Natural-born killers enlisted to fight anthrax
... chewing up an essential cell wall bond, in effect punching "holes" in the bacteria's outer barrier, which then causes it to explode. Thus, for the anthrax to develop resistance to the enzyme, it would have to alter this fundamental structure. According to the Rockefeller scientists, this would take a very lo...Researchers discover how herpes tricks the immune system
...membranes of virus-infected cells and kill them by punching holes in the membranes. To help prevent the inadvertent and dangerous triggering of this complement reaction, healthy cells produce molecules known as regulators of complement activation (RCA). Virgin's team found that one type of herpes virus makes ...Scientists uncover break-and-entry strategy of disease-causing bacteria
...operate: These pathogens introduce their toxins by punching holes in the host-cell membrane. The cover of the Jan. 12 issue of Cell features the research.Scientists have made great strides in understanding how Gram-negative bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, infiltrate host cells and establish infectio...Insect defenses point the way to defeating bacterial antibiotic resistance
...on to the outer or inner membranes of bacteria and punching holes in the membranes, thereby killing the bacteria. Now, in a new study, scientists at The Wistar Institute have identified an intracellular target for one of these antimicrobial molecules first isolated from a European sap-sucking insect. The mo......lled"microfracture," Steadman's technique involves punching small holes in thesubchondral bone beneath the knee cartilage near a joint surface injury, whichtends to cause cartilage growth. "Our research group has done a long-term study (on horses) showing the(microfracture) technique is superior to th......pump, Allen says. The study suggests that punching in the security code may buy time toproperly proofread the antigen, preventing the helper cell from making a hastydecision about whom to attack. "You must engage the receptor long enough to getall six phosphates on each zeta chain," Allen says. "Then...