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Artificial Prion Created

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the lab-born-diseases dept.

jabberjaw writes "Nature is reporting that researchers at the University of California San Diego have created a synthetic prion which, when injected into mice will bring about symptoms similar to those displayed by cattle suffering from bovine spongiform encephalopathy, aka mad cow disease. The researchers first crafted healthy prion proteins using bacteria. They then shook these proteins until they resembled the tangled structure of an unhealthy prion. Afterwords, these prions were injected into the brains of mice who fell ill two years later. Perhaps someone who is more familiar with this field of research would care to fill us in on the details as the article was rather light."

14 of 496 comments (clear)

  1. frost prost by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    fp suckas!

  2. YOU'VE GOT THE HIV. by sekzscripting · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    This kinda sounds like AIDS.

    (but for animals of course.)

    Could someone please elaborate? Is this transmitted by inter-sex railing? Thanks.

  3. FP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    FP?

  4. WMD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Yes, millitary research at its best!

    1. Re:WMD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic
      That seems to suggest there were other WMDs. Coulda sworn they haven't found any...
      Coulda sworn wrong.
    2. Re:WMD by BrokenHalo · · Score: 0, Offtopic
      Terrorists are after short term inciting of fear and panic.

      Something like, for instance, an attack calculated to "shock and awe", perhaps?

      G.W. Shrub fits most of the definitions of "terrorist" quite handily.

  5. Re:Ugh by Canberra+Bob · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    You are not the only one!

    So what exactly would artificial pron be? The mind boggles!

  6. Artificial pr0n created?? by john_smith_45678 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Um, artificial pr0n has been being created for a LONG time! Do some Googling next time:

    http://www.google.com/search?q=fake+celebrity+porn

    Oh...wait...the title is Artificial Prion Created. NM, carry on ;P

    --
    John Kerry is a Joke!
  7. Re:Ugh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    You don't want to know.

  8. Yeah only box cutters...and bombs by KalvinB · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    But let's ignore all the very real terrorist attacks going on in the world and pretend they only have box cutters and are nothing to fear.

    Tell that to the people being beheaded and blown up in other countries by the terrorists that it's just a box cutter and there no real threat.

    Ben

    --
    Work Safe Porn
    1. Re:Yeah only box cutters...and bombs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      Ooh, let me jump on the flamebait train...

      You tell, um, THAT to all the 11,000+ Iraqi civilians murdered by the Americans, the millions who have had their countries virtually destroyed by American hegemony, the thousands illegally detained and tortured, and, uh. Beh, fuck you all...

  9. carbs by tiredwired · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    That's taking the low-carb craze a little too far.

  10. Re:One thing it will show? by Lars+T. · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    He certainly couldn't remember anything about the Iran-Contra mess.

    --

    Lars T.

    To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck

  11. Re:One thing it will show? by Lars+T. · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Not even his film critics.

    --

    Lars T.

    To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck