The discovery of genome sequencing by Fredrick Sanger and his team of researchers in the early 70’s gave rise to one of the most empirical research methods that was ever to exist. This revolutionary research technique has allowed scientists to finally encode organisms down to their most basic properties; helping massively in our understanding of pathways, reactions and functions of organisms. The technique involves analysing the DNA of an organism’s genome and therefore all the genes that compose it. The DNA from an organism is run through an electrophoresis gel and the sequence produced is taken up and interpreted by a computer program to then present the nucleotide sequence of the organism. Genome sequencing of pathogenic organisms has lead to huge advancements in the fight against infectious diseases within human and veterinary medicine; three notably virulent infectious diseases of the veterinary world are bluetongue virus, equine strangles and bovine tuberculosis (Goodhead, 2012).
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an infectious disease of ruminants and camelids causing respiratory distress, loss of muscle condition, death in newborn lambs and reduced infertility (Caporale & Giovannini, 2010). The virus is transmitted through Culicoide biting midges and therefore this explains the vast, global spread of the virus and the most prominent theory as to how the UK became infected in the first place during 2006. The BT virus is composed of 10 linear double stranded segments of RNA, resulting in a genome of 19201bp in length (Maan et al., 2008). Each of the 10 segments was sequenced and in segments 10 and 7, sequencing revealed vector-virus specificity to exist. Sequencing of the 26 known serotypes of BTV showed significant variations betw...
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...athogen and host genomes are being sequenced, deeper scientific research is being carried out into areas of pathogenesis, epidemiology and susceptibility that were far from possible some 30 yeas ago (Fournier et al., 2007). Greater understanding of these factors leading to infectious disease have lead to a significant advantageous affect on management of infectious diseases; be it through vaccination development, welfare and husbandry changes or transmission blockades (Morens & Fauci, 2013). With constantly developing technologies, the cost and feasibility of sequencing entire genomes will be substantially reduced to then allow for sequencing of individual organisms to aid in further understanding of hereditary or congenital diseases. This ever-growing field of research will expand exponentially into the future; changing human and veterinary medicine for the better.
The PBS documentary “Nova – Cracking Your Genetic Code” tells about the genome sequencing technology: its current possibilities, advantages, disadvantages and future potential. The system became cheaper, faster and more available since the first human genome was fully sequenced in 2000. Modern companies use the technology to provide clients with the information about their genes and impacts they can have on owners’ health. Hospitals can provide more accurate diagnosis and personalized treatments with the aid of the genome sequencing. The video shows several examples of these benefits. But it mentions concerns about the quality of services, risks of exaggerated
This extremely pathogenic zoonotic virus is now understood to travel from bat species, to equine intermediate hosts, to humans.[8, 10] The Hendra virus is listed as a Bio-Safety Level (BSL)-4, and can only be studied at a few adequately equipped laboratories worldwide due to its virulence.[1, 2] Case fatality rates
The wide host range of the Poxviridae family implies that they evolved from organisms that infected early life forms (Bray). The high accuracy of their DNA polymerase has resulted in the variola virus genome being 99.6% conserved amid its own isolates and 98% conserved when compared to its nearest phylogenetic relatives the camelpox virus and the taterapox virus (Bray; Li). This indicates a recent common ancestor. Yet while their sequence is similar, their stru...
Normally, cows in Northern Europe in places such as Denmark live normal lives simply grazing on grass, and existing. However, there have been recent changes that have disrupted this normal activity. Generally the bluetongue virus (spread by Culicoides imicola, a biting midge) has been confined to Southern Europe and other places around the Mediterranean. But with the increase in temperature throughout the area, the midge has been allowed to migrate northward. This new pest is a nuisance and causes lots of difficulties to farmers in the area. When a cow contracts this disease, they usually also receive oral ulcers, salivation, stiffness, fever and eventually the inevitable- death (Merck Veterinary Manual NP). Because of the increase in temperature, midges have spread around the globe infecting livestock and creating terrible trouble for many farmers.
Following through with this fodder transmission theory, the British government introduced compulsory destruction of suspect animals and their carcasses beginning in 1988. The feeding of animal tissue to cows was banned in Britain in July 1988 and since mid-1992, monitors working for the United Kingdom Ministry of Agriculture have recorded a persistent decline in the number of confirmed cases. It is estimated that the program will eradicate BSE in Britain by the end of 1999.
