I've said many times, and hopefully showed several examples, of how important cell surface chemistry is. Here is another example! Please note the phrase in the article, "a single receptor for a protein that is critical for the parasite to gain entry into red blood cells".
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/10/malaria-finding-points-to-possible-new-vaccine/
Here is an article about the GlaxoSmithkline vaccine also mentioned in the above article.
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-18/glaxo-vaccine-cuts-malaria-in-african-children-by-more-than-half
I think these advances are very promising. They seem to be the most progress made in a very long time against malaria. If the vaccines are successful, what might some continuing issues be in order to rid the world of Malaria?
These two articles provide insight into the mechanism of a newly formed vaccine for malaria. Researchers from the Sanger Institute pinpointed a single receptor for a protein that is critical for the parasite to gain entry into red blood cells before multiplying and spreading. The research team tried to block the interaction in cultures of the parasites growing in red blood cells in the lab, and found that with an antibody they were able to halt completely the parasites' ability to invade the cells. By using antibodies targeting this interaction, they could stop all invasion of red blood cells. But, they also show that the vaccines are not completely effective. The vaccine will only be useful if they are effective in the long-term, and that their strength does not wane over time. The disease could also mutate to evade the immune response set up by the vaccine. The disease could learn to enter the red blood cells through another receptor and still infect the individual. The disease could mutate to find other ways to infect the targeted individual.
ReplyDeleteThe advancement that researchers have made in finding a single cell receptor protein in order to inhibit malaria from attacking the red blood cell is a great achievement but the issues that might be conflicting are that the parasites could find another way to make its way into the red blood cells besides the use of proteins etc. Since evolution occurs in living organisms, the parasite may find other was to survive such as finding another receptor for attachment.
ReplyDeleteThere are a number of ongoing issues and there are some major challenges that might come with the success of the vaccine for Malaria. The first issue might be supply and demand. There may not be enough vaccines to go around to people who need it. Issues from a political and economical standpoint would be that there are richer countries that will not provide funding or allocation of resources for the eradication of Malaria as a result there is a high incidence. Those countries with underfunding, neglect, poor health systems and mobilization would not be able to afford the diagnostic services and also the drugs are usually short in supply in the underserved areas. Last but not least is the issue of vector resistance which has become the biggest fear of West Africans and Kenyans. These are just many of the continuing obstacles that present themselves in the struggle to eradicate Malaria.
This article proves that medicine and new finding happen everyday!The fact that they found a single protein that if blocked could stop the Malaria pathogen from entering the blood cells is great. This is a further advancement of trying to eradicate Malaria completly, not just in certain areas of the world.
ReplyDeleteIn a few decades, or with the way technology is moving,less than a decade, we could see malaria become vanished!
Some continuing issues would be containment of those already infected with Malaria. If this vaccine occurs it would stop from spreading to others, which is great, however, those that have been infected still need treatment.
Another issue would be keeping up with the supply. As we saw with the outbreak of H1N1, there was not enough flu shots for the demand people wanted. Once this vaccine comes out, everyone in areas that need it will want it immediatly, so the suppliers would have to be ready.
There are some issues, but I feel that this is more positive than anything! Just proves that advancements happen everyday!
--K Hamilton.
R. Davis
ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing how science is progressing. This newly found receptor is a huge deal to finally figuring out how to stop Malaria from killing thousands of people.I think that this single cell receptor protein is carving a path towards the findings of more than just a cure for Malaria. I can see some downsides to this as well. Due to the fact that Malaria has the ability to adapt and evolve, I think that one day Malaria will find a way to enter the blood cells without the use of the single receptor. Hopefully this will not happen (at least for a long time). There are other issues that might come along with the making of an acceptable Malaria vaccine. There might not be enough of the vaccine for everyone. Also, the cost of the vaccine could be too much for many people to afford, such as people in Africa (the area that needs it the most). Hopefully this vaccine will work and the people who really need it will be entitiled to recieve the vaccine.
