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Arctic Bacteria Used To Make Cool Vaccines

Posted by kdawson on from the it's-a-dry-heat dept.

cremeglace writes "Scientists say they may have discovered a way to develop cool new vaccines — and they mean that literally. By replacing essential genes in a mammalian pathogen with their counterparts from Arctic bacteria, they have created strains that provoke a protective immune response in mice, but that don't spread to the warm parts of the body where they could do serious harm. The team hopes that the method will lead to a new generation of vaccines for major bacterial diseases such as tuberculosis."

74 comments

  1. And... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What could go wrong?

    1. Re:And... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What could possibly go wrong?

      FTFY.

    2. Re:And... by interkin3tic · · Score: 3, Insightful

      What could go wrong?

      Jenny McCarthy could open her trap and say it causes autism for one thing.

    3. Re:And... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Who needs Jenny McCarthy when we have the Slashdot crypto-luddite brigade standing reading to yell "WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG"?

    4. Re:And... by ChromeAeonium · · Score: 1

      What could go wrong? Well, we could forgo a potentially lifesaving new biotech application because laymen don't understand it and like to complain about things they can't be bothered to take the time to understand because they've convinced themselves they know more than the poeple actually doing the science. Bloody hell, sometimes I think Slashdot should change the slogan to 'Stuff for nerds (except biogeeks, they want to kill us all), stuff that matters (except half of what kdawson posts).' It's kind of funny that it sounds like this vaccine is being produced with by transgenic means, which kdawson recently lead an uninformed rant against, including a link to a anti-vax/conspiracy site. Now he posts this. Not very consistent.

    5. Re:And... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      phuk autism

    6. Re:And... by ae1294 · · Score: 1

      What could go wrong?

      Zombies...

    7. Re:And... by interkin3tic · · Score: 1

      It has indeed always struck me as odd that there are so many people here convinced "I am legend" is going to become true, but none of them seem to be concerned about the "Terminator" movies coming true. Is it familiarity breeds comfort, they're more familiar with computers than biology research so they're not as worried, or are they convinced we're doomed to a terminator apocalypse so they're working on their plan to side with the machines and are worried zombies will interfere with that plan?

    8. Re:And... by daid303 · · Score: 1

      Machines need electricity, which we can turn off quite easily right now.

      Biological 'stuff' needs food. Which we are.

    9. Re:And... by arivanov · · Score: 1

      Your fingers and toes rotting away seems like a good place to start. The temperature there is usually way under 37.

      --
      Baker's Law: Misery no longer loves company. Nowadays it insists on it
      http://www.sigsegv.cx/
    10. Re:And... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Since there is no such thing as 'vaccination', and vivisection is a fraud, this 'research' is one giant fraud.
      Which won't lead to any CURES.

      http://www.whale.to/v/hadwen1.html

    11. Re:And... by Thiez · · Score: 1

      A lot of things have changed in science since 1923. Could you enlighten us with a more recent article, preferably from after the second world war?

    12. Re:And... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Until we make solar powered ones with a battery backup to cover night times, or they mod themselves with this capability. What will we do then? Maybe we'll scorch the sky to deprive them of sunlight, then they'll enslave us and use us for power generation along with a form of fusion to generate all the power they'll ever need, and we'll be stuck in The Matrix waiting for Neo to come and rescue us.

      Ok, the premise behind The Matrix is a ridiculous, if they had fusion power, they wouldn't need us for power as well, but did you think the sci-fi writers haven't thought of that already, by the time we realise they are a threat we may not have the opportunity to cut their power.

    13. Re:And... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is the parent really really stupid or really really bad at trolling? If it was supposed to be a troll, please read up on how to troll properly.

  2. Trivia Time by EdIII · · Score: 4, Interesting

    but that don't spread to the warm parts of the body where they could do serious harm.

    Interesting bit of trivia.... the human testicles are designed to allow the production of baby gravy (technical term.. look it up) at colder temperatures.

    So according to this article the warmer parts of my body (spleen, lungs) will be spared, but my little soldiers will have to bear the brunt of the attack.

    Awesome. Idea.

    1. Re:Trivia Time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      but that don't spread to the warm parts of the body where they could do serious harm.

      Interesting bit of trivia.... the human testicles are designed to allow the production of baby gravy (technical term.. look it up) at colder temperatures.

