Showing posts with label infection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label infection. Show all posts
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Fragmented Observations (At the Early Stage of Infection)
Primal Urges
Like all life on earth viruses are driven by a desire to survive, this can be ensured by processes of reproduction and avoidance and they have developed incredibly sophisticated methods of ensuring these basic needs are met. Viruses have evolved over hundreds of millions of years - they are parasitic, not symbiotic - they can survive in various ways outside of the cell, though this is where they want to be. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) will become latent following infection, however, once the virus is embedded you have 'a friend for life'. Only becoming active again when the immune system displays signs of being lowered - perhaps a trigger, such is the case with Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV), another member of the Herpes family of viruses studied at the unit. Could this be seen as an attempt to flee, understanding the need to move on to a new, healthier host?
Hostile Takeover - In Vivo
Once viruses enter the cell their main aim is to replicate, some need to enter the nucleus to achieve this, such as HSV, some can complete this process in the cytoplasm of the cell such as HCV. They utilise most, if not all of the structures and processes within the cell to achieve their aim, the prognosis for the infected cell is not good. The process that is generally referred to as replication includes many stages - negotiations and appropriations - of the cells natural function but can be broken down into 3 main categories: entry, assembly and egress. Within this there are many further processes and strategies employed by different viruses: attachment, internalisaton, endocytosis, nuclear targeting, transcription, translation, genome replication, genome packaging, exocytosis and cell-to-cell spread.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) gains entry into liver cells using naturally occurring lipid particles inside of the body as a Trojan horse, tricking the cell to gain entry.
Following entry into the cell HCMV releases a 'first line' of proteins specifically designed to combat the cells primitive defenses to infection. The infected cell will try to warn neighbouring cells of the impending danger, HCMV is also capable of targeting the natural interferonproduced to carry out this early warning system.
Maximum Efficiency - The Highest Order
Like all complex cellular life, viruses have a rich evolutionary history, viruses studied at the unit cause human disease and can be classified into two main groups: DNA viruses and RNA viruses. Certain strains being traced back hundred of millions of years and having ancestors who have successfully infected many different species, HSV is one such virus. The HSV virus genome was successfully sequenced at the Virology Unit in Glasgow in the late 80's, it is a large, DNA virus that replicates in the nucleus of the cell. During this process new protein shells (capsids) must be created, which must then be filled with the newly replicated DNA strands. This process is called packaging. HSV replicates long strands of DNA calledconcatemers, which contain multiple copies of the same complete genome sequence joined together in a head to tail arrangement. During packaging this genetic information must be inserted into the procapsid (capsid before inclusion of DNA) and cleaved up into complete single genome strands. An incredibly powerful molecular motor forces the negatively charged particles arranged along the DNA strand inside the capsid through the portal - it is unclear how this system functions. The DNA is subsequently arranged within the capsid in such a way that it is filled to capacity. The resultant pressure caused by large quantities of negatively charged particles in close proximity is said to be equivalent to the pressure within 10 bottles of champagne.
Accident / Design
It is difficult to describe viral activity and characteristics without anthropomorphising, and this makes it somewhat difficult to think of viruses without these analogies. There is a history of debate on this issue which centre around the definition of life. Theoretically viruses may have developed concomitantly with cellular life on earth, their are theories that at this early stage things were not so clean cut. Lending strength to this simultaneous evolutionary theory is clearly identified presence of latent Retro Virus DNA embedded within the human genome. Do we have a viral predisposition? There is another evolutionary theory which talks of a 'RNA world' as the possible origins of life and the predecessor to our DNA based existence. It is speculated that RNA viruses such as HCV could be the ancient remnants of such a world.
During my first week in the unit viruses have been described to me in terms of having: needs, desires, specific familial behaviours and preemptive and defensive strategies for evasion and recognition. Obviously, there is an element of attempting to communicate very complex ideas in a way that is understandable - is there something more to this? As a positive sense RNA virus HCV is able to replicate very quickly upon entry into the cells cytoplasm, but it has an inability to proofread as it replicates leading to a high level of mutation in its progeny. This inability could be viewed as a defect in the nonstructural RNA, it could also be viewed as a highly evolved and amazingly effective viral defence mechanism - a viral intelligence? As in all scientific research, a lot is still unknown in Virology, residing in the realm of theory and speculation. It was mentioned to me that the most effective viruses are probably the ones that we don't know about. Indeed, it is in the viruses best interest to co-exist with their host, viruses that produce a rapid and wide-spread mortality are not doing themselves any favours. Is there a possibility of coexistence?
