NEW AND USEFUL?
Isn't it interesting how Nature releases new bits and pieces of information which we might be of use to us once we realize how they fit into the overall scheme of existing things? Over the centuries Man has adapted various plants, minerals, and substances of various kinds to make his life more pleasant, safer or longer.
Some such items, have come from the most unlikely places, too. Take one of the latest such finds have heard about, are found in, of all places, tiny clumps of strange microbes that have the remarkable ability to renew themselves completely in a matter of minutes after their DNA has been destroyed by every standard known to be harmful – intense, continued radiation, extreme dryness for protracted periods, and even exposure to the vacuum of space. These tiny microbes live although saturated by the intensely salty water of the Dead Sea - ten times as salty as other sea waters - seeping into their structures and breaking the body apart. Just how these tiny microbes - only five microns in length - develop the power to restore their shattered DNA structure is unknown, of course. They can restore their DNA pattern which has been broken, destroyed, mutated and accomplish that impossible feted in a matter of a few minutes.
Very few people, realizing that can be done, can avoid see in how important such a power could to mankind when disease takes control of the human body and, when human DNA structures are broke or endangered wouldn't it be wise to have something of that nature in our little bag of trick used to confute the ravages of disease among us.
The microbe has a suitable name . It is called “halo” with tech-sounding “bacterium”.Major work is being done to find the uses of this piece of knowledge at the University of Maryland where a research group is active in seeking out detailed uses of the Halo microbes abilities and the force which they provide for us to restore DNA. It is even being considered that, since Mars seems to have once had salty pools, it might also have halomicrobes in such areas to this day. Now that the initial discovery has been made and how it is to be used. True enough the experimental labs at our leading universities an other such establishments have taken on the battle for now, but you are a potential worker in the same field by setting forth forth your ideas are just as important as those of the experts.
Think about it. If DNA structures, when damaged, could be repaired, how would that influence the world. The tool with which we might work are found in plants and animals and plants and this discovery is and important one and it comes as a direct challenge to scientists and microbiologists, in particular - those of the present, and even more so, of the future. The humble halo microbe, found - as far as we know - only in the Dead Sea - a most inhospitable environment - offers a new chance for chance for a young, fearlessly alert, aggressive and venture-minded young man or woman to best the evils of disease and to bring to reality a better world for all of us.
A.L.M. September 16, 2004 [c557wds]
