Category Archives: News

Researchers learn how Ebola virus disables the body’s immune defenses

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GALVESTON, Texas – A new study by researchers from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston uncovered new information on why the Ebola virus can exert such catastrophic effects on the infected person. They’ve described for the first time how the virus disables T cells, an important line of immune defense, thus rendering the infected person less able to combat the infection. The findings are currently available in PLOS Pathogens.

Ebola virus disease is one of the most devastating infectious diseases known to exist, with previous outbreaks resulting in high fatality rates. The particularly aggressive nature of Ebola virus stems from its ability to rapidly disarm the infected person’s immune system by blocking the development of a virus-specific adaptive immune response.

White blood cells are an important part of our immune system. Lymphopenia happens when the white blood T cell count in the bloodstream is lower than normal – in fact, the extent of lymphopenia is one of the strongest indicators of how severe the Ebola infection will become.

“People who survive an Ebola infection are able to maintain their T cell levels over the course of the infection whereas low T cell levels are nearly universally seen in fatalities,” said senior author Alex Bukreyev, a UTMB virologist in the departments of pathology and microbiology and immunology. “The trouble is that we’ve never understood how this T cell depletion occurs, so we set out to answer this question.”

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Scientists now know how Zika and dengue viruses assemble inside host, will improve vaccine and antiviral efforts

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GALVESTON, Texas – Two new studies from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have unraveled the mystery of how the dengue and Zika viruses assemble when they infect human and mosquito hosts. The results have recently been published in Cell Host & Microbe (for dengue virus) and mBio (for Zika virus).

“These findings represent major progress toward understanding how these deadly viruses are assembled during infection, which provides new opportunities for antiviral and vaccine development,” said Pei-Yong Shi, UTMB professor in the department of biochemistry & molecular biology.

In summary, now that scientists know how Zika and dengue viruses form inside infected cells, this knowledge could be used to deter or stop the viruses from gaining full strength through inhibiting virus formation.

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To All Our Dear Friends and Family,

Alas, another long year of grief advances to a close, bringing with it another holiday season. This is our most difficult time of the year, and yet there is great joy in giving. Thanks to the continued generosity of so many of our friends and family members we are able to give through this wonderful foundation to causes Michael would have found interesting, worthy, and important.

We have funded great initiatives, many of which are ongoing and endowed giving. Through this Michael’s legacy will live on and this makes us very proud. Tom and I find so much comfort and joy in giving to remember and honor our precious son! We know he is smiling down on our efforts. This year in addition to ongoing endeavors we again turn toward the ever important problem of emerging viruses and the work in research to end human suffering. We are planning a donation to Alzheimer’s research and are very encouraged in learning the advances scientists have made toward treatment and eventual cure. In addition, those who knew Michael well, knew his great love for film and the industry. We have therefore decided to fund an endowed scholarship in film at UTA which will be titled “The Purgason Film Scholar”. We are very excited about this. There can never be enough dollars donated to education and research. Thanks to your help Michael’s foundation can make a difference.

Yes, a curtain has descended, a moment has passed and a life slips from frequent recall. The spotlight is off and the applause has ended, but the effects on us are timeless. His memory beckons future welcome. His spirit stirs ever within us and this reminds us daily to work hard in his name and to carry on his mission to enlighten, care for, and educate those around him. Michael was a great lover of knowledge and his foundation is hope for the future. Thank you for being a part of something great, something that brings us joy.
Our wish for you and yours is a peaceful, loving and joyous holiday season. We hope you will find it in your hearts to remember us. We pray for your happiness and health. May our Lord God wrap his loving arms around you and hold you close.

Blessings to all of you.
Tom and Michele Purgason

Zika virus: US scientists say vaccine “10 years away”

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Nikos VasilakisFrozen Zika Virus

American scientists studying the Zika virus have warned that it could be a decade before a vaccine is publicly available.

The virus is linked to shrunken brains in unborn children, leading to severe brain damage or death.

It has spread to more than 20 countries, and has caused panic in Brazil where thousands of people have been infected.

There is currently no vaccine or cure, and diagnostic testing is difficult.

The search for a vaccine is being led by scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

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Dear Friends and Family,

Tom and I remain humbled and so very grateful for the compassion and generosity of all of you as we continue the grief journey.  We are truly blessed that so many of you recognize the virtue of Michael’s Foundation and recognize also that this is a grief that will never, ever end. The Foundation affords us an outlet for our continued suffering as we find such comfort it doing what we can for Michael’s beloved educational opportunities.

In addition to continuing the endowed funding at several institutions of higher learning, this year we have chosen to focus on Emerging Viruses-especially after the threat we recently dealt with in the United States from Ebola.  Marburg looms on the horizon and we must be ready.  These and many other dangerous diseases are being heavily researched at the Galveston National Laboratory.  Some are more dangerous than Ebola. The Galveston National Laboratory was the research institution that created the Ebola vaccine which is in production today.  In addition they are close to creating a vaccine for Alzheimer’s disease and numerous other threats that affect us as individuals and a people.

Michael was doing a competitive internship at the Galveston national Laboratory at UTMD when he passed away.  He was researching the Rickettsia virus. He had such wonderful enthusiasm for his work and all the work at the lab. We know Michael loves all we have done, and with your help, will continue to do.

We have found “A Grace Disguised” in this foundation work.  As mentioned before in my annual letter this is all we can do now for our most precious son. We are always studying new ventures and considering different educational initiatives to assist with funding.  It has been our great pleasure.  Michael believed so vehemently in education thus we feel strongly in our cause.  He was the greatest young man and not a day passes without tears shed.

Thank you for your consideration.  We appreciate you all so very much.  No parent should ever have to do this, but it is in giving that we find joy and comfort.  May Our Lord God truly bless and keep you and your families safe and happy this holiday season and in the coming year.

 

All our love,

Tom and Michele Purgason