Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

Gene Therapy and Genetic Medicine

Gene Therapy and Genetic Medicine are fields focused on using genetic techniques to treat or prevent diseases.

Gene Therapy:

Gene therapy involves modifying the genetic material within a person’s cells to treat or prevent diseases. This can be done by:

• Introducing new genes to replace faulty ones.
• Correcting defective genes within a patient's cells.
• Silencing harmful genes.

It is mainly used for inherited genetic disorders, some cancers, and certain viral infections. Current methods use viral vectors to deliver the therapeutic genes or non-viral methods like lipid nanoparticles.

Genetic Medicine:

Genetic medicine uses genetic information to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. This includes:

• Genetic Testing: Identifying genetic predispositions to diseases.
• Pharmacogenomics: Tailoring treatments based on genetic factors to optimize effectiveness.
• Personalized Medicine: Customizing treatments based on an individual's genetic profile.

Genetic medicine is widely used in diagnosing inherited diseases, guiding cancer treatment, and personalizing drug therapies.