Rift Valley Fever is a viral zoonotic disease that is arthropod-borne.1, 2, 3, 4 This viral disease primarily affects domestic animals but has the ability to affect humans.1, 3, 4 The severity of the disease can range from mild to severe and can be potentially fatal.1 An epidemic in the animal population, also known as an epizootic, could result in increased economic loss as the disease leads to livestock death and spontaneous abortion among pregnant animals .1, 2, 3, 4 A reduction in trade could also result contributing to further economic loss.1, 2, 3, 4 The virus which causes Rift Valley Fever is in the family Bunyaviridae and the genus Phlebovirus.1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Exotic animals carry diseases and infections that can be potentially harmful or fatal to humans, jeopardizing the safety of the community. These diseases range in severity from common ringworm infections from African pygmy hedgehogs to lyssaviruses in p...
The purpose of the human genome project was to select the best pairs of the genes and the desirable characteristics in the human beings to maintain the production of the organisms according to the desirable gene sequencing. This project was initiated to control the sequencing of the gene artificially [1]. The world’s largest biological plan was the human genome project as it was started on the large scale. The idea of this project was given by the researchers in 1984. The practical work started in 1990 to execute the project. The official declaration of the project carried out in 2003. The financial assistance was awarded to the program setup through the healthcare workplaces, where their engagement was significant. Another program
For numerous years, the world’s most prestigious geneticists have been trying to crack the human genetic code, the intricate puzzle that defines each and every one of us as individuals. With the monumental success of the Human Genome Project, a new and exciting biological frontier is ready for exploration. The ramifications of the knowledge derived from this endeavor will no doubt be staggering for residents of the Rio Grande Valley and the world at large.
1. The specific organism should be shown to be present in all cases of animals suffering from a specific disease but should not be found in healthy animals.
You may think that you have full control over your body, the way you may look, how you dress, and even how you do your own makeup. You have control over your hair color, how much knowledge you have, and even how strong you can be, but could you imagine having control over how tall you would like to be, the color of your eyes, and potentially the color of your very skin? Can you imagine altering EVERY aspect of yourself, including the omission of disease? These are some of the questions that the USDE hoped to find solutions to through The Genome Project.
The purpose of this paper is to focus on a subject within my educational field that I can research and inform the public about. I plan to become a veterinarian .which would require my daily contact with humans and animals. Zoonotic diseases are risk factors that I have to be aware of in order to protect myself as well as my patients and their owners. Luckily developments in medicine have made it possible to cure zoonotic diseases and even prevent them from ever being contracted.
The benefits of human genetic engineering outweigh the risks by providing mankind with cures to multiple deadly diseases. Human genetic engineering has the capability to transmit usually fatal diseases. Although transmission is highly unlikely, it is one of the risk factors scientists have taken into great consideration. If animal cells or organs are transplanted into humans, zoonotic diseases may be spread. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Porcine Endogenous Retroviruses, and Nipah Encephalitis are all potentially fatal zoonotic diseases that could be transmitted (Glenn).
Having completed an inspiring five-year course in veterinary sciences,1993-1999 from college of veterinary and animal sciences ,and completing DVM, I would like to continue my pursuit of knowledge and do a dissertation in Virology. This would give me build the strong knowledge base that I desire and a strong expertise in field that I wish to specialize. The past few decades have witnessed rapid advance in the area of virology and molecular biology. The objective of virology is to make life meaningful and to alleviate human and animal ailments caused by these dreadful pathogens . I am keen to be an integral part of this effort. For this, along with an in-depth knowledge of the subject, experience in cutting edge research and hands on experience in real time applications would be of prime importance . In today’s world, microbial sciences has attained such high status due its impact in the day to day life of humanity as a whole..
Discoveries in DNA, cell biology, evolution, and biotechnology have been among the major achievements in biology over the past 200 years with accelerated discoveries and insight’s over the last 50 years. Consider the progress we have made in these areas of human knowledge. Present at least three of the discoveries you find to be the most important and describe their significance to society, heath, and the culture of modern life.