Test Tube burger!!

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Manbir & Gurpreet

Test Tube burger!!

At Netherlands’ Maastricht University, a team of scientists are developing test tube burger!!

Scientists are currently developing the burger which will be grown from 10,000 stem cells extracted from cattle. The cells are then left in the lab to multiply more than a billion times to produce muscle tissue similar to beef.If the expected meat is developed we may start having meat without animals being slaughtered. This product may be called “in vitro meat”.

How this product relates with our taste buds is the million dollar question. And how people react to such a food item only time can tell.It is said that world’s meat consumption is expected to double by 2050 as the population increases. There may not be enough livestock to feed all with increased population.

In 2009, researchers developed strips of pork using the same method and it was not appetizing.

Medical Tidbits

A new approach for Cancer Vaccine

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Manbir & Gurpreet

A new approach for Cancer Vaccine

Scientist have developed a new technique that uses a library of DNA taken from the organs in which tumors can form and harness the body’s immune response to create a vaccine designed to treat cancer.Researchers from Britain and US are involved in this study. In early tests on mice with prostate cancer, the experimental vaccine could shrink tumors, suggesting it could be developed in future in to a treatment for cancer patients.

Genome Sequencing helps diagnosing rare disorder

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Manbir & Gurpreet

Genome Sequencing helps diagnosing rare disorder

Noah and Beery were diagnosed with cerebral palsy nearly 13 years ago. At the age of 5 yrs they were diagnosed as Dopa-responsive Dystonia (DRD). It is a complex movement disorder involving the loss of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

The muscles of people with dystonia contract and spasm involuntarily. The twins were given L-dopa, which substitutes for the neurotransmitter dopamine they lacked, and they responded quickly. But there were still some lingering symptoms.

6 years ago, Alexis developed a cough that became increasingly debilitation and a massive breathing problem developed.

As luck would have it that the twins’ father had recently taken a job as chief information officer for the Life Technologies, maker of gene sequencing machines.The genomes sequencing of the children were done. When the researchers analyzed raw DNA sequence data from the twins’ genome, they were surprised to find no mutations in the two genes commonly mutated in DRD. Instead the team discovered that the twins carried a mutated gene related to serotonin production that made them deficient in both dopamine and serotonin. Serotonin is another neurotransmitter.

The twins were given a serotonin-inducing supplement called 5-HTP to their Dopamine regimen and this improved their symptoms dramatically within a few weeks.Because of the genome sequencing, and Alexis taking this new amino acid, is able to run on tracks and has been winning races. Seeing them now one would say that there is nothing wrong with them!

The cost of this genome sequencing is not within reach of most of our population. At present it costs $ 10,000 to $ 20,000 per patient. But, companies such as Illumina, Life Technologies Corp and Roche Holding are working to bring down the cost. It is expected that the cost of genome sequencing is going to drop very fast in near future and it is hoped that in very near future the cost may come down within reach of very many patients.

Gene Therapy
Genetic disorders

Organic food linked to E. coli outbreak

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Manbir & Gurpreet

Organic food linked to E. coli outbreak

In 16 countries across the globe, nearly 3,000 people have been sickened and 29 have died after eating raw vegetables contaminated by a group of bacteria collectively called Escherichia coli ( E. coli).

Initially contaminated Spanish cucumbers were cited as the culprit and now organically grown sprouts are being seen as the most likely cause. The source of the infection still remains a mystery. It is believed that organic sprouts, cucumbers, tomatoes or lettuce have been contaminated.The condition has been caused by a rare toxic mutant of E coli that causes abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea. In severe cases, it leads to acute kidney failure and even seizure, coma and death.

Organic foods are fertilized with animal manure and that’s where E coli exist.

Germany, where the outbreak originated, has reported 722 cases of kidney failure, including 18 fatalities, says WHO.

The European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says the E coli outbreak is one of the largest worldwide.

Most of the victims were women and no one knows why.

Organic foods are fertilized with animal manure and that’s where E coli exist.

So, all those who are fond of their eatables from the Organic source, be careful !! It is advisable:

to make sure to wash vegetables thoroughly with clean water.
one may prefer to avoid eating raw vegetables, at least for the time being.
to wash one’s hands after using the toilet and before consuming food.
Peeling or cooking fruit and vegetables can also remove these germs.

Even in the past, several studies have found higher levels of E coli on organic vegetables compared to others. In 2006, a large E coli outbreak was linked to an organic spinach farm in California.

E. Coli Medical Tidbits

HIV Infection showing decline!

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Manbir & Gurpreet

HIV Infection showing decline!

Report released by UNAIDS today said that: the global response to AIDS is showing results. As the world marks 30 years of AIDS, UNAIDS estimates about 34 million people are living with HIV and nearly 30 million people have died of AIDS-related causes since the first case of AIDS was reported on June 5, 1981.

Some of the facts:

Global rate of new HIV infections declined by nearly 25 per cent between 2001 and 2009.
The total number of HIV infections remains high, at about 7000 per day.
26 per cent of all new global HIV infections are among young women aged 15-24.
The rate of new HIV infections fell by more than 50 per cent in India between 2001 and 2009, double of the average decline in the world.
In South Africa it fell by more than 35 per cent.
People were starting to adopt safer sexual behaviors, reflecting the impact of HIV prevention and awareness efforts.
74 per cent of young men know that condoms are effective in preventing HIV infection, compared to just 49 per cent of young women.
In recent years, there has been significant progress in preventing new HIV infections among children as increasing numbers of pregnant women living with HIV have gained access to antiretroviral prophylaxis during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding.
The number of children newly infected with HIV in 2009 was 26 per cent lower than in 2001.
There has been an increase in rate of new HIV infections in Eastern Europe and in the Middle East and North Africa.