"Researchers attack e. coli at source" using bacteriophages

[yewberry]

Evergreen researchers attack E. coli at source
Technique uses bacteria-killing viruses


By Heather Woodward


The Olympian


Scientists at The Evergreen State College say they've come up with a way to drastically reduce the chance of E. coli entering the food supply.


Evergreen professors Andrew Brabban and Elizabeth Kutter have spent five years testing ways to use bacteria-killing viruses to attack E. coli strains where they live - in the gastrointestinal systems of sheep and cattle. Just as there are viruses that are deadly to humans, some viruses kill bacteria.

In two peer-reviewed articles published in scientific journals this month, the professors show how using a mixture of bacteria-killing viruses could eliminate almost 100 percent of E. coli without harming the animals.

http://www.theolympian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060930/NEWS/609300303

[kestrel91316]

1. Very cool. I've long wondered why we don't make more use of phages

in battling disease..............

[Kagemusha]

2. Fear of unintended consequences.

The talk of FrankenFood is already bad enough that people might call this Pre-Plagued Food or something if they fear that the cure may be worse than the disease.

Myself, I just like having things tested. Rigorously.

[kestrel91316]

3. Using phages doesn't lead to Frankenfood. Phages are not

"invented" or genetically engineered. They occur in nature and are to bacteria what deadly viruses are to us. And they are very species-specific, IIRC. I.e. a phage that kills STEC (aka E. coli O157H7)won't kill Lactobacillus or Serratia or "normal" E. coli or myriad other bacteria. So it can be used for specific targeting.

Phages are VERY natural. So very cool.

[Kagemusha]

8. Hey, I know that, but I bet you a lot of people think otherwise.

Just saying what unscientific minds might think. There's too many of those out there.

[Jester_11218]

4. Cure tip - Worked for me

Get yourself some grapefruit seed extract (GSE). I had E. Coli (what a terrible experience). GSE cured me in a day after about 10 days of progressively worse symptoms. 20 drops in a glass of iced tea. Then 10 drops later.
Next day...back to life.

FYI,
Jesse

[babydollhead]

5. As long as it is a gov't phage, or intern

Will the bacteria retreat into a closet? (ala Jeb Bush in Pittsburgh Yesterday?)

[babydollhead]

6. that was funny

[Kali]

9. Can you say coincidence?

Sure you can.

[SOS]

7. So rather than clean up

the revolting, filthy, cruel conditions at corporate anaimal feeding operations (cafo's), they will instead introduce viruses to kill the e coli.
Upton Sinclair would be impressed with our marvelous new biotechnology.
Gotta keep those profits up for the Republicans at IBP and Conagra.