英语杂谈：101 Temperature-sensitive genes

Some bacteria have adapted to super cold environments for millions of years. And scientists have isolated¹ some of the essential genes² that allow bacteria to tolerate their harsh living conditions—because these same genes might help in the creation of new vaccines³. The investigators⁴ published their findings in the Proceedings⁵ of the National Academy of Sciences.

Researchers from the University of Victoria in British Columbia [and the NIH Laboratory of Intracellular Parasites] isolated temperature-sensitive genes from some bacteria that thrive in the frigid⁶ Arctic. They inserted nine of these cold-loving genes into a bacterial⁷ pathogen called Francisella tularensis. At about room temperature, the cells propagated. But when they had to cope with warmth equivalent to the core body temps of mammals, the bacteria died.

So the scientists injected these engineered pathogens into rats and mice at cool parts of the body, such as the fleshy regions of the ear and the base of the tail. The bacteria survived near the skin, but perished prior to reaching the internal organs. And before they expired, the bacteria generated a protective immune response in the animals. The scientists hope to use this tool to create live vaccines that will confer immunity—before they die from our too warm welcome.

—Cynthia Graber

 

1 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

2 genes   

n.基因( gene的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪

3 vaccines   

疫苗，痘苗( vaccine的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His team are at the forefront of scientific research into vaccines. 他的小组处于疫苗科研的最前沿。
• The vaccines were kept cool in refrigerators. 疫苗放在冰箱中冷藏。

4 investigators   

n.调查者，审查者( investigator的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• This memo could be the smoking gun that investigators have been looking for. 这份备忘录可能是调查人员一直在寻找的证据。
• The team consisted of six investigators and two secretaries. 这个团队由六个调查人员和两个秘书组成。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 proceedings   

n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼

6 frigid   

adj.寒冷的，凛冽的；冷淡的；拘禁的

参考例句：

• The water was too frigid to allow him to remain submerged for long.水冰冷彻骨，他在下面呆不了太长时间。
• She returned his smile with a frigid glance.对他的微笑她报以冷冷的一瞥。

7 bacterial   

a.细菌的

参考例句：

• Bacterial reproduction is accelerated in weightless space. 在失重的空间，细菌繁殖加快了。
• Brain lesions can be caused by bacterial infections. 大脑损伤可能由细菌感染引起。