Cure for common cold found?

Gilly

Gilly

Gilly

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Enigma has found a code in the virus!

End of common cold could be in sight
Scientists say 'Enigma machine' has unlocked clues to the way the virus of the common cold assembles - making it possible to stop disease in its tracks
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A scientific breakthrough could herald an end to the common cold, after researchers found a way to “jam” the genetic code and stop the virus replicating.

Experts said the discovery could allow scientists to design molecules which could “stop the virus in its tracks” - fending off colds and winter vomiting disease.

Scientists from the Universities of Leeds and York used a computer-based model to identify a code in the viral genome, which causes rhinoviruses, the most common group of viruses, and the cause of most colds.

They said the breakthrough means that in future, it could be possible to find a way to jam the messages conveyed by the molecules, stopping the virus functioning before disease even starts.

The breakthrough could save future generations from the misery of colds, and protect them from more serious illnesses.
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I didn't think we would ever find a 'cure'.
 
Admiral Huddy said:
Even if they did, i'm not sure they'd release any anti-viral products. "Cold symptom" relief is a big global industry.
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Well my understanding is that you would still have symptoms, it's just the recovery process would be much faster. I mean you'd still have to have the virus before they could give you the treatment. Unless by cure they mean they can actually vaccinate against it.
 
~>Dg<~ said:
virus then changes to something even worse.


12 monkeys.
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Yeah I think that's my biggest worry when we start buggering about with gene splicing.

If they keep fixing diseases we'll have to impliment some form of population control. As horrible as that is to say.

Nonetheless very interesting times.

It's a hell of along way from reading the sequence to a cure though.
 
Mynight said:
He's kinda got a point though. The companies that would produce such a vaccine would most likely be the ones producing the cold relief drugs as well. Whichever is more profitable will win.
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No. Manufacturers of generic cold symptom drugs are in a different league to bio pharmaceutical research firms.
 
Energize said:
No. Manufacturers of generic cold symptom drugs are in a different league to bio pharmaceutical research firms.
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Plus a "cure", would be patented to one manufacturer, so they would be canabilising their own "cold relief" market, but destroying their competitors.
 
Admiral Huddy said:
Even if they did, i'm not sure they'd release any anti-viral products. "Cold symptom" relief is a big global industry.
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That makes no sense - who is 'they'... all the worlds drug companies don't act as a single collective... a 'cure' for the common cold would be massive for anyone producing it.
 
Years ago when Admiral Sir Faysun sr RN. Rtd, was still in the Royal Navy, he volunteered for cold research at Porton Down. (iirc this was back in the late 1950's - early 1960's), he's not had a cold till this Christmas just gone.

Stick that one in your conspiracy theory pipe!
 
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