Word: antigenic
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...nervous system, and leads to gradual loss of muscular control. Initial studies suggest that small doses of cyclosporine may be effective in blunting the symptoms of the disease. Some researchers, however, are searching for a more selective remedy that involves mass-producing antibodies that are specific to one antigen. These so-called monoclonal antibodies are designed to immobilize only those B cells that produce the antibodies responsible for the disease...
...soon to have a powerful ally in their campaign against viruses: vaccines made from genetically engineered viruses. At the NIH, Dr. Bernard Moss is using recombinant DNA techniques to convert vaccinia, a large virus that causes cowpox, into a one-shot, multidisease vaccine. He plans to insert only the antigen-coding genes of eight to ten kinds of dangerous viruses into the DNA of live but weakened vaccinia viruses. The re- engineered vaccinia would then sport the antigens of the harmful viruses, but not their ability to cause disease. Once inoculated, it would stimulate the immune system into producing cells...
...Essex's group has identified the protein products most closely linked to the lethal effects of the retrovirus, and the viral antigen--glycoprotein 120--the likely target for preventive vaccines against AIDS," the Foundation's citation read...
...advent of genetic engineering in the 1970s made such tedious work obsolete. Using methods for dissecting molecules, the two groups of researchers reporting in Science were able to identify the specific antigen, found on the surface of the sporozoite, that is responsible for producing immunity to this stage of the parasite, and they were able to unravel part of the chemical structure of the antigen. To their surprise, it was quite simple. So simple, says Victor Nussenzweig, "that it can be very easily synthesized using plain, old-fashioned chemistry." Nonetheless, a vaccine based on the antigen still faces...
Over the past ten years, no area has developed faster than the examination of bloodstains. "Before, we used to be satisfied with identifying a blood sample as type A, B, AB or O. Now we have 13 or more different antigen and enzyme systems we can pick out," says Gary Howell, 34, director of the Kansas City regional crime lab. The probability that any two people will share the same assortment of these blood variables is .1% or less. Because of that, Howell was recently able to use two tiny bloodstains to help convict a double murderer...