4.7 Flashcards
(Malaria vaccines) scientists are confident that it should be possible to develop a vaccine against malaria. It is clear that people develop immunity due resistance that build how in childhood when exposed to several
P.falciparum infections
(Malaria vaccines) one of the organisms whose DNA has been sequences is
Plasmodium falciparum
(Malaria vaccines) although a vaccine should be possible, there are more than 500 genes so it is difficult for scientists to
Decide which of these genes might be a target for a vaccine
(Malaria vaccines) search for P.falciparum vaccine may be aided by
High throughput sequencing.
(Malaria vaccines) high throughput sequence uses the combination of robotics, sensitive detectors and high-tech data-processing equipment so that scientists dan sequence genomes much
Faster
Comparing genomes shows the genes that display the most variation between parasites. This indicates the genes that are under the greatest
Selection pressure - common response to pressure from the human immune system
(Malaria vaccines) identifying genes that might be a suitable target for a vaccine is just the first stage. Scientists then need to express the proteome and test whether it is targeted by the immune system in patients
Naturally infected with malaria
(Malaria vaccines) once a vaccine passes early tests there are then several stages of
Clinical field trials that test for safety and effectiveness
(Uses of sequences DNA) allows scientists to study the similarities and difference between organisms of different but
Closely related species (helping to understand evolutionary species)
(Uses of sequence DNA) near future likely that scientists will be able to sequence the DNA of a particular person and use this information to identify genes that predispose that individual to specific diseases. They can then make informed lifestyle choices to
Reduce the risk of developing the disease
(Ethical issues) concerned about who can access the information about their sequenced DNA, e.g.
Life insurance companies
Employers
(Ethical issues) another concern is that people may find it hard to cope with the results of genetic tests. They may become severely
Depressed
(Ethical issues) some genes that have been sequenced have been patented. Pharmaceutical companies have done this so that they can be sure they will benefit from the sale of any medical treatments developed as a result of their work. They say research and sequencing is expensive and so needs to be ensured that there are financial benefits. Others believe that nobody should patent a gene, and that info should be shared freely via organisations like
GenBank
(Ethical issues) medical treatments in the future are likely to be targets at specific mutations, e.g. A cancer drug for a particular oncogene. This will be beneficial for people who have this mutation. However it may mean that people whose cancer is the result of an unusual mutation may have much poorer
Treatment options
