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From T. MADHAVAN, M.Sc., M.L.I.S., M.Ed., M.Phil., P.G.D.C.A., Lecturer in Zoology.. EXIT

Gene therapy is an novel idea of therapeutic device using the techniques

of cloning and recombinant DNA technology.

Gene therapy: Types

Somatic cell gene therapy,

Germ line cell gene therapy.Both may be employed for treating the inherited diseases.

From T. MADHAVAN, M.Sc., M.L.I.S., M.Ed., M.Phil., P.G.D.C.A., Lecturer in Zoology.. EXIT

Somatic cell gene therapy

The patient’s cells are taken from blood / bone morrow / skin and brain.

- treated through the Genetic engineering techniques and

- replaced to the patient.

This type of treatment could care diseases caused by single gene mutation.

From T. MADHAVAN, M.Sc., M.L.I.S., M.Ed., M.Phil., P.G.D.C.A., Lecturer in Zoology.. EXIT

Retroviruses are employed as carriers of the genes.

Their genetic material, RNA is copied into DNA.

To produce effective vectors certain essential genes are spliced out from the viruses.

This will render the virus harmless and allow space for the therapeutic genes to be inserted.

Somatic cell gene therapySomatic cell gene therapy

From T. MADHAVAN, M.Sc., M.L.I.S., M.Ed., M.Phil., P.G.D.C.A., Lecturer in Zoology.. EXIT

Millions of copies of genes are required for

somatic cell gene therapy.

To carry them, the vectors should also be

multiplied in equal numbers.

Such enormous copies of virus and the vectors

are made using helper virus.

The integrated vector and the cloned gene is

used somatic cell gene therapy.

This somatic cell gene therapy has been

successful in animals, so far.

Somatic cell gene therapy

From T. MADHAVAN, M.Sc., M.L.I.S., M.Ed., M.Phil., P.G.D.C.A., Lecturer in Zoology.. EXIT

Gene insertion

From T. MADHAVAN, M.Sc., M.L.I.S., M.Ed., M.Phil., P.G.D.C.A., Lecturer in Zoology.. EXIT

Germ Line cell gene therapy

This gene therapy is extended to germ line

cells in order to prevent the genetic defects

being inherited to children.

DNA is injected into the nucei of single celled

embryos of cows, mice and sheep.

The DNA may get integrated into the

chromosomes.

The integrated DNA or the new genes can

direct the synthesis of new proteins into

animals which develop from these embryos.

From T. MADHAVAN, M.Sc., M.L.I.S., M.Ed., M.Phil., P.G.D.C.A., Lecturer in Zoology.. EXIT

Germ Line cell gene therapy

This Germ line therapy in human is

feasible, at any time, since eggs,

sperms and single celled embryos can

be collected and stored by deep

freezing using liquid nitrogen.

In vitro fertilization also favour the

above therapy.

However , the therapy is still underway.

End.

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