SciDev.Net
Science and Development Network
News, views and information about science, technology and the developing world
Definitions
A list of terms related to Bird flu.
Healthcare poses a complex challenge for developing countries, interweaving problems of science, health and development.
R
Reagents
A substance used in a chemical reaction to detect, measure or produce other substances.
Reassortment
Refers to the exchange of genetic information between two organisms, such as two influenza viruses. A type of recombination.
Reassortment
Refers to the exchange of genetic information between two organisms, such as two influenza viruses. A type of recombination.
Recombinant vaccine
A type of vaccine that contains a genetically modified pathogen. For instance, researchers in the United States have made an experimental flu vaccine from an adenovirus that was modified to include a piece of the H5N1 virus.
Recombination
Refers to the exchange of genetic information between two organisms. In the context of laboratory research, recombination is one way of genetically engineering an organism (see recombinant vaccine).
Recombination
Refers to the exchange of genetic information between two organisms. In the context of laboratory research, recombination is one way of genetically engineering an organism (see recombinant vaccine).
Relenza
see Zanamivir
Relenza
see Zanamivir
Replicate
To copy. Once they have infected cells, viruses replicate, producing multiple copies of themselves which then go on to infect more cells.
Resistance
A pathogen is said to be resistant to a drug when the drug has no effect on it. Pathogens can evolve to become resistant to a drug through repeated exposure to it. In October 2005, researchers said they had found a strain of H5N1 that was resistant to oseltamivir (see Tamiflu-resistant bird flu found in Vietnam).
Rimantadine
A drug used to treat and, in rare cases, prevent influenza A. Rimantadine's structure is similar to that of amantadine. It is sold under the brand name Flumadine, manufactured by Forest Pharmaceuticals, and was approved by the US Food and Drug Association in 1994.
RNA
A form of genetic material related to DNA. Unlike DNA, RNA is single-stranded. It acts as a go-between for DNA and the proteins it encodes for. 'RNA' stands for 'ribonucleic acid'.
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