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

Describe alternation of generations, Describe Alternation of Generations? ...

Describe Alternation of Generations? Alternation of Generations :  In meiosis, four haploid daughter cells are formed from one diploid mother cell. The life cycles of sexuall

Explain sexually-transmitted diseases, Sexually-transmitted diseases M...

Sexually-transmitted diseases Many travelers have new sexual contacts during their journeys and are at increased risk for acquiring sexually transmitted diseases including HIV

Explain solid salt and saturated aqueous solution, Explain solid salt and s...

Explain solid salt and saturated aqueous solution? In this example, the equilibrium system consists of crystalline PbCl 2 and an aqueous phase containing the species H 2 O, P

Group selection, The effect of natural selection on colonies or population ...

The effect of natural selection on colonies or population favouring one group in preference to other may be referred to as group selection. A group can be the smallest collection o

#title, WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF CELL COAT

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF CELL COAT

Future challenges of management of renewable resources, Define Future chall...

Define Future challenges of management of renewable resources?   In response to past shortcomings in a few fisheries management, and to dealing with other conservation goals

Theory of evolution and its rival theories, what is the problem that the th...

what is the problem that the theory of evolution and its rival theories try to solve?

Which does not contain a guanidinium group, Which of the following does NOT...

Which of the following does NOT contain a guanidinium group Select one: a. Urea b. arginine c. creatine d. guanidinium ion

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