition is GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), who also participating in the Ebola vaccine arms race. However, their initial estimates of Ebola vaccinations are at 230,000 doses by April 2015. From a capitalistic point of view, NLG, is positioning itself to profit significantly from the Ebola epidemic. NewLink's vaccine combines an Ebola gene with a weakened vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Because this is a livestock pathogen, this medium of vaccination is particularly risky.
           Ultimately, the big question in regards to the effectiveness of the Ebola vaccine is the dose amount. Scientists collectively agree that high doses are required in order to make the vaccine effective. NewLink's CEO Charles Link says his employees are experimenting with doses ranging from 10^4 to 10^8 virus particles in one vaccination. If 10^4 or 10^5 is effective at initiating an immunologic effect, then the company will have enough vaccines for West Africa, thus jumpstarting the healing process of an area devastated by this terrible epidemic.

Main Article: http://news.sciencemag.org/health/2014/10/ebola-vaccine-underdog

More Information: http://newlinkgenetics.com/

Mammals no longer use RNAi for antiviral purposes

RNAi stands for RNA interference. RNAi has the ability to block the expression of genes .In the bodies of plants and invertebrates, RNAi plays an important role in viral defense. The RNAi acts as an antiviral system reacting when a plant or invertebrate is exposed to a virus. New research is showing that Mammals have lost this function on RNAi. Instead of being signaled into action, the RNAi is actually turned down when a mammal body is introduces to a virus.




Scientists believe this is due to the evolution of mammal tissues. Since mammal tissues have strengthened an created their own protection, some scientists believe we no longer need RNAi to protect us from viruses. 
Other scientists want to harness the power of RNAi and put it back in use in the human body so that human diseases that are currently incurable can be overcome. 

I find it interesting that some scientists would want to reincorporate this trait that has become obsolete. Our lack of need for this molecule should be a sign of improvement since our overall body tissues have strengthened and can take on the role of protection.  

Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131015103951.htm
More info on RNAi: http://www.macalester.edu/~montgomery/RNAi.html