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

Show the paleobotanical evidence, Q. Show the Paleobotanical Evidence? ...

Q. Show the Paleobotanical Evidence? Paleobotany deals with the study of fossil records of plants and animals. New techniques and approaches to the study of fossil flowering pl

Is reproduction in sponges asexual or sexual, Q. Is reproduction in sponges...

Q. Is reproduction in sponges asexual or sexual? Reproduction in sponges can be asexual by budding, fragmentation or gemmation (regeneration) or sexual with larval stage a cili

Biological diversity of an ecosystem, Q. Is monoculture a system that contr...

Q. Is monoculture a system that contributes to great biological diversity of an ecosystem? The Monoculture implies that in a large area a single crop (only one species of plant

Explain about gestational diabetes mellitus, Q. Explain about Gestational D...

Q. Explain about Gestational Diabetes Mellitus ? During pregnancy, a woman who does not have a history of diabetes, may develop high blood glucose or sugar. This is GDM. The di

Explain the physiology of lactation, Explain the Physiology of Lactation? ...

Explain the Physiology of Lactation? Lactogenesis is the onset of copious milk secretion around parturition, triggered by a fall in plasma progesterone levels. Although some co

Nitrogen cycle, Nitrogen Cycle The nitrogen is an essential constituen...

Nitrogen Cycle The nitrogen is an essential constituent of protein - the building block of all living cells. It is also a major constituent of the atmosphere (79 per cent). Al

What are the three main signs of diabetes, What are the three main signs of...

What are the three main signs of diabetes? The three main signs of diabetes mellitus are called as the diabetic triad: polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia. Polyuria is the e

Explain the food irradiation - method of food preservation, Explain the Foo...

Explain the Food Irradiation - method of food preservation? Food irradiation is another sterilizing technique in which the foods are bombarded by high-energy rays called gamma

State the series of stimuli, State the series of stimuli ERPs a series ...

State the series of stimuli ERPs a series of stimuli such as tones or light flashes are presented to the participant, and the raw EEG for a precise one or two second period fol

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