      Oh, I get it... You saw a kdawson article and the first thing you thought of was junk.

    2. Re:Trivia Time by Turnpike+Lad · · Score: 1

      I imagine if that got to be a problem, you could just take a really hot bath for a few hours... bring the extremities of your body up over 98.6 and you're cured.

    3. Re:Trivia Time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      baby gravy is slang... weirdo.

    4. Re:Trivia Time by dkleinsc · · Score: 1

      Interesting bit of trivia.... the human testicles are designed to allow the production of baby gravy (technical term.. look it up) at colder temperatures.

      Why do you think a very easily damaged body part is right out on the edge of the body completely unprotected by bone or even muscle (bearing in mind that evolution doesn't select for comedic value)?

      --
      I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
    5. Re:Trivia Time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So what your saying is that your testicles are cold? You should probably see a doctor about that.

    6. Re:Trivia Time by GameMaster · · Score: 4, Funny

      "bearing in mind that evolution doesn't select for comedic value"

      One look at the duck billed platypus will tell you that's a damn lie.

      --

      Rules of Conduct:
      #1 - The DM is always right.
      #2 - If the DM is wrong, see rule #1
    7. Re:Trivia Time by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 1

      Obviously, this research is just part of the satanic one-world-government's evil population control agenda... Developed weaponized testicle gangrene, to be spread via chemtrail by the UN's black helicopters and Area 51 UFOs reverse engineered from Grey alien technology purchased through a blood-pact involving Christian fetuses illicitly harvested by planned parenthood.

      What could be more logical?

      (Unfortunately, the loonier grade of anti-vaxer will probably be claiming something approximately that sensible over in the pits of squalor that are NaturalNews and Whale.to. If we are super lucky, it will mutate into a rumor loony enough to, say, interfere with the eradication of polio...)

    8. Re:Trivia Time by Lord_of_the_nerf · · Score: 1

      .... the human testicles are designed to allow the production of baby gravy (technical term.. look it up) at colder temperatures.

      Unfortunately (for anyone who has experienced shrinkage) the human penis is incapable of spreading baby gravy at colder temperatures.

    9. Re:Trivia Time by mister_playboy · · Score: 1

      Why do you think a very easily damaged body part is right out on the edge of the body completely unprotected by bone or even muscle (bearing in mind that evolution doesn't select for comedic value)?

      They are where they are for exactly the reason the GP stated... to allow them to be thermally regulated separately from the rest of the body. Ever notice how they can change position? They extend further away to cool down and draw nearer to the body to warm up.

      Your sac shrivels in a pool because your balls are trying to stay warm!

      --
      Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law ::: Love is the law, love under will
    10. Re:Trivia Time by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 1

      Ever notice how they can change position?

      Yeah, you know I always wondered why the left one liked being on top.

    11. Re:Trivia Time by sortius_nod · · Score: 0, Troll

      No such thing as a "duck billed platypus"... there are Platypus though.

    12. Re:Trivia Time by lawpoop · · Score: 0, Redundant

      (technical term.. look it up)

      Um... yeah. The first page of results are links to slang dictionaries, band names, Q&A sites that cater to undereducated people, and pages of that ilk. I'm gonna call BS on this.

      --
      Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.
      -- Pablo Picasso
    13. Re:Trivia Time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Trivia indeed, because everyone already fucking knows this. Don't present it like it's some rare knowledge.

    14. Re:Trivia Time by dkleinsc · · Score: 1

      Err, that was a rhetorical question, just in case it wasn't clear.

      --
      I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
    15. Re:Trivia Time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are we not allowed to use adjectives anymore?

    16. Re:Trivia Time by commodoresloat · · Score: 1

      The scientific name of the platypus literally means "bill of a duck," fwiw. In any case, maybe you can find a duck billed platypus swimming in the wine dark sea?

    17. Re:Trivia Time by Securityemo · · Score: 1

      "The wine dark sea", now that's actually a very beautiful name.

      --
      Emotions! In your brain!
    18. Re:Trivia Time by Ethanol-fueled · · Score: 1

      Most nerds have a more targetted, efficient method of keeping their nuts hot:

      Laptop computers.

      Also, nerds are averse to bathing.