Like all life on earth viruses are driven by a desire to survive, this can be ensured by processes of reproduction and avoidance and they have developed incredibly sophisticated methods of ensuring these basic needs are met. Viruses have evolved over hundreds of millions of years - they are parasitic, not symbiotic - they can survive in various ways outside of the cell, though this is where they want to be. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) will become latent following infection, however, once the virus is embedded you have 'a friend for life'. Only becoming active again when the immune system displays signs of being lowered - perhaps a trigger, such is the case with Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV), another member of the Herpes family of viruses studied at the unit. Could this be seen as an attempt to flee, understanding the need to move on to a new, healthier host?
Hostile Takeover - In Vivo
Once viruses enter the cell their main aim is to replicate, some need to enter the nucleus to achieve this, such as HSV, some can complete this process in the cytoplasm of the cell such as HCV. They utilise most, if not all of the structures and processes within the cell to achieve their aim, the prognosis for the infected cell is not good. The process that is generally referred to as replication includes many stages - negotiations and appropriations - of the cells natural function but can be broken down into 3 main categories: entry, assembly and egress. Within this there are many further processes and strategies employed by different viruses: attachment, internalisaton, endocytosis, nuclear targeting, transcription, translation, genome replication, genome packaging, exocytosis and cell-to-cell spread.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) gains entry into liver cells using naturally occurring lipid particles inside of the body as a Trojan horse, tricking the cell to gain entry.
Following entry into the cell HCMV releases a 'first line' of proteins specifically designed to combat the cells primitive defenses to infection. The infected cell will try to warn neighbouring cells of the impending danger, HCMV is also capable of targeting the natural interferonproduced to carry out this early warning system.
Maximum Efficiency - The Highest Order
Like all complex cellular life, viruses have a rich evolutionary history, viruses studied at the unit cause human disease and can be classified into two main groups: DNA viruses and RNA viruses. Certain strains being traced back hundred of millions of years and having ancestors who have successfully infected many different species, HSV is one such virus. The HSV virus genome was successfully sequenced at the Virology Unit in Glasgow in the late 80's, it is a large, DNA virus that replicates in the nucleus of the cell. During this process new protein shells (capsids) must be created, which must then be filled with the newly replicated DNA strands. This process is called packaging. HSV replicates long strands of DNA calledconcatemers, which contain multiple copies of the same complete genome sequence joined together in a head to tail arrangement. During packaging this genetic information must be inserted into the procapsid (capsid before inclusion of DNA) and cleaved up into complete single genome strands. An incredibly powerful molecular motor forces the negatively charged particles arranged along the DNA strand inside the capsid through the portal - it is unclear how this system functions. The DNA is subsequently arranged within the capsid in such a way that it is filled to capacity. The resultant pressure caused by large quantities of negatively charged particles in close proximity is said to be equivalent to the pressure within 10 bottles of champagne.
Accident / Design
It is difficult to describe viral activity and characteristics without anthropomorphising, and this makes it somewhat difficult to think of viruses without these analogies. There is a history of debate on this issue which centre around the definition of life. Theoretically viruses may have developed concomitantly with cellular life on earth, their are theories that at this early stage things were not so clean cut. Lending strength to this simultaneous evolutionary theory is clearly identified presence of latent Retro Virus DNA embedded within the human genome. Do we have a viral predisposition? There is another evolutionary theory which talks of a 'RNA world' as the possible origins of life and the predecessor to our DNA based existence. It is speculated that RNA viruses such as HCV could be the ancient remnants of such a world.
During my first week in the unit viruses have been described to me in terms of having: needs, desires, specific familial behaviours and preemptive and defensive strategies for evasion and recognition. Obviously, there is an element of attempting to communicate very complex ideas in a way that is understandable - is there something more to this? As a positive sense RNA virus HCV is able to replicate very quickly upon entry into the cells cytoplasm, but it has an inability to proofread as it replicates leading to a high level of mutation in its progeny. This inability could be viewed as a defect in the nonstructural RNA, it could also be viewed as a highly evolved and amazingly effective viral defence mechanism - a viral intelligence? As in all scientific research, a lot is still unknown in Virology, residing in the realm of theory and speculation. It was mentioned to me that the most effective viruses are probably the ones that we don't know about. Indeed, it is in the viruses best interest to co-exist with their host, viruses that produce a rapid and wide-spread mortality are not doing themselves any favours. Is there a possibility of coexistence?
