A potential plasmid-based therapy for cancer and viral diseases?

Protein transduction domains (PTD) are cell permeable protein components or peptides that allow the ferrying of larger proteins across the plasma membrane. The TAT protein of HIV has a PTD consisting of a 9 amino acid sequence – RKKRRQRRR (amino acid 49 – 57) (Beerens et al, 2006). Subsequently, investigators have shown that the peptide sequence of the TAT PTD fused to proteins mediated their delivery into the cells (Xia et al, 2001). Usually, such amino acids are cationic in nature. More potent PTDs have also been synthesized from peptides, e.g. PTD-4, PTD-5, MST-1, L-R9 and peptide-2.

Cellular immunity in HIV: Inducing cellular immunity to HIV using Epstein Barr episomal vectors

The failure of a proposed HIV vaccine seemed to cast a pessimistic light over workers within the field, but all is not lost. It appears that the trick now is to manipulate the susceptible cells in a way that cellular immunity can be achieved. The HIV virus is known to make use of the CCR5 coreceptor expressed by the CD4 T cell in order to gain entry into the latter (Wang et al, 1998). Thus, knocking out or knocking down the CCR5 gene seems to be one potential therapeutic approach. Baltimore and colleagues made use of lentiviral vectors to deliver small interfering RNA against CCR5 (Qin et al, 2003). The other attractive approach is to use zinc finger nucleases, specific molecular scissors that induce DNA strand breaks, and in doing so, disrupt the gene. The zinc finger nuclease can be made specific to target certain genes. The use of zinc finger nuclease to deactivate the CCR5 gene in CD4 T cells are already in Phase I trials (Nature Review).

Cellular manipulation: A potential biotechnological application for the membrane nanotube?

Membrane nanotubes are tubes that connect the plasma membrane of animal cells (Davis et al, 2008). There are two types of nanotubes, the first type has a diameter of less than 0.7 micrometers, and contains actins. It is responsible for ferrying portions of plasma membrane between connecting cells. The second type is larger, with a diameter of more than 0.7 micrometers, and can transport cytoplasmic materials, organelles and membrane components between connecting cells (Onfelt et al, 2006).

An experimental approach using chimeric CD8 T + B cell to treat HIV

In an earlier piece, I came up with a suggestion of creating a chimeric CD8 + B cell in an immunotherapeutic approach against cancer. Such a cell would have the combined properties of a CD8 T cell, and is able to identify other cells bearing the antigen with its T cell receptors, and mediate cell killing through perforin and granzymes, or through the apoptotic pathway. The cell is also able to produce antibodies that can bind to antigens. This chimeric CD8 + B cell might also prove useful in the treatment of patients with HIV virus.

Should developing countries adopt the successful industrial policies of Asia?

Extensive debate has surrounded both trade and industrial policies in economic development. Owing to its enormous scope, it is therefore not possible to cover in detail all of the theoretical and empirical implications. In this paper, I will selectively concentrate on certain issues dealing with industrial policy, evaluating if it should be adopted by developing countries with special attention paid to the experience of the Latin American/East Asian countries.

Experimenting with new ideas to fight cancer: Two different approaches involving B cells and chimeric B + CD8 T cells

The recent years have seen more sophisticated tools developed to fight cancer. One of the strategies involves harnessing our immune system. There are a number of conventional approaches and this includes using an armoury of dendritic cells, T cells, natural killer cells and antibodies (biologics e.g. avastin).

There is good potential for B cells to be used as a weapon in the fight against cancer. B cells are first and foremost, antigen-presenting cells, which means they can stimulate the adaptive arm of the immune system by interacting with T cells. Lapointe and co-workers have shown that CD40-stimulated non-specific B cells exposed to tumour antigens can transform into effective antigen presenting cells that can generate T cells, which are tumour-specific (Lapointe et al, 2003).

Cancer cancelling cancer and other diseases: Unconventional approach of using metastatic cancer cells as a potential drug delivery vehicle to specific organs

Metastasis
One of the hallmarks of advanced stage cancer is its ability to metastasize to other organs. Work has been done elucidating the role of cancer stem cells in this metastatic spread. (Wicha, 2006). It is common for cancer of a certain type of spread to a specific organ, for instance breast cancer stem cells spreading to the bone. The environment of the breast cancer tumour is such that the cancer cells obtain calcium from the milk. Thus, it has a tendency to spread to bone where there is a reservoir of calcium. There have been reports of renal cancer cells spreading to the thyroid and pancreas (Urdiales-Viedma, 2008). Stomach cancer can spread to other organs, particularly the oesophagus, lung or liver. Colon cancer can spread to the liver and pancreas. Melonoma (cancer of pigment cells) can spread to the brain.

The Question of God in Heidegger’s Phenomenology: A Prolegomena to Theology in Sein und Zeit

The guiding question of Heidegger’s pathway of thought in his monumental work Sein und Zeit has primarily been that of Being. However, Heidegger noted at the beginning of Sein und Zeit that the word “Being”, which at the inception of Western philosophy was the focal point of Greek thought, could no longer allure us. Within the context of his philosophical framework in Sein und Zeit, this paper raises the question of God in Heidegger’s phenomenology. This question shall be approached first with an analysis of Heidegger’s critique of the Cartesian interpretation of the world that translates into a fundamental redescription of human beings, resulting in a Christianization of God. In light of this, the second part of this paper will examine the intimate connection between Heidegger’s critique of subjectivity and methodology through an understanding of his phenomenological descriptions of Dasein. Lastly, against the backdrop of such an understanding, I will address Heidegger’s perspective towards theology and examine its relation with his phenomenology, raising the potential difficulties that such an interpretation of theology may occur.

OTHER NEWS HEADLINE

• Foreign Students inundate NUS recruitment talks
• GV: $10 to watch DVD in Cinema
• Immigration to be hottest topic in Singapore yet
• Mixed response to National Day Rally
• Graduating with student debts?

Feature

Vui Kong’s family pleads outside Istana
by Christopher Ong

MORE STORIES

Did he obstruct justice or did he not?

AN usual situation has developed between Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) concerning the arrest and subsequent handcuffing of Lianhe Wanbao photographer Shafie Goh while he was covering the flooding along Upper Bukit Timah road last week.

• Should new citizens serve compulsory time at the grassroots level?
• Why ban Lim Hock Siew’s footage?
• Are Singaporeans becoming more easily irritable?
• Spain face German blitzkrieg
• World Cup Semis – Any chance, Uruguay?
• Vuvuzelas — To Bee or not to Bee?

Have Your Say

HAPPENING ABOUT TOWN

NUS Dance Ensemble - Lights off
Running into its 18th successful year, the NUS Dance Ensemble is proud to present The Next Wave 2010 – Lights Off. The Ensemble is one of the university’s distinguished dance groups, and has developed an extensive repertoire both locally and internationally.

Poll