Do you want zombies?

[legion]

https://www.studyfinds.org/scientists-discover-surprising-weapon-in-fight-against-brain-tumors-ebola/

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The Ebola virus is indisputably one of the deadliest viruses known to man, but according to Yale scientists, it may actually do some good for a change. Researchers say certain parts of the Ebola virus have shown promise in treating and fighting glioblastomas, or very hard to treat and often fatal brain tumors.

“The irony is that one of the world’s deadliest viruses may be useful in treating one of the deadliest of brain cancers,” comments Yale’s Anthony van den Pol, professor of neurosurgery, in a release.

This unlikely medical collaboration takes advantage of a fundamental weakness in cancerous tumors. Most cancer cells are unable to defend themselves with an immune response against viruses. This fact has caused researchers to test out the use of viruses in the fight against cancer. Of course, using viruses for medical purposes carries some inherent risk; viruses can potentially lead to dangerous infections in cancer patients.

So, in an effort to mitigate that risk, the team at Yale have been experimenting with producing and testing out chimeric viruses, or artificially created viruses created using a combination of genes from various viruses. Ideally, these chimeric viruses should be able to target and attack cancer cells without actually harming or infecting patients.

[RWebb]

how about parasites that change the behavior of the host?

- several examples...

[Crowbob]

Do they mean like HIV sequences inserted into coronaviruses?

Wuhan is (was?) on it, apparently.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by RWebb

how about parasites that change the behavior of the host?

- several examples...

Yes. Brain slugs for everyone

[legion]

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by RWebb

how about parasites that change the behavior of the host?

I divorced mine in 1997.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Do they mean like HIV sequences inserted into coronaviruses?

Wuhan is (was?) on it, apparently.

I was think of a parasite that changes insect behavior

here's just one of them:


https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00572/full


but arguably, you can thank the former parasite that first colonized eukaryotic cells and is known today as the mitochondrion - it makes energy for all your cells (usually) - can't build big organisms without it

[Por_sha911]

Of course, using viruses for medical purposes carries some inherent risk; viruses can potentially lead to dangerous infections in cancer patients.

So, in an effort to mitigate that risk, the team at Yale have been experimenting with producing and testing out chimeric viruses, or artificially created viruses created using a combination of genes from various viruses.

Does this remind anyone else of I Am Legend?