Steve Frey's Sponge replication theory

[Steve Frey]

Part 2

Sponges Get Respect

A distinguishing feature of the sponge's anatomy is its lack of internal organs. Everything that happens in a sponge--eating, breathing, moving, reproducing--happens at the cellular level. Sponges were once thought to be colonies of independent one-celled animals rather than single animals of many pieces, but no longer. "A sponge is an individual," says Leys. "It's made up of cells that are not yet really well understood." Like clams and other sedentary sea animals, most sponges are filter feeders. Their bodies are usually riddled with chambers and canals lined with cells that have tail-like structures called flagella. "These things whip their flagella and develop a low pressure, which pulls water through," says Leys. These cells also do the eating, a filter mesh on each sifting out tiny food particles. Other, free-ranging cells spread nutrients throughout the sponge, functioning something like a bloodstream. For that matter, the canal system itself acts in some ways like a circulatory system. Various cells also absorb oxygen from the passing stream. And still other specialized cells do jobs that might be performed by muscles in other animals, contracting or opening up to control the sizes of the outer pores and of the typical sponge's large central cavity. As a pump, a sponge is an amazingly efficient bit of bioengineering. In 24 hours, a large wool sponge can pump several hundred gallons of water through its filtration system. The sponge ejects the processed water, now containing waste, from its central cavity. Though sponges lack reproductive organs, they create offspring both asexually and sexually. In the former case, an extremity breaks off and, after adhering to a hard surface, keeps growing into a fully formed sponge. In the latter case, certain cells apparently transform into egg- or sperm-producing units. Precisely how remains a bit murky. A single sponge may produce both sperm and eggs, though probably not at the same time. When released, sperm are carried by water currents to an egg- containing sponge. Larvae later break loose from the parent, paddle to a nearby surface, propelled by hairlike cilia, and settle down to grow. And in some cases grow and grow: Some elephant-ear sponges are large enough to fill an average bedroom. A sponge's growth occurs at a leisurely pace, so big sponges are old sponges. They are, in fact, among the longest- lived of all animals. "In the genus I'm looking at," says Leys, referring to a stovepipe-shaped sponge called Rhabdocalyptus found off the coast of Vancouver Island, "the big guys might be 200 years old, or maybe 300, 400 or 500. They're fairly monstrous; they can be as big as you or I." Sponges are old in evolutionary terms as well. When they first appeared, the only other multi-celled life-forms were plants. "Of the sponges living today, the most ancient that we know is probably Geodia, which is approximately 700 million years old," says molecular biologist Werner Muller of the University of Mainz in Germany. Muller uses genetic analysis of modern sponges to trace their likely lineage. He calls Geodia--a pinkish, cake-shaped creature with spicules that fan out like rudimentary armor--"a kind of living fossil." Despite their antiquity and their simple body plan, sponges have many of the makings of higher animals. "We discovered in the past four years that sponges contain all the molecules typical of later multi-celled animals," explains Muller. Also, like higher animals, sponges can pick up and move. Using time-lapse photography, biologist Calhoun Bond at Greensboro College in North Carolina has discovered so far that 10 species have the ability to crawl. "Many, many cells will crawl together so that the whole margin of the sponge is moving," he says. Top speed for a sponge? A few millimeters a day. As it creeps, the creature rearranges its shape and internal structure, cell by cell. Spongiologists, being patient types, had noticed this cellular motion before, but most had assumed the sponge was simply growing new tissue, perhaps forming asexual buds. "There was still resistance to the idea of sponge locomotion until people saw my films, which just blew them away," Bond says. "Of course, I did speed it up 1,200 times." Locomotion offers several advantages to a sponge. It helps it compete with corals and other encrusting animals. "If a coral wants to move into an open space, it has to grow new polyps; all a sponge has to do is ooze its way over," says Bond. Another handy use of the crawling- cell trick is to repair injuries, he adds: "Wounded sponges just rearrange themselves. Sheets of cells moving together can close a wound in a matter of days." This is also why sponge tissue can survive being forced through silk or cheesecloth. Cells that remain intact will move around independently until they find and join up with other, similar cells, forming pancakelike clusters. Some then continue to grow. A sponge's predators include certain fish and shellfish but not as many as you might expect, considering what a tempting meal a soft, fleshy sponge appears to be. In fact, biologists have long observed fish and crabs avoiding certain sponges. "If you take a little piece of living sponge and pop it into an aquarium in which you've got fish, the fish tend to avoid it," says University of Queensland chemist Garson, who specializes in the biochemistry of Great Barrier Reef sponges. "If you put it in a tank with a sea slug, the sea slug may try to crawl out of the tank." The reason is that sponges, unable to hide from predators, keep them at bay by exuding noxious chemicals instead. The secretions may also help the sponge in turf battles with competitors and aid in keeping its own body free of harmful parasites. Medical researchers are now trying to understand the workings of these chemicals. Cell-killing secretions from sponges and other sedentary sea creatures, notably sea squirts and sea fans, are already being tested as anti-cancer and anti-viral treatments. They may soon be used, too, to keep protein deposits from building up on implants like pacemakers and catheters. "These molecules that sponges make are highly complex, both in their size and in their three- dimensional shape," says Garson. Not all marine animals find sponges to be inhospitable neighbors. The maze of small channels honeycombing a sponge sometimes resembles teeming aquaria. Tiny shrimp, polyps, shellfish and fish may pass their entire lives inside a sponge, feeding from the endless water flow while concealed from predators, apparently without harming their host. In one unusual arrangement, the sponge crab tears off a bit of sponge tissue and holds it against its hairy back until the remnant becomes fixed in place. In time, it grows larger and larger. Other creatures move in. For the crab, the advantage of hauling this ever-growing bio-appendage around is concealment, while the sponge gets a free ride and new feeding grounds. Sponges, passive though they seem from a distance, are proving capable not only of moving (albeit slowly) and eating meat (in very small bites, to be sure) but also of sending nervelike signals. In the mid-1970s divers noticed that when they swam close to glass sponges the sponges stopped pumping. "They would completely shut down," says Sally Leys. "But how could all the flagellated chambers stop beating at the same time? This seemed highly unusual, because sponges aren't supposed to have any ability to behave. They have no nerves." In addition to the huge Rhabdocalyptus, Leys has been studying the elegant, billowy cloud sponge, also found off the coast of Vancouver Island. Both are glass sponges, which often are striking in appearance, with latticework cylinders or funnels. Unlike other sponges, they consist mostly of a single enormous cell with countless nuclei that is stretched over the sponge's skeleton. "It's like an amoeba that someone pulled out like chewing gum in lots of different directions," Leys says. No cell membranes divide the interior to act as barriers. "It's just one continuous cytoplasm from one end of the sponge to the other." Such cells are not unusual in the animal world--the axon of the giant squid is a well-studied example. So are our own muscle cells. What is unusual is for an entire adult animal to be virtually a single cell with many nuclei. Leys and University of Victoria biologist George Mackie have found evidence of electrical signals moving along the overall cell membrane. The signals likely explain the way a disturbance at one end of a glass sponge--silt stirred up by a diver, for example--can cause a fast shutdown throughout its body. "Because it's all one cell, when you touch one end, you're touching the whole animal," Leys says. "These electrical signals are the sponge solution to nerves, because sponges evolved before animals had nervous systems." Or did they? Molecular biologist Muller recently found genes and proteins in sponges that are very similar to parts of mammals' nervous systems--more evidence that sponges likely will confound researchers for a long time to come.

