Virologists at National Yang-Ming University (NYMU) in Taipei have discovered the cause for the high morbidity rate of SARS, indicating that mutations in a specific protein in the SARS virus can greatly accelerate the viral replication process, university sources reported yesterday.
The proteins are susceptible to mutations once the SARS coronavirus gets inside humans, explained NYMU professor Chen Yi-ming (陳宜民), adding that human-type SARS viruses can therefore replicate 60 to 100 times faster than pre-mutation ones, resulting in high morbidity rates.
Chen said that if a targeted drug aimed at reducing or even inhibiting the relevant protein and related mechanisms can be created, humans might eventually have an effective SARS prevention method.
The understanding of the protein might also facilitate the study of cancer metastasis, he added.
The results have been published by the US-based Journal of Infectious Diseases, first in its online version July 19 and then in print in its Aug. 1 issue.
Scientists have found that the aggressiveness of SARS viruses are very different in cases of civets and as opposed to humans in previous studies.
Based on those findings, Chen Chia-yen (
Chen Chia-yen found that the variations not only induce apoptosis phenomena in viruses but also greatly accelerate the replication process.
Taipei and New Taipei City government officials are aiming to have the first phase of the Wanhua-Jungho-Shulin Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line completed and opened by 2027, following the arrival of the first train set yesterday. The 22km-long Light Green Line would connect four densely populated districts in Taipei and New Taipei City: Wanhua (萬華), Jhonghe (中和), Tucheng (土城) and Shulin (樹林). The first phase of the project would connect Wanhua and Jhonghe districts, with Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Chukuang (莒光) being the terminal stations. The two municipalities jointly hosted a ceremony for the first train to be used
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