Genetics.
Genetics is viewed as a promising technology in the future of medicine. By studying our genes, the fundamental blueprint of organisms, we could potentially develop a diverse array of therapies used to treat human disorders and critical diseases such as cancer. At present, pharmaceutical treatments by way of blockbuster drugs, or drugs developed as a one size fits all, are adopted as one of the more effective alternatives in medicine. This approach may change as advancements in genetics research increase our understanding of diseases at the molecular level and will potentially pave way for a more personalized options in curing patients.
An example of applied genetics is in gene therapy. Gene therapy is defined as the use of DNA as a pharmaceutical agent to supplement or repair genes within an individual's cell. The mechanisms of the treatment is fairly complex, but in simple form, modified retroviruses are used to hack a cell's DNA production in vitro, which then produce a package with a capsid payload used for treatment, the retrovirus is extracted and placed into a patient with a disease specific to the payload. In other words, the retrovirus is specifically engineered to target a certain type of cell with the disease and releases the payload in the cell's nucleus for reproduction of repair cells.
A more detailed explanation can be found in this TED Talk where the speaker highlights application of gene therapy to treat Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a type of brain disease.
Gene therapy, is good news indeed as understanding any given disease at the cellular level and hacking genes for a cure potentially means more personalized effective medicinal agents for individual patients. Imagine taking a pill catered specifically to your biology to help cure you of predisposed diseases or any other form of ailments.
Gene therapy, is just one example of the benefits of the genetics research. Genomics, the study of all genes and their functions contributes to the advancement of medicinal science in tandem with gene therapy. With genomics we could essentially place biology in the domain of computer science (based on the DNA sequence) and figure how to reprogram our genetic structure to cure diseases or modify our physiological limitations. A more current example of this is Google moonshot venture into genetics research to defeat death. See Time magazine article Google Vs Death
In this post, I just wanted to present a taste of genetics. A small sample with which I could further elaborate on in the future. For now, take comfort in the idea that we are on the cusp of a new revolution in biological sciences. Better more effective medicine is on the way, and part of it is made possible through the study of genetics.
An example of applied genetics is in gene therapy. Gene therapy is defined as the use of DNA as a pharmaceutical agent to supplement or repair genes within an individual's cell. The mechanisms of the treatment is fairly complex, but in simple form, modified retroviruses are used to hack a cell's DNA production in vitro, which then produce a package with a capsid payload used for treatment, the retrovirus is extracted and placed into a patient with a disease specific to the payload. In other words, the retrovirus is specifically engineered to target a certain type of cell with the disease and releases the payload in the cell's nucleus for reproduction of repair cells.
A more detailed explanation can be found in this TED Talk where the speaker highlights application of gene therapy to treat Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a type of brain disease.
Gene therapy, is good news indeed as understanding any given disease at the cellular level and hacking genes for a cure potentially means more personalized effective medicinal agents for individual patients. Imagine taking a pill catered specifically to your biology to help cure you of predisposed diseases or any other form of ailments.
Gene therapy, is just one example of the benefits of the genetics research. Genomics, the study of all genes and their functions contributes to the advancement of medicinal science in tandem with gene therapy. With genomics we could essentially place biology in the domain of computer science (based on the DNA sequence) and figure how to reprogram our genetic structure to cure diseases or modify our physiological limitations. A more current example of this is Google moonshot venture into genetics research to defeat death. See Time magazine article Google Vs Death
In this post, I just wanted to present a taste of genetics. A small sample with which I could further elaborate on in the future. For now, take comfort in the idea that we are on the cusp of a new revolution in biological sciences. Better more effective medicine is on the way, and part of it is made possible through the study of genetics.
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