R. Daivs T/Th
The article titled "Malaria Finding Points to Possible New Vaccine" definitely instills a sense of hope with the advancement of biological/medical research and technology. New studies have indicated that by locating a certain receptor that if properly blocked with antibodies can hinder the transmittance of pathogenic proteins from entering red blood cells. These proteins are a main source in which result in infection and the spreading of the Malaria disease. This appears to be a productive method thus far in which a disease can be prevented and with experimentation that has already been conducted, as mentioned in the article titled "Glaxo Vaccine Reduces Malaria in African Children by Half," can be successful. In addition, this is definitely a start to eradicating the Malaria disease that unfortunately takes the life of hundreds of thousands per year. However, it is apparent that other factors and questions need to be taken into consideration before a vaccine for Malaria is approved and available for production and public access. For example, by blocking the access to a significant receptor what other ways will this process allow a pathogen to find another alternative to make its way into a host for infection? Also what are possible side-effects that can be acquired from such a vaccine? And what importance can a vaccine be to those who are already diagnosed and infected with the disease? Over all, Malaria is a life threatening disease that should not be taken lightly and with further research and developments there is definitely hope and fighting chance that one day this disease can be prevented and 100% curable.
ReplyDeleteThis was an excellent example of how science seeks to treat disease by interrupting the life cycle of bacteria. However, as we have often noted in class, we must not consider this a "cure" to malarial disease. Members of the Plasmodium genus may develop an alternate route into RBCs or could acquire the ability to combat the measures discussed in the article. The discovery of this receptor is a cause for celebration, but research must continue.
ReplyDeletePedro M. Hernandez
ReplyDeletem/w
It's depressing to know that 781,000 people died from malaria in 2009 and whats even worse these are the statistical numbers of children under the age of five in sub-saharan African countries who died of malaria. The vaccine appears to be promising, but it does not appear to be as effective as the manufacturer makes us think. According to Hill, the large sum of of money been invested in this sole vaccine might hunt us if it does not become effective enough to produce. Hill thinks that the money from the Gate's foundation should be distributed among others researchers also, and i agree. One can put all your eggs in one basket, its smart to invest on other vaccines that are also promising, the odds are greater to conquered malaria. We can all agree that a vaccine that works needs to be produce, but we must question all the side effects also, 18% of 15,460 is 2,782 thats the number of critical side effects from the vaccine during testing, but 18% of 781,000 is 140,580 people, thats 640,420 children that may still be alive if vaccinated, now ofcourse these numbers were interpreted my way, but it makes you think of the difference a vaccine will make in the children population of those region of Africa.
I think that it is amazing how science works, in that breakthroughs happen when we are usually not looking or suspecting them to do so. This is a very promising event and one that should be explored, but as Pedro said we shouldn’t put all of our eggs in one basket. Just as this discovery happened by chance, bringing it to fruition may not happen that way or with this particular company. All pharmaceutical companies are unfortunately in this for profits, if this has no real value or has taken too many resources they may well stop the program and go onto greener pastures.
ReplyDeleteAn unfortunate reality in the disbursement of this vaccine is again money. Many people who have the greatest need do not have the funds to receive them. Not only the people but the governments are underfunded, leaving the population without a vital vaccine due to something as simple as money.
When we first started talking about vaccines, viruses and bacteria’s I was amazed at how the new thought was, to block rather than treat. If you can stop this from even entering the system, the effectiveness is exponential compared to therapeutic treatment alone. I hope that this path to a vaccine is completed and that we can eradicate our second disease after small pox. This would be hugely beneficial to anyone living in conditions that daily can kill you based solely on where you live. Mosquito nets are helpful, but to stop it in its tracks is remarkable.
I think it is amazing that there’s a new breakthrough about malaria vaccine. It is devastating to know that 800,000 of this deadly disease are young children below ages of five. The research world for malaria is now looking very promising. Especially who find a way to halt the parasite, finding this receptor and on how parasites may enter our blood, give us hope that they will find a 100% effective way to end this deadly disease. Although the scientist also said that the vaccine are not that effective. Even to the article “Glaxo Vaccine Reduces Malaria in African Children by Half”, the vaccine they made did help some children, but it has some serious side effect. One more thing is that even if they find a way to fully develop and perfected this vaccine, malaria disease can change and evolve throughout the year, and it can also found a way to be resistant to this vaccine.
ReplyDeleteRonelyn P.
Having a vaccine against Malaria, or rather the receptor on the human red blood cell that Plasmodium falciparum is using to gain entry into the cell, is an exciting weapon in our arsenal against the disease of Malaria. Just as the disease cycle of Malaria is multi-faceted so must our approach be to limiting or eradicating it. If vaccines are successful, some continuing issues might be:
ReplyDeletePlasmodium falciparum could adapt and change the receptor.
