Interesting article in the Palm Beach Post: Gator blood touted as potential source of lifesaving drugs
Researchers in Louisiana say they’ve discovered unique antibiotic proteins in the blood of American alligators that can kill a wide variety of deadly bacteria, halt the spread of common infections and perhaps even stop HIV.
If they’re right and they’re able to sequence the genetics of gator blood, the researchers say superdrugs based on their findings might be available within 10 years.
“It’s pretty exciting,” said Lancia Darville, a Louisiana State University researcher who is scheduled to present the findings at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in New Orleans this week.
The alligator has developed a special immune system during its long evolution, Darville said.
“If you think about alligators, they usually get into a lot of fights and get cuts and bruises and torn limbs, and they live in swamps that have a whole lot of bacteria,” she said. “But even in the presence of all that bacteria, they (almost) never get any infections.”
The alligator has developed a special immune system during its long evolution, Darville said.
Is this a scientific observation, or an assumption? (I bet the former).
later!
You were right the first time.
Wow… Did William Wallace just make an argument for evolution, and then claim to be leaving?
Amazing. I never thought I’d see the day.
William Wallace often trolls here and often insults the intelligence of others. Now he demonstrates how he doesn’t know the difference between latter and former and he doesn’t even know how to spell latter. (I’m surprised he didn’t write ladder.)
But more important than him revealing his own ignorance, I’d like to reveal his dishonesty. The question itself, disregarding the mistakes, asks “scientific observation, or assumption?” As if there can be no other options. How ’bout neither, Mr. Wallace? How ’bout: “an explanation that is consistent with the facts and is concurrent with general evolutionary theory.”
Later!
Invoking a supernatural cause, now that would be an assumption.
Beelzebub! I’ve been hoodwinked by the spam filter again.
Lighten up!
Try this. Speaking of said trolls:
Troll feeding & hunting rules POSTED here.
Hey what about snake oil too !
All I can say about this article is… Go Gators!