Gene therapy advance a better way to target genes

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 07:59:59 -0400

A team of scientists led by British Nobel laureate Sir Aaron Klug has advanced a new approach to gene therapy. The team has designed zinc-fingered nucleases that can recognize a specific sequence of DNA, giving them an ability to attach to very specific gene targets. The new approach has already been successfully tested on 100 diabetic patients who had lost sensation. A gene therapy that included a growth factor was used to return sensation to the patients. And now they'll be trying it out on spinal injury.

The research work could apply to a wide array of conditions. Animal tests are underway for chronic pain as well as HIV. And it may also help create new blood vessels and knock out genes that cause disease.

"The zinc-finger design allows us to target a single gene, while the nuclease disrupts the gene," says Sir Aaron. "The single step process is extremely quick and reliable and opens up exciting possibilities for research and gene therapy."

- read the article in the Telegraph

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Enzyme inhibitor wipes out unhappy memories

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 06:59:59 -0400

A group of neurologists have been studying the role a particular enzyme plays in creating memories, saying that blocking the enzyme could offer a new approach to treating post-traumatic stress disorders as well as chronic pain. The enzyme works as a "continuous motor" strengthening bonds between neurons, a key function in the creation of long-term memories.

To test their approach, the neurologists created an aversion in rats to an unsavory snack, and then injected an inhibitor. The rats forgot their aversion following therapy. Todd Sacktor, a professor of neurology at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center in New York City, says the approach appears to completely wipe the brain's hard drive of the memory.

- read the Scientific American article on their work

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Chronic Pain

Gene therapy advance a better way to target genes

Enzyme inhibitor wipes out unhappy memories