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

Angiosperm, What is morphological nature of angiosperm

What is morphological nature of angiosperm

Ecology.., write the charecteristics of lake ecosystem

write the charecteristics of lake ecosystem

Estrous cycle - reproduction, Normal 0 false false false ...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

What treatment should be used for cardiac tamponade, Q. What Treatment shou...

Q. What Treatment should be used for cardiac tamponade? Percutaneous Pericardiocentesis Cardiac tamponade is an acute emergency and percutaneous pericardiocentesis must b

The salt concentration is higher than that of acid, Which of the following ...

Which of the following statements about buffers is true? Select one: a. A buffer composed of a weak acid of pKa = 5 is stronger at pH 4 than at pH 6. b. At pH values lower

Using autonomous transactions, Using Autonomous Transactions   The tra...

Using Autonomous Transactions   The transaction is a sequence of SQL statements that does a logical unit of work. Frequently, one transaction starts the other. In several appl

Growth and development of plants, Growth and Development of Plants You...

Growth and Development of Plants You must have seen beautiful plants growing in pots in a garden. The plant grows while the pot does not. As a rule living things grow, but non

Stds, define stds give 5 examples of stds give signs, symptoms, treatment a...

define stds give 5 examples of stds give signs, symptoms, treatment and prevention of each example

Digestive system, identify structural modifiactions of the stomach and smal...

identify structural modifiactions of the stomach and small intestine walls that enhance the digestive processes in these regions

Function of adenosine in consciousness, Q. Function of Adenosine in conscio...

Q. Function of Adenosine in consciousness? The adenosine plays a major role in inducing sleep. Injections of adenosine promote sleep and decrease wakefulness. Conversely, adeno

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