Q8: Are there attractive drug targets in the viruses genome like integrase and reverse transcriptase in HIV?
There have not been enough studies yet to understand the Ebola virus replication well enough to identify man of these sites or processes. There are no integrases or RTs because the RNA virus does not have a DNA step or integrate into cellular genetic material. However, there may be sites yet to be discovered or understood as drug targets.
Q10: What exactly is in the treatment, Zmapp serum, used for the two Ebola patients brought to the US? Zmapp contains a humanized monoclonal antibody (combination of regions from a human protein and a mouse or rabbit). It is made against a region of the virus protein that contacts the cell. The antibody is made to high levels in a virus produced and purified from tobacco leaves. It is placed in serum from an Ebola patient when possible. (Will check on use of human serum).
Q11: Explain why it was important bring the 2 patients to US and flex the treatment protocols at Emory? There was not high level isolation and treatment with support in West Africa. At Emory they could get the best available safe care using latest technology and monitoring. Lack of such high care facilities in West Africa, especially needed for health care providers who are on the frontlines, has been a major concern with getting more personnel into affected areas.
Q12: Were the recoveries of Brantly, Writebol and the 3rd patient more about the supportive care or about the serum they were given? We do not know. No controls were in place to determine how anyone of these alone contributed to recovery. Likely contribution of all- supportive care, serum and ZMapp.
Does it bind free virus, or to virus-infected cells, or elicit phagocytic responses? Serum from a patient who has survived Ebola infection contains antibody to Ebola that can reduce virus replication. Those antibodies can bind to virus and infected cells to bring in defense processes of other members of the immune system- including phagocytosis of viral infected cells.
Q13: What specific medical waste handling protocols were used at Emory Hospital? Yes, at a biosafety level 4 facility, everything is disinfected or autoclaved before disposal in regulated biologically safe ways. In BL4 facilities, there is a controlled hepa-filtered air that only flows into the room, not out. People can only enter when wearing protective gear that is shed in an interim air controlled room before they enter into contact with other spaces. There is head to toe coverage so no skin surface is exposed.
Q12a: Does the serum contain an anti-Ebola mAb?
Several groups of corporations, government agencies and groups of individuals have been concerned about the over-reliance that US ST employers have on foreign-born personnel. When countries like India and China can provide more scientists and engineers than the US could possibly employ, and America has a long and sad history of giving preferences to immigrant labor over African American labor, there is clear a policy conundrum that has to be carefully considered.
Were human wastes pre-treated in the hospital before being discharged into the normal public works system?
Perhaps the best way to stay informed is through professional associations, advocacy groups, think tanks and focused news outlets like The Hill, Roll Call and Politico. Bills in the US House and Senate as well as legislation in the various states can be tracked by online tools like .
TOMORROW EST, I will join a special #STEMchat panel along other parents, educators and STEM professionals! Join us as we discuss ideas and resources for the exploration of science in everyday life! I’ll be tweeting from Follow , too!
Today’s blog and chat features experts within the #BLACKandSTEM community and NSTNS who will serve as resources to answer our questions about the Ebola Virus Disease. Follow the #BLACKandSTEM hashtag, , , and Today’s chat questions: What are your questions and concerns regarding the Ebola Virus Disease? What is the role of #BLACKandSTEM in the combat of Ebola and similar diseases? What has the Ebola outbreak shown us about the impact of technology in the communication and tracking of disease outbreaks? Remember you can answer throughout the day. And use the #BLACKandSTEM hashtag.
Q7: Once the virus is in host cells, what is cellular/molecular pathology of Ebola infection? Thoughts are that Ebola virus makes a protein or product that affects a common mechanism in cell gene expression or membrane uptake that regulate cellular fluid control. It may also encode a toxin that affects blood clotting.