The process of introducing foreign DNA into host cells of living organisms is called gene delivery. This process plays a key role in gene therapy and in the genetic modification of crops. This can be achieved in a number of different ways. The methods can be broadly classified into two groups, the viral methods and non-viral methods.
The current primary challenge to the use of gene therapy is how to safely deliver therapeutic genes into a selected group of cells where genetic expression can occur. The standard method of delivering genes needs to protect the genetic material against being broken down by nuclease enzymes in the cell, should bring genetic material past cell membrane and into the nucleus of cells that are being targeted and finally must no detrimental side effects.
Viral vectors have the ability to mediate transfer of genes into cells of the host with high efficiency. Virus are able to inject its DNA into host cells after it has penetrated. The genes intended for transfer are packed into a viral particle and the ability to replicate is removed. Several viruses have been used in such cases including retrovirus, adenovirus and herpes simplex virus.
The major weakness of using real viruses is that the human body may launch an immune response against the viruses. Clinical studies have proven that the use of real viruses has serious safety effects. It has been shown that the viruses could mutate and transform to be dangerous and harmful.
The other class is the non-viral means of transferring genes. Here the methods try to explore on ways of delivering these genes into the cells without a carrier or by employing synthetic vectors to deliver the genes. The carrier free method also called physical means includes using things such as needle injections and ultrasound with hydrodynamic transfer. They all employ use of physical force to penetrate cell membrane and facilitate transfer.
The second non-viral means involves use of synthetic or naturally available compounds to act as the carriers to deliver genes into the target cells. This way the safety against mutation that occurs in viruses is assured. There has been significant progress in the field of sciences and research on non-viral methods, the use of viruses is still more effective.
Irrespective of the means that is employed, gene delivery is an emerging trend that is quickly becoming popular in the field of medicine. This is mainly due to its unique opportunity of being able to penetrate cells therefore enabling treatment of medical conditions with genetic origins.
The current primary challenge to the use of gene therapy is how to safely deliver therapeutic genes into a selected group of cells where genetic expression can occur. The standard method of delivering genes needs to protect the genetic material against being broken down by nuclease enzymes in the cell, should bring genetic material past cell membrane and into the nucleus of cells that are being targeted and finally must no detrimental side effects.
Viral vectors have the ability to mediate transfer of genes into cells of the host with high efficiency. Virus are able to inject its DNA into host cells after it has penetrated. The genes intended for transfer are packed into a viral particle and the ability to replicate is removed. Several viruses have been used in such cases including retrovirus, adenovirus and herpes simplex virus.
The major weakness of using real viruses is that the human body may launch an immune response against the viruses. Clinical studies have proven that the use of real viruses has serious safety effects. It has been shown that the viruses could mutate and transform to be dangerous and harmful.
The other class is the non-viral means of transferring genes. Here the methods try to explore on ways of delivering these genes into the cells without a carrier or by employing synthetic vectors to deliver the genes. The carrier free method also called physical means includes using things such as needle injections and ultrasound with hydrodynamic transfer. They all employ use of physical force to penetrate cell membrane and facilitate transfer.
The second non-viral means involves use of synthetic or naturally available compounds to act as the carriers to deliver genes into the target cells. This way the safety against mutation that occurs in viruses is assured. There has been significant progress in the field of sciences and research on non-viral methods, the use of viruses is still more effective.
Irrespective of the means that is employed, gene delivery is an emerging trend that is quickly becoming popular in the field of medicine. This is mainly due to its unique opportunity of being able to penetrate cells therefore enabling treatment of medical conditions with genetic origins.
About the Author:
Lucilla Eiche likes writing about vaccines and cutting edge scientific research. To get further information about gene delivery methods, or to find USDA regulatory programs, please check out the BenchmarkBiolabs.com site now.