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Fear of the Unknown
At this point I know very little about viruses - I want to make this clear - if I'm a little bit off the mark scientifically speaking please bear this in mind. However, based on what little I do know - have read in newspapers articles, in New Scientist or the heavy books I have bought but not yet managed to fully get into - I find them fascinating. I am not sure where this fascination comes from, perhaps they spark an interest because of the inherent duality in their nature - with potentially destructive capabilities polarised by an innate beauty and possible role as healers in gene therapy. Perhaps because of the debate as to whether or not viruses should be classified as living organisms. This uncertainty in itself is fascinating and brings up a lot of questions about existence and belief. Perhaps it is simpler than this, perhaps it is a fear of the unknown. Having to place belief in science that there is another world all around us existing out of sight, a world of highly ordered, exquisitely symmetrical organisms, deadly in their simplicity. If viruses are the greatest threat to humankind in the 21st century surely we should know our enemy?
I will be working with structural biologist Dr David Bhella at the Medical Research Council's Virology Unit in Glasgow and with the Glasgow Science Centre during this initial 2-week period starting on the 8th December. This 2-week period has been funded by the Medical Research Council.
I will be working with structural biologist Dr David Bhella at the Medical Research Council's Virology Unit in Glasgow and with the Glasgow Science Centre during this initial 2-week period starting on the 8th December. This 2-week period has been funded by the Medical Research Council.
Friday, 31 October 2008
Up the Hill Backwards
Northumberland National Park is home to some of the most remote, uninterrupted, and unpopulated areas of land in the UK. It is a threshold space, a geographical and psychological borderland with a completely unique identity; it is a place of unquestionable beauty. My time in the park was largely spent alone, a sort of solitary release. The vast expanse of the landscape offers a rare opportunity, a time for silent introspection, a feeling of weight and weightlessness, perhaps a glimpse of your own mortality. It is something to do with space, the distant horizon and the big skies; you cannot help but ponder scale, your own existence and the connection you have to what is around you right now. The land seems to whisper to you…
The work I produced during my time in, on and with Northumberland National Park grew from a temporary symbiosis, from a relationship that began more like an infection - my own body as the foreign agent. Negotiating a relationship with the landscape takes time, and as certain systems and processes start to become clear, latent internal conflict becomes visible. It seems there are endless contradictions, a push and pull of opposites: timelessness and dynamism, natural order and the order imposed by man, to name a few. However, these opposites are held in perfect equilibrium, a balance between wilderness and control, an understanding that has developed through years of co-existence. Preservation of this delicate balance is explored in the works Chimera and Transhumation.
There is a profound relationship between the landscape and the body that transcends a singular definition. A hybrid of mythological, philosophical, scientific and spiritual connections must be considered. As my time in the park passed some of these connections were consolidated into a visual language of shared sets - bone and rock, layers that settle, cycles that blend together through time becoming part of a unified and balanced system. I explored the parks archaeological history as a way to communicate these connections, using traces of the body as source material. Though intact examples of human remains are rarely found in the park due to acidic soils I was able to work with archaeologists to examine human bones excavated from similar burial sites in the UK. Bones often ravaged by disease causing premature death or physical deformity, bones respectfully returned to the Earth which once provided life, completing a cycle. Working with scientists at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology and the Centre for Life, further traces of the body were collected. I was able to study time-lapse footage of human and animal cell cycles, in essence, existence expressed in its most universal terms. A highly ordered symmetry of process shared by all living organisms within the park, an order that represents everything we endlessly struggle to control and are helplessly at the mercy of.
Acknowledgements:
I would like to thank: Dr William Earnshaw and the Earnshaw Research Group at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology (Edinburgh) and Professor Charlotte Roberts (Durham University) for their contribution. I would also like to thank The Centre for Life (Newcastle upon Tyne), The Institute of Design Innovation (Middlesbrough), and the Northumberland National Park Authority for their support. Individual footage credits for Chimera: John Daum and Gary Gorbsky, Alexey Khodjakov, Susana Abreu Ribeiro, Shoichiro Tsukita and Yuko Mimori-Kiyosue.
