In the context of Precision Medicine, infections draw our attention because they have
played an important role in the evolution of the eukaryotic genome. Over the next few blog posts, we will
explore the following:
- A significant portion of the human genome consists of relic DNA derived from ancient
invasive organisms.
- Some of the key steps in the development of vertebrate animals, and mammals in
particular, have come from DNA acquired from infectious organisms.
- A good portion of the genes in humans (perhaps 10%) are involved in responses to
infectious organisms.
- Most of the cells in the human (at least 90%) consist of infectious organisms and
commensals that have adapted to life within human hosts. [Glossary Commensal]
- Normal defenses can block every infectious disease. Hence, every infectious disease
results from a failure of our normal defenses, immunologic and otherwise.
- Cellular defects that have no direct connection to immunity may increase
susceptibility to infectious organisms.
- By dissecting the biological steps involved in the pathogenesis of infectious disease, it
is possible to develop new treatments, other than antibiotics, that will be effective
against a range of related organisms.
Over the next few blogs, we'll do our best to justify each of these (as yet) unproven assertions.
-
Jules Berman
key words: precision medicine, infections, evolution, resistance to infection, jules j berman Ph.D., M.D.
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