http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/2013/05/wilson/
At the Perelman School of Medicine (University of Pennsylvania) researchers have discovered a new gene therapy. They found that if they give mice and ferrets one dose of an adeno-associated virus (which expresses a general flu antibody) through their noses the animals have complete protection from H5N1 and H1N1. These researchers are extremely excited to see what they can do about the H7N9 virus in China.
They have created what has been nicknamed "the Penn approach". They clone a gene with "general" antibodies, or antibodies that generally fight against many different types of flu, into a vector. The cells in the nasal passage express these flu fighting antibodies. Their logic is that viruses often enter through the nasal passages and that these antibodies could act as mucosa. Antibodies are often used to try and right off cancer but only two have been approved. By using the "Penn approach" treatment could be cheaper, easier, and quicker.
NOS Themes:
Science is Collaborative
Many researchers from Penn have been involved as well as others from Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg; the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg; and the University of Pittsburgh.
Role of Motivation and Curiosity
These researchers had to be motivated to research this topic. Of course, this research can have a huge impact on the world. New diseases show up and some are difficult to fight off. This approach might have a huge impact in the medical world.
This approach sounds really efficient, and I hope it gets approved without any problems. The idea of using the more “general” antibodies instead of specific strains is something I’d never even thought of, and I can’t wait to see where this leads.
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