DNA repair

Did you Know???

There is a microbe that grows in the Dead Sea that is teaching scientists about the art of DNA repair.

Came across this article - Found it very interesting!!!

This microbe, called Halobacterium, may hold the key to protecting astronauts from one of the greatest threats they would face during a mission to Mars:  Space Radiation.  The harsh radiation of interplanetary space can penetrate astonauts' bodies, damaging the DNA in their cells, which can cause cancer and other illnesses.  DNA damage is also behind cancers that people suffer here on Earth.

Halobacterium appears to be a master of the complex art of DNA repair.  This mastery is what scientists want to learn from.

" We have completely fragmented their DNA.  I mean we have completely destroyed it by bombarding it with radiation.  And they can reassemble their entire chromosome and put it back in to working order within several hours"  says Adrienne Kish, member of the research group studying Halobacterium at the University of Maryland.

Being a virtuoso at repairing damaged DNA makes Halobacterium one hardy little microbe:  in experiments by Maryland research group, Halobacterium has survived normally-lethal doses of ultraviolet Radiation (UV), extreme dryness, and even the vacuum of space.

But why is Halobacterium such a tenacious survivor?  What caused it to evolve such dexterous DNA repair mechanisms?  And how do those mechanisms work?

Jocelyne DiRuggiero, leader of the Maryland research group, has been exploring these question for the last five years.  She believes the answer stems form the fact that Halobacterium naturally lives in some rater inhospitable places:  ultra-salty bodies of water such as the DEAD SEA.

Most sea live would quickly shrivel up and die in the Dead Sea's briny water, which is 10 times saltier than normal seawater.  The extreme saltiness damages an organism's cells, and especially the DNA inside those cells.  This happens because DNA molecules are accustomed to being surrounded by a dense swarm of water molecules, and DNA actually depends on the influence of these water molecules to keep its double-helix structures intact and to avoid damage.  but in ultra-salty waters, the dissolved salt crowds out the water molecules.  Partially deprived of the contact with water they need, the long strands of DNA  suffer damage and even break, causing the cell to malfunction or die.

Evolving to cope with a salty lifestyle could explain why Halobacterium is so good at surviving radiation and other ravages.

Halobacterium is something of a "Renaissance bug".  It dabbles in a bit of everything.  This genome of only 2400 genes contains several distinct sets of DNA-repair mechanisms.  Some of these sets of tools are like the DNA-repair tools found in plants and animals, other sets are more like those of bacteria, and still others are characteristic of a lesser-known group of lice called "Archaea"  (the group that Halobacterium belongs to).  Halobacterium has them all.
Beyond even that, Halobacterium has a few novel DNA-repair mechanisms that no one has ever seen before!!!

Wow, pretty amazing!!!


Extracts taken from:  First Science.com
6 January 2001
By Patrick L Barry.

Mens Range

Jericho Men

Jericho offers an exceptional, premium quality skin care product line specifically formulated for men.

Dead Sea minerals and the most beneficial and effective active ingredients available, have been combined with pure plant extracts, essential oils, and vitamins to work in synergy with a man's skin to provide optimum visible results.

JM Aftershave Balm

Rich in Dead Sea minerals, JM Aftershave balm soothes razor burns and leaves the skin smooth, supple and well protected.

JM Facial Firming Cream

Specially designed for men, this mineral-rich cream helps diminish fine lines and wrinkles, discolouration, scarring, pore size and rough or uneven skin texture.  Contains Grape and Almond oils that moisturise the skin.

JM Facial Scrub

A unique foaming gel that cleanse and moisturises dry skin.  Rich in Dead Sea minerals, this products also contains Vitamin C that gives the skin a radiant look and chamomile extracts that soften and calms the skin.

Foaming Facial Scrub

Jericho Foaming Facial Scrub

A unique foaming gel to clean and moisturise the skin.  Rich in Dead Sea minerals, this product also contains Vitamin C that gives the skin a radiant look and one of nature's most beautifying herbs Chamomile extract to soften and calm the skin.

Body and Mind

The Dead Sea Minerals affect both Body and Mind

The water of the Dead Sea contains 21+ life-essential minerals, Many of these minerals are found in no other sea or ocean.
This is how these minerals found in the Dead Sea affects you body.

Skin

• Draws out impurities in the skin
• Smooths itching, burning and bites
• Smooths and soften the skin
• Encourages skin to renew itself
• Help scars heal
• Restores moisture balance to the skin
• Sulphur eliminates toxins, increases blood circulation and purifies the skin
• Relieves skin disorder symptoms
• Prevent and relieve bacterial infections.

 

Muscles and Bones

• Relax tense, aching muscles and joints
• help relieve arthritis and rheumatism
• help relieve chronic lower back pain and sport injuries

 

Physiological

• Provide deep relaxation
• Help relieve stress and tension
• Promote restfulness
• Gives a feeling of well-being.

Jericho Body Butter

Jericho Body Butter

Nourish and soothe your body with Jericho Body butter, combining Shea Butter, Dead Sea minerals and Natural oils that soften and revitalise the skin.  This thick cream moistens rough skin and revives its elasticity without clogging pores.  Rich in Vitamins A and E, its ideal for treating dry skin, cracked elbows and knees, scars and dermatitis.

Its an amazing product especially when using it during the winter months when skin tends to get really dry.
Gently enough to even use as a daily moisturiser!!!!

With a soft velvety texture and gently scented fragrances this is a wonderful product.

Healing powers of the Dead Sea

The Healing Powers of the Dead Sea

Modern medical researches confirm that positive combination of the minerals and salts from the Dead Sea has healing properties for different diseases.

Many skin allergies may be helped by using Dead Sea minerals.  Among the medical problems found to be alleviated by these minerals are psoriasis, eczema and purulent rashes.  In addition to alleviation of such allergies, such affected skin often also show improvement in outer appearance and elasticity after treatment with Dead Sea Minerals.

Better blood circulation, metabolism and more relaxed nervous system are all supported by Dead Sea minerals.  Mud from the Dead Sea contains minerals that heal wounds, wake up hair root and eradicate dermatitis and dandruff.  The mud has even been credited with eliminating headaches and migraines.

Amazingly, these minerals have healing and comforting values for a host of medical conditions including arthritis, bone and cartilage inflammation, myelitis, neuritis, rheumatism, stress, fatigue and sleeplessness.

The minerals and salts found only in the Dead Sea can be combined in formulas that are positive, some say magical, in their healing properties.

Jericho Eye gel

Jericho Eye & Neck Gel

 

A sheer, light gel with active minerals from the Dead Sea to soothe and protect delicate eye area from dehydration and the signs of ageing.  For skin that looks and feels soft, smooth and youthful.

 

Fragrance free Jericho Eye Gel smoothes the wrinkles and delicate tissue around the eyes, moistening and protecting it from dryness.  Gentle enough to use all along the eye area as well as inside the eye!!!  Yes, that's true... Jericho Eye Gel can be used inside the eye... Because it is the same pH as the eye, Jericho Eye Gel can be used inside the eye to heal eye infections etc.

 

It contains delicate plant oils and oxygenating glyco-proteins.

 

This is really an amazing product.