Small Genetic Change May Stop Ebola Virus

During this experiment, scientists used monkeys and changed a single protein in the Ebola virus called VP35, which enables the Ebola virus to block immune responses to infection.  After changing the VP35 protein, it was found that the body's immune system was activated to fight off the Ebola virus.  Not only did this change in protein help fight off the virus, but it also acted as a vaccine in a way and helped to prevent the animal from being infected. After changing this protein, the scientists presented the monkeys with the Ebola virus and the monkeys were completely protected. 

With these findings, scientists want to see if they can make a drug that can change the VP35 protein in humans in order to protect them from getting the Ebola virus.  Of course, just because this method worked in an animal does not necessarily mean that it could work in humans.  They also believe that working with this VP35 protein could also produce immune responses in other diseases as well.

Ebola is a very dangerous virus that has killed a lot of humans.  I am hopeful that this technique in changing the VP35 protein works in humans and that it can help to fight off the Ebola virus, and also prevent it from ever occurring.  Like the article said, perhaps focusing on this virus can also help to prevent or fight off other diseases as well. 

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2019-09-18/tiny-genetic-tweak-may-stop-ebola-virus-in-its-tracks
https://www.thoughtco.com/ebola-virus-373888
https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/about.html

The Ancient Roots of Ebola

   New research has shown that the family of viruses to which Ebola and its lethal relative Marburg belong to, called filoviruses, are at least 16-23 million years old. Filoviruses have apparently been interacting with mammals for several million years. Knowledge of both of these viruses and their ancient roots and evolution could lead to the development of vaccines and programs that identify emerging pathogens. 

To study the evolution of viruses, the research team at UB, including Jeremy Bruenn, looked at viral "fossil genes", which are chunks of genetic material that animals and other organisms accept from viruses during infection. Scientists have found traces of filovirus-like genes in rodents. One of the genes, called VP35, appeared in the same spot in the genomes of multiple rodent species, meaning the material was likely acquired before rodents evolved into distinct species 16-23 million years ago.

These new findings could help greatly in the disease prevention effort. The first Ebola outbreak occurred in 1976, but scientists know little about it. Understanding the virus's ancient roots can help create a vaccine. Also, knowing more about filoviruses in general may provide insight into which host species might contain undiscovered pathogens related to Ebola. Essentially, the more scientists know about the evolution of filovirus-host interactions, the more can be discovered about who might be involved in the system.


Article: http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2014/10/041.html

Related Article: http://www.techtimes.com/articles/18839/20141027/ebolas-ancient-roots-dig-deep-disease-goes-back-more-than-20-million-years.htm