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This coming so close after the announcement by DeepMind that they're releasing the data on hundreds of thousands of protein folding structures has me with a gro

This coming so close after the announcement by DeepMind that they're releasing the data on hundreds of thousands of protein folding structures has me with a growing knot in my stomach. As generous and useful on a human-scale an announcement as that was, my first thought was how it could be abused. So too prion research. Who'd've thunk that muscle bulk could be so scary? (!)

peytoncasper 5y ago
I just wanted to add a comment about your muscle bulk comment. Protein in protein shakes is usually denatured or rather just a collection of amino acids. Proteins that are synthesized by the body have a structure to them and Prions are simply misfolded representations of those proteins. The process of destroying a Prion involves denaturing it by removing its structure. I don't believe that muscle tissue is anymore related to Prions or structured proteins than any other part of your body as the protein that we eat is simply amino acids or building blocks for creating things like tissues. It does beg the question though, could some of the advancements by DeepMind help us understand how to unfold Prions more effectively than using Bleach.
- detritus 5y ago
  Just for clarity - my last line there was me being facetious! I was under the impression that even boiling or bleaching did little to kill prions? I seem to recall that even autoclaving surgey equipment did nothing to them, so they had to be thrown? Otherwise, yes - there're lands of opportunity in the science of protein un/folding.. but as much, there's scope for naughtiness too. Seems to me like this level of tech - or, at least - that which may be available in this domain over the next 50 years, could be one of those existential Great Selector/Filter events that biological civilisations might face over their evolution.
  - peytoncasper 5y ago
    Ah apologies. And Bleach is utilized in the labs to denature the prions appropriately. You're correct that autoclaves are not used as heat unfortunately is not enough to kill them. Its like 100% bleach.

peytoncasper 5y ago

I just wanted to add a comment about your muscle bulk comment. Protein in protein shakes is usually denatured or rather just a collection of amino acids. Proteins that are synthesized by the body have a structure to them and Prions are simply misfolded representations of those proteins. The process of destroying a Prion involves denaturing it by removing its structure. I don't believe that muscle tissue is anymore related to Prions or structured proteins than any other part of your body as the protein that we eat is simply amino acids or building blocks for creating things like tissues. It does beg the question though, could some of the advancements by DeepMind help us understand how to unfold Prions more effectively than using Bleach.

detritus 5y ago
Just for clarity - my last line there was me being facetious! I was under the impression that even boiling or bleaching did little to kill prions? I seem to recall that even autoclaving surgey equipment did nothing to them, so they had to be thrown? Otherwise, yes - there're lands of opportunity in the science of protein un/folding.. but as much, there's scope for naughtiness too. Seems to me like this level of tech - or, at least - that which may be available in this domain over the next 50 years, could be one of those existential Great Selector/Filter events that biological civilisations might face over their evolution.
- peytoncasper 5y ago
  Ah apologies. And Bleach is utilized in the labs to denature the prions appropriately. You're correct that autoclaves are not used as heat unfortunately is not enough to kill them. Its like 100% bleach.