Bats may be holding 'keys' to live long

(centuries) - For centuries, bats have been vilified no more than a disease-carrying creature, sucking the blood of the night. However, Australian researchers have found that one day bats can help humans get the key to the secret of immunity and longevity.

Bat Pack is a group of Australian scientists who have spent many years collaborating with a global network of bat research specialists to elucidate the genome of species: black flying foxes, Australian bats and species. bat Myotis David, originated from China.

Their research has shown that the evolution of bat's flight might be the cause for this mammal to develop a strong immune system.

Bats hold the key to life long?

"Flying is a very active activity, causing toxic byproducts, and when bats have learned to fly by necessity, they have to learn how to deal with toxins, and we are dealing with them. Exporting that has had a whole spread effect, " said Dr. Chris Cowled, a researcher.

"The vast majority of new human diseases, about three-quarters of them, are of animal origin, and among these, bat diseases are the most deadly," Cowled said. "However, bats have no sign of disease, meaning that something special must happen to their immune system."

After the bat genome was sequenced, the Bat Pack began to compare the genetic structure of other mammals (including humans) to see the similarities and differences that lie in where.

Perhaps, according to Dr. Cowled, further study of the bat's immune system could one day allow scientists to prevent cancer as well as the spread of common viruses from species. Bats, including: Ebola and SARS virus.

But bats are not immune to all diseases. White nose syndrome is a disease caused by a fungus that kills millions of bats belonging to at least seven different species of North America. Although there is no cure, some bat populations have begun to rise again, signaling that animals may have begun to develop an immunity to the disease.