P. falciparum would still be in the environment-both human and mosquito.
Infected mosquitoes will still need to be controlled by physical methods-nets and chemical.
Human behaviors will still be a factor-clothing, being out in the environment when mosquitoes are active.
Hygiene will still be an issue in under-developed countries-standing pools of water for mosquitoes to breed in.
Having a vaccine is one very positive step forward in the elimination of Malaria, especially if it eliminates the cases by half, but it is only one weapon. We must use all of our weapons to fight this disease. I find it hard to believe that an organism like Plasmodium falciparum who has manipulated not only one, but two very different species to reproduce itself is going to be undone by just one thing. If we suddenly protected the human from Plasmodium, I wonder what organism it would go to next in order to ensure its survival.
I think the advances to eliminate malaria are interesting such as the new vaccine that GlaxoSmithkline created. RTS vaccine blocks the receptor protein to avoid the invasion of the parasite into the human red blood cell. In class we talked about killing the vector (anopheles mosquito) with the pesticide DDT, but unfortunately caused crop damage and other negative effects to the environment. The RTS vaccine has had a success rate of 50 percent according to the scientists who tested its use. This shows it is some what effective but not effective enough. Using new technology called an Avidity- based Extracellular Interaction screen developed by British scientists have uncovered a vital interaction between malaria parasite protein and a receptor in the host called basign. Using the antibodies to block this interaction and the invasion of the plasmodium parasite to the red blood cells could possibly lead to an effective vaccine. It is essential to have a vaccine that is one hundred percent effective, and hopefully the scientists will figure out to better the RTS vaccine to that extent. A huge issue with malaria is that it infects and kill many children in Africa, so it is essential to create a vaccine that is highly effective to save their life. A problem that may arise with new vaccines for malaria is that it may not work for every person and the costs to develop vaccines may be expensive. With advances in modern medicine hopefully scientists will be able to combat this parasite and eliminate it as a whole.
ReplyDeleteAmy W. M/W
These articles show leaps of advance in the findings for a cure of malaria. The first article said "Researchers from the Sanger Institute pinpointed a single receptor for a protein that is critical for the parasite to gain entry into red blood cells before multiplying and spreading." This is such a big deal because we are able to stop malaria at the point it harms us the most, in our blood. By blocking that receptor, the parasite has no way of getting into our blood stream and has no way of surviving in our bodies. This vaccine does not work 100% but if we were able to make it work 100% of the time, deaths caused by malaria would be nonexistent.
ReplyDeleteHowever, with news as great as this we need to make sure we cover our tracks. Parasites like malaria are clever, sometimes too clever and there could be a number of setbacks before we can figure out how to make this vaccine work 100% of the time. The biggest red flag I see is the simple cost of making and distributing this vaccine. Already, $300 million has been spent with an expected $150 more million to be spent in the future. No, you can not put a price on the life of a child but with costs this high, who will be able to afford to keep up all this research. The next issue I see concerns the actual malaria parasite. Like all parasites, they will find ways to survive and malaria may find a new way or path to enter our red blood cells. It may target a new receptor. We also face the challenge that what if malaria decides to mutate to stay alive in the human body? Also what about the people who get the vaccine but somehow do not get the immunity and still die due to malaria? Hopefully those people will be few and the vaccine will work on most everyone. Also, we have to keep in mind that wiping this parasite off the face of the planet with a vaccine would be amazing, but nearly impossible. Remember, we have only done that once before in human history and that was with small pox. These are great advances in the health care industries fight against malaria but we need to make sure and keep it real with our excitement.
-Michelle Arbogast
Finding the single protein receptor on the red blood cell is a huge discovery in the fight against Malaria. Malaria is a complex disease with many stages of infection that have made it difficult to find a cure or a preventive vaccine. The discovery of the receptor on the red blood cell has made it possible for researchers to develop a vaccine that can stop and prevent the parasitic infection that causes Malaria. If this developing vaccine is successful then it will save countless lives of children in Africa and will greatly reduce the occurrence of Malaria. However, there are many factors that could make this vaccine ineffective and interfere with the possible world eradication of Malaria. First, the cost to develop the vaccine may be too high for manufacturers and they may give up on the vaccine before it becomes safe and effective for use. Next, the side effects of the vaccine need to be reduced before it is available for use. If there are too many children are dying from the vaccine then the risk of giving it to children is too great and other preventive measures such as mosquito nets and bug repellant would need to be used to stop the disease. Also, the parasite may be able to mutate the protein that enables it to enter the red blood cells by changing the way it fits into the receptor without being blocked so it can continue to infect and complete its life cycle. If this were to happen scientists would need to constantly modify the vaccine to block the mutated proteins which may be too costly to keep up with. Finally, other preventive measures such as mosquito nets, bug spray, protective clothing, and anti-malaria drugs will still need to be used while the vaccine is in development and Malaria may not be stopped or reduced as soon it needs to be. Even though there are risks and unknowns in the development of a Malaria vaccine, this discovery provides a great amount of hope that a cure is on its way.
