From talking robots and video phones to rovers on Mars, technology has become so advanced that the p
英语试题 08-26
From talking robots and video phones to rovers on Mars, technology has become so advanced that the previously impossible seems to occur on a daily basis. And yet – we still have no cure for the common cold.
Why can’t we stop the common cold? According to Peter Barlow, a scientist at Edinburgh
Napier University in the UK, the main challenge lies in the many different types of cold viruses that are produced by the rhinoviruses (鼻病毒). There are at least 160 types. They mutate (突变) so easily that they quickly become resistant to drugs, or learn to hide from our immune systems. In other words, a single cure isn’t likely to work on every type of cold.
However, researchers from Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco, have found a possible answer. They discovered a protein that the viruses need. Without it, they can’t spread inside your body.
To identify the gene which produces the specific protein needed by the viruses, researchers used a gene-editing technique to test all genes in the human genome (基因组) one by one for thousands of cells. These modified (改变的) cells were then exposed to a range of enteroviruses(肠病毒), including the rhinoviruses which cause the common cold. All the viruses were unable to replicate (复制) inside cells without a gene that produces a specific protein, called methyltransferase SETD3.
Then, they tested genetically modified mice, which were completely unable to produce the protein. The mice were able to live healthy, normal lives without the protein. “Lacking that gene protected the mice completely from viral infection.” associate professor Jan Carette, from Stanford, told the BBC. “These mice would always die, but they survived and we saw a very strong reduction in viral replication and very strong protection.”
Carette said the plan is to find a drug which can temporarily suppress (抑制) the protein, instead of producing genetically modified humans. “We have identified a fantastic target that all enteroviruses and rhinoviruses require and depend on. Take that away and the virus really has no chance.” said Carette. “This is a really good first step – the second step is to have a chemical that mimics (模拟) this genetic deletion.” he added.
32. What does Peter Barlow think is the main problem for prevention of the common cold?
A. The slow mutation of some genes.
B. The fast speed at which rhinoviruses spread.
C. The wide variety of cold viruses created by rhinoviruses.
D. The harm rhinoviruses do to the immune system.
33. What can we learn about the protein needed by the viruses?
A. It allows the viruses to mutate easily.
B. It helps the viruses replicate inside our bodies.
Why can’t we stop the common cold? According to Peter Barlow, a scientist at Edinburgh
Napier University in the UK, the main challenge lies in the many different types of cold viruses that are produced by the rhinoviruses (鼻病毒). There are at least 160 types. They mutate (突变) so easily that they quickly become resistant to drugs, or learn to hide from our immune systems. In other words, a single cure isn’t likely to work on every type of cold.
However, researchers from Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco, have found a possible answer. They discovered a protein that the viruses need. Without it, they can’t spread inside your body.
To identify the gene which produces the specific protein needed by the viruses, researchers used a gene-editing technique to test all genes in the human genome (基因组) one by one for thousands of cells. These modified (改变的) cells were then exposed to a range of enteroviruses(肠病毒), including the rhinoviruses which cause the common cold. All the viruses were unable to replicate (复制) inside cells without a gene that produces a specific protein, called methyltransferase SETD3.
Then, they tested genetically modified mice, which were completely unable to produce the protein. The mice were able to live healthy, normal lives without the protein. “Lacking that gene protected the mice completely from viral infection.” associate professor Jan Carette, from Stanford, told the BBC. “These mice would always die, but they survived and we saw a very strong reduction in viral replication and very strong protection.”
Carette said the plan is to find a drug which can temporarily suppress (抑制) the protein, instead of producing genetically modified humans. “We have identified a fantastic target that all enteroviruses and rhinoviruses require and depend on. Take that away and the virus really has no chance.” said Carette. “This is a really good first step – the second step is to have a chemical that mimics (模拟) this genetic deletion.” he added.
32. What does Peter Barlow think is the main problem for prevention of the common cold?
A. The slow mutation of some genes.
B. The fast speed at which rhinoviruses spread.
C. The wide variety of cold viruses created by rhinoviruses.
D. The harm rhinoviruses do to the immune system.
33. What can we learn about the protein needed by the viruses?
A. It allows the viruses to mutate easily.
B. It helps the viruses replicate inside our bodies.
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