Viruses that Kill Cancer. |
In the era of molecular biology, viruses are being adapted for our own purposes. They have served as powerful tools for gene manipulation and now they are showing promise for use in anti-cancer therapies.Viruses, in their mission to hijack cells for their own replication, happen to target many of the same genes that are mutated when a cell becomes cancerous. Therefore viruses are amenable to reengineering as cancer killing machines. There are currently several viruses being developed into microscopic smart bombs.
Viruses were actually the first genetic engineers. Viruses were designed by the blind watchmaker of evolution to hijack the functions of a cell in order to replicate. They have developed a widely varied arsenal in order to accomplish their sole goal of propagation. Viruses are simple when compared to the cells that they employ as hosts because they tend to be composed only of a protein coat and genetic material. Whereas, a cell is a bewilderingly complex array of processes. Also a virus is dormant until it docks with a cell and proceeds to have its way with the biochemistry of its victim.
Viruses have evolved in a multitude of ways to work their magic. There are viruses that kill within days such as Ebola and there are viruses that kill after years such as HIV. There are viruses that do not kill and are, for the most part, inconveniences such as the infuenza virus and the common cold virus. Other viruses, such as the reovirus, have no noticeable effects in humans. Some viruses have even been linked to cancer such as the human papillomavirus which is a primary risk factor for cervical cancer.
More about Cancer-killing Viruses.
Created January 17th, 1999. Copyright 1999 by Duane Hewitt
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