It is an interesting idea isn't it, using archae for help in transporting important medicine? The article that is included with this states that the scientists found a microbe called S. islandicus. This microbe is able to grow and survive in 70-80 degree Celsius temperatures, and also very low pH levels as well. The idea came about when comparing the environment that these microbes are found, to the stomach and intestinal tract of our own human bodies. The idea is that possibly extracting the lipids from the cell membrane of the microbes and using them to create liposomes. These liposomes are like a synthetic capsule that can help transport needed material within them to a specific site. The scientists conducting this experiment found out that just using the crude lipids from the microbes, they were able to construct liposomes that could survive a solution that mirrored that of our stomachs. Although only 10 percent only survived at the end, this still is an awesome step forward because that was just the lipids extracted from the microbes and no added or purified form of them. If these scientists can come up with a make-up that can use the lipids found in S. islandicus with some other molecules, it is possible to change the way certain medications can be introduced to our bodies in a more natural way like insulin. Hopefully one day we will improve this process and make medication introduction to our bodies more natural than having to use injections; just like people with diabetes have to do.
Here is the article: University of Southern Denmark. "Researchers want to turn acid-loving microbes into safe drug-carriers." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 November 2015. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151104124657.htm.
This is very interesting. Did it say why only 10 % survived?
ReplyDeleteI know that concentrations very from person to person, so I wonder (would assume) if they plan on testing this out at different concentrations. By doing so, they would be able to see just how effective this would be in certain situations. Other than that, this is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteReally interesting read. I know I've read about viruses being used to transport medications, but I didn't know archae could be used as well.
ReplyDeleteSo is the idea that these liposomes would release materials into the potentially into the lower gut, or that they would be absorbed into the bloodstream unscathed in the stomach?
ReplyDeleteI agree wtih Kadrienn, how and if varying concentrations will affect this and if it does how they would go about trying to counteract it so it works the same on everyone. This is definitely one step forward in a better direction in trying to come up with a better means to get medicine into the body. I think that's one of the main reasons why people avoid taking medicines all together, well that and because of the cost, even with insurance.
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