Genetic cure for asthma

Danish researchers look to genetic cure for asthma

New technique could also lead to vaccine for cancer
Asthma

Danish researchers have developed a novel genetic method that could lead to the development of safe and effective vaccines for controlling diseases such as cancer, asthma, and allergies.
“The major research breakthrough is that we have created a general and user-friendly platform for the development of a special type of effective and safe vaccines,” said one of the researchers Adam Sander from University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
“The highly effective method opens a new door for controlling diseases such as cancer, asthma, allergies and cardiovascular diseases by means of vaccines,” Sander pointed out.
The method was described in the Journal of Nanobiotechnology.
The idea behind the new technique is to mimic the structure of a virus. When you have made the virus structure, it is used as a platform onto which are glued harmless parts of the disease which you want to vaccinate against.
This creates an overall virus-like structure, which constitutes an important danger signal for the body. The immune system would therefore produce antibodies against the disease -- a mechanism which has been difficult to activate by traditional vaccines.
The technology is also so effective that it can trick the immune system into attacking the body’s own cells, which may be used in the treatment of a number of serious diseases, such as cancer, which are not caused by foreign organisms, the study said.
“Previously, it was a major problem to activate the immune system and get an adequate response. We have lacked the possibility to easily create a vaccine which mimics something that will trigger a natural response from the body, but the new virus-like platform now allows us to do so,” Susan Thrane from University of Copenhagen noted.
“In other words, we now have a unique technique that enables us to develop vaccines against diseases that we have so far been unable to fight,” Thrane pointed out.
“It will be a game changer for low-income countries, which can now make vaccines targeted at widespread diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. There is no doubt that the new results will have a significant impact on tomorrow’s vaccines and public health,” Ali Salanti, professor at University of Copenhagen, said.
Source: Gulf News

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#Education: LAUTECH Upgrades Nursing Department to Faculty of Nursing Sciences

Image
Nigeria - The growth of nursing profession in Nigeria is considered "slow as snail" yet its moving up the ladder. Nursing is one of the fastest growing profession in the world. Another giant stride for nursing profession in Nigeria has been achieved. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, Oyo State recently upgraded its Nursing Department to a full fledged Faculty of Nursing. This is the first faculty of Nursing in a State University in Nigeria. Professor B.L. Ajibade, has been confirmed the Acting Dean of Faculty of Nursing, LAUTECH. He's an erudite scholar, a seasoned administrator, a loving mentor, a professional nurse per excellence, an experienced academician, and a dynamic nursing achiever. Adams Health Blog wishes Professor a successful tenure in sound health and admonishes never relent in efforts until nursing of desired is attained. Congratulations Professor B.L. Ajibade Congratulations Nursing Community LAUTECH Congratulati
Read more

Say No To Tobacco - WHO

Image
Today is World No Tobacco Day. Facts: Tobacco KILLS 1 person every 4 seconds ? There are much greater things in life to take your breath away!  "Say #NoTobacco! 🚭" Fact: Tobacco KILLS 8 million people each year. This includes 1 MILLION deaths from second-hand smoking exposure. Today and every day, don't let tobacco take your breath away! Fact: Tobacco smokers are up to 22 times more likely to develop lung cancer in their lifetime, compared to non-smokers. Fact: 1 in 5 tobacco smokers will develop chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema in their lifetime, resulting in agonizing breathing difficulties. Fact:  Children who breathe second-hand smoke are more likely to develop #asthma and experience frequent and more severe asthma attacks. Fact: Exposure to tobacco smoking impacts greatly on the lung health of people around the world, including: 1. Lung cancer 2. Chronic respiratory disease 3. Across the life-course 4. Tuberculosis 5. Air pollution Fact:
Read more