Non-Viral Nanoparticle Gene therapy

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential and limitations of non-viral nanoparticle gene therapy in humans, exploring its applications, effectiveness, and comparisons to viral gene therapy. Participants inquire about the feasibility of using nanoparticles for gene therapy, their delivery mechanisms, and the implications for gene removal in adult organisms versus embryos.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the current usability of non-viral nanoparticle gene therapy in humans and its theoretical applications for gene therapy across various body locations.
  • There is a discussion about the necessity of oxidative coatings for nanoparticles, with some participants expressing a desire for insights from those actively working in the field.
  • One participant raises a question about the uniformity of DNA across all cells, suggesting that despite base mismatches, the correct base could theoretically be known due to identical DNA in every cell.
  • Another participant challenges the idea that genes can be removed from adult organisms, seeking clarification on methods available for gene removal in embryos and the implications of DNA methylation.
  • Concerns are raised about the accuracy of the assumption that all cells contain identical DNA, with a suggestion to consider DNA methylation as a modifying factor.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of gene removal in adults versus embryos, and there is no consensus on the implications of DNA methylation or the uniformity of DNA across different cell types.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in their understanding of the technical aspects of gene therapy and the biological processes involved, particularly regarding gene removal and DNA modifications.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying gene therapy, molecular biology, and the applications of nanoparticles in medical treatments.

bioquest
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I was wondering if this is usable in humans right now http://www.telomolecular.com/nanocircles.asp or why it couldn't be

I was also wondering...viral gene therapy has a lot of downsides so they're looking at non-viral nanoparticle gene therapy...they've been able to use nanoparticles via IV to people to treat lung cancer...theoretically could you use non-viral nanoparticle gene therapy to do any gene therapy? and to get to any place in the body? What percentage of cells could it get to what places could/couldn't it get to? Is there anyone here who actually works with nanoparticle gene therapy, ie in lab animals or with human gene therapy?

thanks
 
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I don't see an edit post button for some reason..
I mean I know the nanoparticles would have to have an oxidative coating...I talked to my friend whose studied molecular biology at university for a long time and she really couldn't provide any info on it...so that's why I wanted to talk to someone who was in the field of studying nanoparticles/gene therapy/using them
 
Um ignore the other two posts, I was just wondering, every cell in your body contains identical DNA right? So even though there are base mismatches that can occur (let's say for some reason a high amount occurs in an organism) isn't it possible to know the correct base of every cell without being able to view the insides of the cells since all genes in every cell are the same?

Also my friend said no to this next question but I wasn't sure if that was the answer so I wanted to get a second opinion: Is it possible to remove genes in an adult organism- if not why? (ie with a virus or something) What are the ways this can be done in an embryo? I don't think it's possible to remove genes in an adult organism but I still wanted those answers better known in my head so if someone can provide answers to those..thanks. (This is in regards to viral or non viral gene stuff)
 
bioquest said:
every cell in your body contains identical DNA right?
Not exactly, try reading up on Methylation for one type of modification.

bioquest said:
Also my friend said no
Listen to your friend.
 
What are the methods they can use to remove genes in embryos (Other than through breeding) So just to verify..there is no way to do gene removal in adults?

Also just to verify...so not all cells would have the same correct bases ie in brain cells? (ie if it wasn't for mismatched bases)
(Aside from things that could be altered to not exist like DNA methylation, although I don't know maybe that can't be removed, I just read though that
DNA methylation is a type of chemical modification of DNA that can be inherited and subsequently removed without changing the original DNA sequence.
 

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