ReplyDelete-Samantha B M/W
The information that these articles are providing about the possibility of creating a vaccine for malaria stir up hope and excitement as well as a serious concern. The development of such a vaccine would greatly help the 800,000 people that are dying every year from this awful disease. The other side of the coin is, if this vaccine is completed it creates questions like how much will it cost? how much will we have? who will it be available to? Because malaria is most concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, there must be some sort of funding for this vaccine to be distributed to people in need. Because these countries are so poverty stricken, the people that might be recieving these vaccines do not have good overall health, which makes it a much larger problem. Ofcourse its best to think positive about the whole situation, but these are some serious things that we need to consider. My hopes is that if this vaccine were to be developed, that scientists, healthcare providers, as well as the government, come together to defeat this terrible disease once a for all.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if this vaccine is able to be achieved it would be the greatest accomplishment of our time. Malaria has killed far too many and is still running wild and free specifically within the bodies of Africa’s Sub-Sharan children. Therefore being able to achieve an effective vaccine that would put a dead stop to this horrific parasite would be a God-sent to the lives and families of those who see this suffering on a daily basis. However my main concerns about this vaccine would be: would there be complications on the body from the vaccine, would it be a vaccine that could be made cheaply in order to distribute it to those who need it most and would there be any possibility that the parasite could mutate and render the vaccine useless and come back stronger than ever before? This vaccine sounds amazing however when I think about what it is doing to the red blood cells I can only picture the possible damage it could be doing to the bodies of those who receive it. The major population who will be receiving and benefiting from the vaccine would be children, usually under the age of 5. If this vaccine isn’t perfectly safe for these children and cold possibly cause damage in the long run, will it be worth it? The cost of the vaccine is also another extremely important issue. The vaccine sounds amazing however if it is not going to be able to be mass produced for little or no cost to the consumer what good will it do to the people who need it most? The target population of malaria cannot afford to have clean water yet alone a new and upcoming drug; so making the vaccine available is extremely important. The last concern I have is probably the most important one in my eyes. If this parasite can somehow mutate, evolve or learn how to get around the vaccine malaria will come back stronger and smarter than ever before which would cause absolute devastation. Therefore I believe that this vaccine should be put to the most strenuous and extensive tests available in order to ensure safety and health not only immediately but also for the long hall. If these steps and concerns can be met and solved, I not only believe, I know it would be able to change the world, as we know it.
ReplyDeleteBoth articles provide some hope that Malaria could come to an end. However, they do not further discuss how bacteria could mutate because of its surroundings. They could develop a vaccine that could eliminate Malaria that seems effective for now, but Malaria is a reemerging disease. They are able to change their surface chemistry to become resistant to the vaccine. Although we may think we have it under control, it could rapidly increase.
ReplyDeleteAnother issue not addressed is money. Companies want to profit. If they just take this vaccine and it would be 100% effective, not needing it for the rest of their lives, then the companies only make a profit that one time. Companies would rather spend money on studies for longer duration treatment so they could get more money in the long run. Unfortunately, without the incentive, once they find a successful vaccine, they might not continue research for resistant bacteria.
So many people are dieing of Malaria each year so its such an amazing day in the world of medics to hear that there is could finally be a cure. The articles say that if the single receptor for a protein that is critical for the parasite to gain entry into red blood cells before multiplying and spreading could be blocked than it can prevent the disease from entering our systems. A large issue with this vaccine may be its availability. Many countries are in great need for the vaccine and it will be hard to have enough supply for eveyone who needs it, and who would get the supply first? Another issue that could arise would be the one concerning the people who already have malaria. Would the vaccine help them to get better?
ReplyDeleteDespite the potential issues that could occur along side the vaccine for malaria I am very proud of our doctors and scientist for their new discovery and I pray that it really can eliminate Malaria.
C. Hubbard