Imitating Viruses to Deliver Therapeutic Genes

Australian scientists have developed a new gene therapy that works the same way viruses do to get into our cells. This means that therapeutic DNA can be transported to a cell's nucleus far more easily than previously, which may result in better gene therapy and treatments for cancer in the future.

In this process, a gene therapy vector is created using pieces of different genes, creating a protein which can be produced by bacteria. This protein is then used to deliver the therapeutic DNA to the nucleus of cells where it then alters the cell to make it function normally.

Gene therapy is the most promising way to treat genetic inherited disorders as well as health problems that arise from environmental damage to the genes. This new mechanism for delivering therapeutic DNA to the cells is very promising for future treatment of genetic problems.