    19. Re:Trivia Time by HTRednek · · Score: 1

      So according to this article the warmer parts of my body (spleen, lungs) will be spared, but my little soldiers will have to bear the brunt of the attack.

      Awesome. Idea.

      Oh come on now... You read /. Its not like your little soldiers have anything better to do...

    20. Re:Trivia Time by Jason+Levine · · Score: 1

      A platypus might look funny, but they make great secret agents. Just ask Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

      --
      My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
    21. Re:Trivia Time by GameMaster · · Score: 1

      I don't think "great" is the word he'd use. Besides, would you really take the "expert opinion" of a guy who's been defeated by a potted plant.

      --

      Rules of Conduct:
      #1 - The DM is always right.
      #2 - If the DM is wrong, see rule #1
  3. Cool by jellomizer · · Score: 1

    One word...

    Cool

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  4. There are already TB vaccines by h4rr4r · · Score: 2, Informative

    There are already TB vaccines, I have the scar to prove it.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacillus_Calmette-Guérin

    1. Re:There are already TB vaccines by Cyberax · · Score: 3, Informative

      Unfortunately, as vaccines go BCG is on the 'very ineffective' side of the spectrum. It's better than nothing, but just barely.

    2. Re:There are already TB vaccines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It seems per the WP link to work fairly well (60-80% efficacy, comparable to 95% efficacy seen in some modern vaccines) in the UK and less well elsewhere. This is convenient for the UK (and explains why I'd never heard it called "very ineffective" since I live there) but makes it of dubious value elsewhere.

      It would be nice if we were sure why that is (the most obvious test was tried, people with non-British ethnic backgrounds but living their whole lives in the UK still see 60-80% efficacy)

    3. Re:There are already TB vaccines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's more complex than that... TB vaccine does not create a herd immunity and TB bacterium is _everywhere_. All BCG can do is to reduce chances of active tuberculosis, it can't stop TB epidemy if it happens.

      Better than nothing, sure. But other vaccines can completely stop epidemics.

  5. Ouch by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 1

    You know, that pun was good until you beat me over the head with it.

    1. Re:Ouch by commodoresloat · · Score: 1, Troll

      Oh, chill out, man. I think this is pretty damn cool; it's a great way for these scientists to ice their place in history. Things have been moving at a glacial pace in the field until now; I bet this will send shivers down the spines of some of their peers. These scientists are sure to drink a few frosty ones to celebrate before running home to make love to their frigid spouses!

  6. Perfect... by hyades1 · · Score: 1

    Just in time for Global Warming.

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
  7. Yeah, yeah, yeah.... by AnonymousClown · · Score: 1
    " Arctic Bacteria Used To Make Cool Vaccines"

    And Tropical vaccines are the next hot thing.

    Gotcha.

    --
    RIP America

    July 4, 1776 - September 11, 2001

    1. Re:Yeah, yeah, yeah.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ba-dum-ch!

  8. This is a really bad idea. by mosb1000 · · Score: 1

    This is a really bad idea.

  9. Adapt and Overcome by abbynormal+brain · · Score: 1

    So-called temperature-sensitive vaccines already exist for a few viruses. An influenza vaccine called FluMist, for instance, consists of a weakened flu virus that can't grow at 37C, the temperature inside the lungs, but that can reproduce in the slightly cooler nose and throat. As it does so, it triggers a protective immune response.

    Key Words:
    - Virus
    - Grow
    - Reproduce

    Oh and one more they didn't mention ...
    - Adapt and
    - Overcome

    Side-Note:
    Unofficial mantra of the Marine's: Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.
    (Tough little suckers huh? ... Yeah. I mean both of them)

    --
    L'esperienza de questa dolce vita (The experience of this sweet life) - Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy
  10. A Delta T Of Epsilon by nunojsilva · · Score: 1

    But that way your normally warmer parts would be actually at the same temperature as your outer parts. Wouldn't then the vaccine get spread along all of your body?

    Anyway, a vaccine that might screw genitalia. That's a choice between the joy of being father (again, for some), or living longer. I wonder if the secondary effects will be that bad, maybe it's no worse than a soft kick.

    1. Re:A Delta T Of Epsilon by Turnpike+Lad · · Score: 1

      But that way your normally warmer parts would be actually at the same temperature as your outer parts. Wouldn't then the vaccine get spread along all of your body?