The work I produced during my time in, on and with Northumberland National Park grew from a temporary symbiosis, from a relationship that began more like an infection - my own body as the foreign agent. Negotiating a relationship with the landscape takes time, and as certain systems and processes start to become clear, latent internal conflict becomes visible. It seems there are endless contradictions, a push and pull of opposites: timelessness and dynamism, natural order and the order imposed by man, to name a few. However, these opposites are held in perfect equilibrium, a balance between wilderness and control, an understanding that has developed through years of co-existence. Preservation of this delicate balance is explored in the works Chimera and Transhumation.
There is a profound relationship between the landscape and the body that transcends a singular definition. A hybrid of mythological, philosophical, scientific and spiritual connections must be considered. As my time in the park passed some of these connections were consolidated into a visual language of shared sets - bone and rock, layers that settle, cycles that blend together through time becoming part of a unified and balanced system. I explored the parks archaeological history as a way to communicate these connections, using traces of the body as source material. Though intact examples of human remains are rarely found in the park due to acidic soils I was able to work with archaeologists to examine human bones excavated from similar burial sites in the UK. Bones often ravaged by disease causing premature death or physical deformity, bones respectfully returned to the Earth which once provided life, completing a cycle. Working with scientists at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology and the Centre for Life, further traces of the body were collected. I was able to study time-lapse footage of human and animal cell cycles, in essence, existence expressed in its most universal terms. A highly ordered symmetry of process shared by all living organisms within the park, an order that represents everything we endlessly struggle to control and are helplessly at the mercy of.
Acknowledgements:
I would like to thank: Dr William Earnshaw and the Earnshaw Research Group at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology (Edinburgh) and Professor Charlotte Roberts (Durham University) for their contribution. I would also like to thank The Centre for Life (Newcastle upon Tyne), The Institute of Design Innovation (Middlesbrough), and the Northumberland National Park Authority for their support. Individual footage credits for Chimera: John Daum and Gary Gorbsky, Alexey Khodjakov, Susana Abreu Ribeiro, Shoichiro Tsukita and Yuko Mimori-Kiyosue.
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Interference
A quick update on the progression of ideas for the Triparks residency, more information on the blog.
I have been exploring the similarities between the body and the landscape, looking at thresholds and boundaries in particular. I am interested in the idea of the landscape as a
timeless wilderness and the body's transience within this landscape. Viewing the body as a viral agent, attempting to infect, affect, manipulate or assert control over the landscape. I have also been thinking about ideas of isolation and (personal) space, with areas of the national park being amongst the most remote in England.
With the video work I want to locate some of the most remote areas of the park and shoot some footage there. I want to capture some really slow 360 degree panoramic landscape shots, so you can hardly notice the landscape moving or changing. I might film in HD as the landscape itself is so finely detailed. Alongside this I want to capture or sample scientific footage of the body, both internal and external, perhaps looking at bruising, fingerprints, sperm, viruses. What I plan to do is introduce these bodily elements into the landscape in various ways as if they are faults in the film - lens flares, distortions or interruptions, quite pronounced but
abstract.
I have been exploring the similarities between the body and the landscape, looking at thresholds and boundaries in particular. I am interested in the idea of the landscape as a
timeless wilderness and the body's transience within this landscape. Viewing the body as a viral agent, attempting to infect, affect, manipulate or assert control over the landscape. I have also been thinking about ideas of isolation and (personal) space, with areas of the national park being amongst the most remote in England.
With the video work I want to locate some of the most remote areas of the park and shoot some footage there. I want to capture some really slow 360 degree panoramic landscape shots, so you can hardly notice the landscape moving or changing. I might film in HD as the landscape itself is so finely detailed. Alongside this I want to capture or sample scientific footage of the body, both internal and external, perhaps looking at bruising, fingerprints, sperm, viruses. What I plan to do is introduce these bodily elements into the landscape in various ways as if they are faults in the film - lens flares, distortions or interruptions, quite pronounced but
abstract.
Monday, 16 June 2008
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Viral Portrait
Viral Portrait (manipulated digital image, 2008)
This is the first image produced from a body of works entitled Dark Matter. The works incorporate digitally manipulated external bodily features re-appropriated to create fictional micro/macro organisms. Using medical points of reference to create a visual distraction from the unnatural construction of the image. The images in the series are based around studies of viruses, bacteria and nano agents, things which are invisible to the naked eye, so small that they are almost incomprehensible. Organisms which are specifically engineered, either by nature or by man to infect or heal, damage or repair at a cellular level.
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