Sponges Get Respect - page 2 | International Wildlife

[Kritters]

Steve,

I'm going to have to put this fascinating information aside to read after work. I really look forward to it.

Thanks for answering my question. There really is so much to

ABSORB!

Kritts

[Steve Frey]

Is this just another coincidence or is it further evidence that the sponge is responsible for producing nematodes, fruit flies, and slime molds. Time after time I find correlations supporting this idea.

Transfusion science

What's the point of Rh antigens!

The Rh blood group system, consisting as it does of at least 45 red cell antigens, is the most polymorphic of human blood group systems. The relatively high immunogenicity and ubiquity of a few Rh antigens (most notably the RhD antigen) determines the clinical relevance of the Rh blood group system for both blood transfusion and the pathologies associated with immune red cell destruction such as haemolytic disease of the newborn and immune heamolytic anaemia. Although it's just over 60 years since the Rh blood group system was first identified, and research over the past ten years has revealed much about the genetics and molecular structure of Rh proteins, their function remains a mystery. Now a series of elegant experiments conducted by French and Belgian researchers suggests a physiological role for Rh proteins of interest to those working in clinical biochemistry. It seems that Rh proteins are not present on the surface of red cells simply to complicate the working life of blood transfusionists!.................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ....Research over the past five years has demonstrated that RhD, RhCe, and RhAG belong to a much larger family of structurally very similar proteins with common gene ancestry. RhAG-like proteins have been discovered in a wide range of invertebrate species including slime mold, sponge, nematode and fruit fly

IBMS - The Institute of Biomedical Science

[Katinka]

Steve, do you have any microscopical pictures to confirm your theory? Have you set up any cultures of human samples? And if yes, have you seen if this sponge grows/replicates? and resembles anything we have seen in the past according to the scientists/doctors/researchers working on this disease?

Or is this just blank, pure theory written down what you think the cause might be?

I would really like to see some validation.

