Sunday, May 30, 2010

Curing Ebola

Ebola virus: Scientists discover a breakthrough | Mail Online

A gene silencing approach can save monkeys from high doses of the most lethal strain of Ebola virus in what researchers call the most viable route yet to treating the deadly and frightening infection.

They used small interfering RNAs or siRNAs, a new technology being developed by a number of companies, to hold the virus at bay for a week until the immune system could take over. Tests in four rhesus monkeys showed that seven daily injections cured 100 per cent of them.

The trick is to knock down the virus long enough for the immune system to rally and take up the fight. This approach might work for other viruses as well.

No comments: