Twilliams scientific/social blog

[06/04, 9:41 pm] ‪+234 813 872 7278‬: *Viral Vectors* All viruses attack their hosts and introduce their genetic material into the host cell as part of their replication cycle. This genetic material contains basic 'instructions' of how to produce more copies of these viruses, using the body's normal production machinery to serve the needs of the virus. The host cell will carry out these instructions and produce additional copies of the virus, leading to more and more cells becoming infected. Some types of viruses actually physically insert their genes into the host's genome. This incorporates the genes of that virus among the genes of the host cell for the life span of that cell. Viruses like this could be used as vehicles to carry 'good' genes into a human cell. First, a scientist would remove the genes in the virus that cause disease. Then replace those genes with genes encoding the desired effect (for instance, insulin production in the case of diabet...

[*Content* Introduction to Gene Therapy History of Gene Therapy Gene Editing DNA Double Stranded Break (DSB) Mechanisms and Site-specific Double Stranded Breaks zinc Finger Nucleases Application of Zinc Finger Nucleases Potential Side Effects References [‪*What is Gene Therapy* Gene therapy is an experimental treatment that involves introducing genetic material into a person’s cells to fight or prevent disease. Researchers are studying gene therapy for a number of diseases, such as (1) severe combined immuno-deficiencies (2) hemophilia (3) Parkinson's disease (4) cancer and (5) even HIV, through a number of different approaches. A gene can be delivered to a cell using a carrier known as a “vector” and the most common types of vectors used in gene therapy are viruses. The viruses used in gene therapy are altered to make them safe, although some risks still exist with gene therapy. While the technology is still in its infancy, it has been used with some success. It is a tec...