Kat

[Steve Frey]

Originally Posted by Katinka

Steve, do you have any microscopical pictures to confirm your theory? Have you set up any cultures of human samples? And if yes, have you seen if this sponge grows/replicates? and resembles anything we have seen in the past according to the scientists/doctors/researchers working on this disease?

Or is this just blank, pure theory written down what you think the cause might be?

I would really like to see some validation.

Kat

Well Katinka, if you looked at ANYTHING I've posted you would see nothing but validation, the only factor of the theory where I have used logical conjecture is the idea that the sponge is capable of translating the DNA of other organisms and thus can create entities that mimic or resemble other organisms, this idea is strongly supported by Scientific facts and findings from all over the world and throughout historical records.

Granted the theory is complex, but then so is morgellons. I'm not saying that the avenues you guys investigate are necessarily incorrect and don't have anything to do with morgellons because in some cases I agree that the organism your looking at is likely involved but that particular organism is one that has been produced by the sponge as an imitation of the original.

When confronting the task of explaining morgellons one cannot simply ignore pieces of the puzzle that logic suggests don't belong, all of the pieces need to fit and this task simply cannot be fulfilled if one is working within the confines of mainstream Scientific beliefs. With the species of fungi or the BV that you guys have identified as the possible origin of morgellons how do you go about explaining the arthropods? How does BV explain their presence? How does BV explain the fibers?

If you fully understood exactly what I am proposing then you would realize that a still image of anything means absolutely nothing, but still there are plenty of images that support the theory but they're not necessarily going to be of sponges, I will put something together for you.

[Katinka]

Originally Posted by Steve Frey

Well Katinka, if you looked at ANYTHING I've posted you would see nothing but validation, the only factor of the theory where I have used logical conjecture is the idea that the sponge is capable of translating the DNA of other organisms and thus can create entities that mimic or resemble other organisms, this idea is strongly supported by Scientific facts and findings from all over the world and throughout historical records.

Granted the theory is complex, but then so is morgellons. I'm not saying that the avenues you guys investigate are necessarily incorrect and don't have anything to do with morgellons because in some cases I agree that the organism your looking at is likely involved but that particular organism is one that has been produced by the sponge as an imitation of the original.

When confronting the task of explaining morgellons one cannot simply ignore pieces of the puzzle that logic suggests don't belong, all of the pieces need to fit and this task simply cannot be fulfilled if one is working within the confines of mainstream Scientific beliefs. With the species of fungi or the BV that you guys have identified as the possible origin of morgellons how do you go about explaining the arthropods? How does BV explain their presence? How does BV explain the fibers?

If you fully understood exactly what I am proposing then you would realize that a still image of anything means absolutely nothing, but still there are plenty of images that support the theory but they're not necessarily going to be of sponges, I will put something together for you.

Steve, so you think the sponge mimicked the fungus gnat?
And to your other questions I would suggest you look over at Kammy's blog..she explains it all. If you watch the video of the fungus gnat larvae you can see how it defecates and reproduces the capsids. Watch it eating it's coccoon and also how it defecates and spits the fibers!

And to the images. Is there any one out there that shows a mimic in any form? And does it show any similarity to Morgs? and if yes...what kind? worms, flies, gnats, moths, nematodes..seeds..? And how do you explain the black specks? What do you think they are? How do YOU explain the fibers? and the different colors?

Thanks for your reply.

Kat

[Kritters]

I'm guessing you guys can work together on this. I look forward to it.

Kritts

[Steve Frey]

Originally Posted by Katinka

Steve, so you think the sponge mimicked the fungus gnat?
And to your other questions I would suggest you look over at Kammy's blog..she explains it all. If you watch the video of the fungus gnat larvae you can see how it defecates and reproduces the capsids. Watch it eating it's coccoon and also how it defecates and spits the fibers!

And to the images. Is there any one out there that shows a mimic in any form? And does it show any similarity to Morgs? and if yes...what kind? worms, flies, gnats, moths, nematodes..seeds..? And how do you explain the black specks? What do you think they are? How do YOU explain the fibers? and the different colors?

Thanks for your reply.

Kat

Kat let me start by apologizing to you and Kammy for going off the way I did, as you might have noticed I removed those posts. Now this apology does not mean that I have no reason to be upset with the two of you, because I still am, not that this should matter to you, but now that I have your attention I would like to say a few things.

See a few months ago I decided to stop in here and see what was going on when I came upon you and Kammy conferring back and forth about your research. Well I was a bit impressed with what you guys were studying at that time because I agreed with you that these organisms were, albeit indirectly, involved. Of course my meaning of the worde indirectly is that these organisms were involved via the sponge.

I replied to the thread with the intent to begin a dialog to discuss my thoughts on the subject and it was totally ignored and completely buried shortly thereafter. Oh Kammy did happen to notice after a while that I had posted a reply but simply ignored everything that I had said and instead threw questions at me hoping I could assist in further development of the theory you guys were working on. There is little doubt in my mind that had the two you been willing to listen to someone besides yourselves you would have realized that I could have contributed significantly to the thread even if only to strengthen your own theory.

