According to a recent report published in the medical journal Science, an indestructible virus gets defeated by UVA Titan Krios Electron Microscope. The gigantic magnifying glass has helped medical researchers identify the best method to do away with the SIRV2 virus, which is said to resist under extreme conditions.
SIRV2 has caused many headaches to physicians as they could not find an efficient cure that could prevent it from propagating to other living creatures. The bacterium was said to resist even when exposed to acidic hot springs with 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Sulfolobus islandicus spores are responsible, according to physicians for very dangerous diseases, such as anthrax. For that matter they have carried out the recent tests hoping they could find a way of improving humans’ defense mechanism, if not a good cure for these bacteria.
They have, thus, closely analyzed tissue samples with the help of one of the biggest microscopes on the planet, namely the UVA Titan Krios electron microscope. The innovative thing about these lens is that they use UVA light to study behavioral patterns in spores.
Recent findings show that highly resistant spores have the capacity to adapt to any harsh conditions, thus, continuing their multiplication. Their adaptation capacity stems from spores’ mutable DNA. SIRV2, particularly, changed its DNA into an A-Form structure, when faced with unfavorable conditions.
This DNA form was initially identified approximately a century ago by DNA researcher Rosalind Franklin. Scientists have many more reasons to enjoy their recent discovery as Franklin’s thesis has finally been confirmed. Until recently, it was believed that the A-form DNA could only be traced under specific laboratory conditions on dehydrated DNA; therefore, medical researchers thought the structure was not specific for any bacteria.
The recent UVA tests, have shown, on the other hand, that this type of DNA is specific for SIRV2. Moreover, it is one of the most resistant forms that has been identified, so far.
According to Edward H. Egelman, PhD, of the UVA Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, the A-form of the DNA is a defense mechanism that spores use in order to protect themselves when living in an unfavorable habitat. “It appears to be a general mechanism in biology for protecting DNA,” the researcher concluded.
In his opinion, the recent findings should not be ignored by researchers as they could lead to an improved resistance against bacteria. The first condition to combat diseases and spores is, in Egelman’s opinion, the good knowledge of the family of bacteria, its properties and its activity.
Doctors taking part in the study have stressed that the defense mechanism specific for SIRV2 was only identified due to the advanced technology used by the UVA Titan Krios electron microscope. The scientific facility is located in Fontaine Research Park within a concrete proofed unit, which gives scientists the possibility to study the evolution of biologic entities away from any possible outer interferences.
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