      Well, I guess it depends on whether the engineered bacteria simply tends to avoid high temperatures, or is actually killed by high temperatures.

    2. Re:A Delta T Of Epsilon by nunojsilva · · Score: 1

      If it is killed at 37C, then any second effect could be avoided by warming the entire body.

      But that will probably avoid the good desirable effect too — if it is killed, then it won't even create the defenses it is supposed to create. (Oh, and warming your body would also be bad for testicles, which defeats the main purpose of warming it.)

  11. I like my testicles... how about you? by Fallen+Kell · · Score: 1

    .... I mean, seriously, nothing can go wrong with just having these bacteria in the cooler parts of the body...

    --
    We were all warned a long time ago that MS products sucked, remember the Magic 8 Ball said, "Outlook not so good"
    1. Re:I like my testicles... how about you? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have no interest whatsoever in your testicles. Sorry.

    2. Re:I like my testicles... how about you? by TheLink · · Score: 1

      I'm more attached to mine.

      --
  12. Dude... ever hear of the Inuit? by way2trivial · · Score: 3, Insightful

    total population 150,000
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inuit

    --
    every day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
  13. Some scientists have much to learn... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A winter at McMurdo station with a DVD of the Thing should put them right.

  14. Re:We're all going to die by FatdogHaiku · · Score: 1

    We're all going to die.

    Well, we're still waiting to hear from Harry Houdini, but I have to admit that the empirical evidence seems to support your claim...

    --
    You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
  15. Rotting zombies... by Securityemo · · Score: 1

    So, you could make a flesh-eating virus that only made the non-essential (or at least non-instant-death) parts of the body slough off?
    "Skiiiiinn... Graaghl!" *shuffle shuffle*

    --
    Emotions! In your brain!
  16. Next up: by Lost+Penguin · · Score: 1

    Paging Dr. Neville, Robert Neville please broadcast on all AM frequencies....

    --
    I am the unwilling control for my Origin.
  17. scientolo by Mana+Mana · · Score: 1

    Wha! No imlegend keyword.

  18. Congratulations. by Cur8or · · Score: 0

    Pun science has been pushed a little further.

    --
    Winkey shortcut mapping for 64bit windows. WinKeyPlus
  19. Re:Dude... ever hear of the Inuit? by supachupa · · Score: 4, Funny

    total population 150,000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inuit

    Yeah. don't they make Quicken?

  20. Cold Resistant Zombies by JumperCable · · Score: 1

    Great. So much for heading for the tundra when the zombie outbreak happens. Cold resistant zombies are the last thing we need.

  21. Science is simply by nedlohs · · Score: 1

    fucking awesome.

  22. This is a really good idea by interkin3tic · · Score: 1

    Counterpoint: this is a really good idea.

    This has been "point counterpoint slashdot style." After all, justifying one's opinion is not for nerds.

    1. Re:This is a really good idea by mosb1000 · · Score: 1

      Hey, I was at work. I can't just be typin' on slashdot all day long! Gimmie a break.

  23. Arctic Bacteria Used To Make Cool Vaccines on Tues by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Arctic Bacteria Used To Make Cool Vaccines".

    Why did they stop?

  24. How do they replace the genes? by pinkushun · · Score: 1

    One at a time, the team swapped out nine so-called essential genes

    Even Google can't tell me, I'm curious how this is done. I program code, how does one program DNA?

    1. Re:How do they replace the genes? by Spugglefink · · Score: 1

      Even Google can't tell me, I'm curious how this is done. I program code, how does one program DNA?

      They program it in a combination of D, A+, and the top secret N language known only to genetic engineers. It's so secret, Wikipedia doesn't even have an article about N yet, but it will shortly after our genetically engineered Arctic bacteria vaccine overlords take over the world. Please allow me to be the first to welcome them.

    2. Re:How do they replace the genes? by pinkushun · · Score: 1

      lol :-) +1 imaginary mod

  25. M. smegmatis I presume by Nick+Number · · Score: 1

    From TFA:

    As part of the study, the researchers showed they could make Mycobacterium smegmatis

    Do you suppose this would be useful in the treatment of Listeriosis?

    --
    Promote proofreading. Don't mod up sloppy posts.
  26. story tags by Kvasio · · Score: 1

    where is "whatcouldpossiblygowrong" tag, when you need one?