What I just described to you is standard protocol for the two of you and if you don't realize that then it's time to step back and take a look for yourself.

Enough said, now the facts.

Steve, so you think the sponge mimicked the fungus gnat?

Katinka the fungus gnat is the epitome of a sponge produced organism and here's why.

Needless to say the sponge theory is what you might call radical, I'll be the first to admit that, but only radical in the sense that we have never confronted an organism with the abilities the theory dictates. It is paramount that one fully understand what the theory makes possible in order to understand it's implications.

The idea that an organism possesses the ability to copy and store the DNA of another organism is not in itself that big of a deal. Now if this same organism has the ability to make use of this DNA by translating it into the structure that it represents then what we have might be considered "God-like", I sometimes think of it as Frankenstein. Let's take a close look at the New Zealand fungus gnat shall we.

First of all, some consider it to be one of the most bizarre creatures on the planet, interesting that the sponge is also in this very small group of "most interesting creatures".

It has a four stage life cycle which I have found to be typical with many other suspected imitations

Adults are rarely seen, again a trait that seems to show up a lot with suspected imitations.

In walks Dr Frankenstein and low and behold this gnat HAS NO MOUTH for it to feed, so guess what, without a mouth they die. God did not make a creature that is unable to feed, it's certainly not "intelligent design", and surely no one believes an organism without a mouth could have evolved, never in a billion years. This gnat is a frankenstein and was produced by an organism with the ability to fully manipulate the building blocks of life restricted only by the library of genetic code it has collected.

This gnat glows in the dark. "This bioluminescence is internal, and is brought about by chemical reactions that occur in a special organ located at the end of the excretory tube. These chemicals include luciferin, which is a waste product that the gnat produces; ATP (adenosine triphosphate) , which is a molecule that even we rely on to keep us alive; and oxygen."

Luciferin and adenosine triphosphate are both produced by the sponge, just google it and you will see.

And finally, there are a considerable number of genes shared between the sponge and some organisms in the Diptera Phylum, I'll follow up on this more latter.

this is all I can answer at this time because it's very late and I have to work tomorrow.

[Katinka]

Steve, thanks for your reply..sounds interesting to me, just need a little time to 'digest' it. I haven't followed your theory as I've not been over to LB very often, I only knew your member name and that you had a sponge theory..that's all. As you know, I've been working with Kammy for months now on our theory and I think we really have come to sound conclusions. It took us a long way to get there, but we finally made it. Together with Jo, who is also researching/working on fungus gnats and supporting us, I personally think we are on the right track and I honor Kammy for her terrific work she has done! She is the MAIN contributor to our theory and I wish to thank her with all of my heart! I really hope, for ALL of us, that her/mine work will lead to further investigations in the scientific field! WE need help! soon! Many, many people all over the world are infected with this horrible, life consuming disease and it's a matter of time now to find a treatment FAST!
As she has pointed out, these fungus gnats are everywhere. Many people are reporting about this. They are intruding our homes, our bodies, our environment and if you read what she says and according to her research and observations she has made, they have the capability to reproduce very quickly! We need to be aware of that and take care of us and our beloved ones! I don't want to scare anyone out here, but us Morgies have sort of a 'burden' to carry..that's how I feel..because we know what's happening and what will happen in the future! We have been struggling, discussing, researching, working day and night to find answers as we know TIME is the most important factor.

Steve, I wasn't aware of your post..I must have missed it..sorry..I was always wondering where that accusation came from about not replying..now I know..as I personally try to answer any post directed to me. The only explanation I have right now is...that it must have been 'lost' in our intensive research/working time the last few weeks...mea culpa!

I cannot and will not speak for Kammy, but what you did with putting out her personal matters was WRONG and absolutely needless! You know exactly that in order to find someone's address..well...I will not mention it here...it's an easy thing to do..and there you have it.
You have threatened her life and her home!! and I will personally call YOU responsible in any case of harm to her!

If it was your feelings, that we neglected you or your post that has lead to this reaction then you went way to FAR! Arguments about theories between members should never go to a point where personal matter/affairs/issues are put out in public!..especially in these times we are living in!

I have pointed this out so many times, we need to stick together, help, support eachother. Nobody 'out there' is helping us...we are suffering day after day..many of us are terribly sick..losing their homes, friends, family! It cannot go on like this, with these attacks and insults toward each other! I appeal to all here who are/were involved.. for the sake of us, our children, grandchildren..please stop!!

Anyway Steve, thanks for your time and effort! Keep on with your great research!

Kat

[tcmgpt13]

And the fungus gnat is theory number? _____

How exactly do deep sea ocean fish contain fungus gnats?