Authors: Czech Republic) NATO Advanced Research Workshop on a New Model for Analyzing Antimicrobial Peptides with Biomedical Applications (2001 : Prague, Alain Beschin, Martin Bilej
This book is aimed at two audiences. First, it will present evidence for the earthworm's immune system. Second, the results strongly suggest that certain molecules of the earthworm's immune system may be exploited as natural antibiotics-thus the
biomedical applications. There are two advantages for using earthworms. First, they are an inexpensive, non-controversial invertebrate model. Second, in contrast to other invertebrates (e.g. Drosophila,
C elegans) they are essential for maintaining the integrity of soil. Earthworms have a highly effective immune system since cancer cannot be induced in them nor does it seem to occur in natural populations. Cytotoxicity of cancer cells has been…
