gene therapy

Since we are currently doing presentations for each specific topics which relates to genetics, i'll upload some of the information about my topic which is gene therapy and genetic screening. this topic really attracts me and gets me to think deep about the science about it.

*Genetic screening

A genetic screen is the process of test to identify DNA samples to detect the presence of a gene or genes associated with an inherited disorder.

Early detection may help avoid the consequences of getting genetic diseases.

3 types of genetic screening :

-prenatal screening

-is a test for diseases or conditions in an embryo before it is born, to detect birth defects for some certain genetic diseases for babies

-prenatal screening tells you that which one of these diseases your baby might have and the chance of your baby to get the disease

-newborn screening

-Newborn screening is the practice of testing every newborn for certain harmful or potentially fatal disorders that aren't apparent at birth.

-carrier screening

-- Carrier screening is testing that's done to see if each partner carries a genetic change that could cause a serious inherited disorder in baby.

*Gene therapy

 The technique for scientists to alter a person's genetic material to fight or prevent diseases.

 The most common form of gene therapy involves the insertion of functional genes into an unspecified genomic location in order to replace a mutated gene.

A carrier molecule called a vector must be used to deliver the therapeutic gene to the patient's target cells. A new gene is inserted into the vector, which is used to introduce the modified DNA into a human cell. Then the new gene will start to make functional proteins.

the picture basically shows the steps of gene therapy

2 types of gene therapy

- somatic gene therapy

-sperm or eggs, are modified by the introduction of functional genes, therefore the change due to this therapy would be heritable and would pass on to the generation

-germ line gene therapy

-the therapeutic genes are transferred into the somatic cells of a patient, would be restricted to the person himself only

After all those researching, i have got so interested in this topic, it really has a lot of fun staff.