Somatic and germline gene therapy, Biology

Assignment Help:

All the cells present in the body contain genes and an approach targeted to modulate the expression of genes is known as gene therapy. This novel approach has emerged by the end of 20th century and comes up with a promise of treating a large number of genetic disorders by ultimately modifying the gene expression (Jin et al, 2008). The two forms of gene therapy are somatic and germ line.

Somatic gene therapy: During this therapeutic approach, the genetic diseases are treated by inserting recombinant genes into non-reproductive or somatic cells. This kind of approach is limited to the patient and does not get transmitted to the future generations of. A normal copy of the malfunctioning gene is inserted into the mutant cells due to which an improvement in the disease phenotype is observed (Dorin, 1996). In the recent past, this technique has been found to be successful in case of familial hypercholesterolaemia and adenosine deaminase deficiency. For treating these disorders hepatocytes and T cells have been used for gene transfer respectively (Dorin, 1996). It has also shown significant success in case of cystic fibrosis and cancer. Various vehicles, like viral and non viral vectors help in the introduction of the genetic material into the mutated cells (Elias and Annas, N.D). This therapeutic approach is categorized into three sections:

  • ex vivo - The genetic engineering of the cell is done outside the body and finally the cells are returned to the body. (Ex: blood cells)
  • in situ - The cells of the affected tissues are directly transfected with vectors carrying genetic material. (Ex. Tissues of the respiratory tract)
  • in vivo - The vector is directly injected into the blood stream and this method is still in the developmental stages (Anderson, N.D).

However this approach produces short term results as the tissues die and get replaced with other cells.


Related Discussions:- Somatic and germline gene therapy

Horse diseases-equine influenza, Equine influenza Equine influenza is ...

Equine influenza Equine influenza is a highly contagious, epizootic disease, which affects equines of all age groups and is caused by influenza virus A/equine virus of family

Show water permeability of the luminal membranes, Healthy Person H takes a ...

Healthy Person H takes a new drug named ANTICAMPCOLLDUCT that blocks the production of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in collecting duct epithelial cells in response to vasopressin binding to V

Element required by higher plants, Element Required By Higher Plants T...

Element Required By Higher Plants Table shows the list of sixteen elements that fulfil the criteria of essentiality stated above, their approximate adequate concentration and

Explain the right ventricle from the pulmonary artery, What is the valve th...

What is the valve that separates the right ventricle from the pulmonary artery? Why is that valve significant? The valve that divides the right ventricle and the base of the p

Anticoagulation in prosthetic valves, Anticoagulation in Prosthetic Valves ...

Anticoagulation in Prosthetic Valves The usual anticoagulants used are: (I) Warfarin sodium, and (2) Acitrorn (coumarin derivative). In patients who had thromboembolism

Approaches to neuropsychological assessment, Approaches to Neuropsychologic...

Approaches to Neuropsychological Assessment Probably the most useful model of neuropsychological interpretation is described in Reitan and Wolfson's (1993) four approaches to a

Ions , how do i find an atomic structure

how do i find an atomic structure

Explain mixture in basic chemistry, Explain mixture in basic chemistry? ...

Explain mixture in basic chemistry? Mixtures :  Mixtures are produced by combining two or more substances. In contrast to the substances in compounds, the substances that com

Respiration , why should breathe faster after a hard work

why should breathe faster after a hard work

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd