13-Year old's science project does a big deal to AIDS Patients
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| "This false-color electron microscope image catches the fungus Cryptococcus gatii in the act of producing its infectious spores. The club-shaped blue structure is a reproductive organ called the basidium, which projects off the fungus body like an apple off a tree. The spores are colored yellow, and are like seeds that can give rise to a new organism. Photo credit: Center for Microbial Pathogenesis." (Photo : Duke University) |
Elan, 13-year old girl from Southern California, took 109 swabs of over 30 tree species as well as 58 soil samples for her science . She was investigating samples of specimens infected with the fungus Cryptococcus gattii (CRIP-to-cock-us GAT-ee-eye). The student then grew and isolate C. gatti fungus and sent them to Springer. The researchers compared the genetic sequences of the fungi with those HIV/AIDS patients suffering from the infection. Springer found three tree species were basically genetically indistinguishable from the human samples. Springer also observed the fungi could reproduce even when separated from the soil. Literally, it grows on trees.
C. gattii can cause fatal infections in the lungs and the brain, and has been responsible for a third of all AIDS-related deaths.
"That finding is important for long-term prevalence in the environment, because this fungal pathogen will be able to grow, reproduce, disperse spores, and serve as a source of ongoing infections," Springer said.
Source :: HNGN
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