Genetic Engineering Technique: It could be a great respite for HIV patients if the above test is successful among a large group of patients.
As per the study conducted in Dr Barzel’s laboratory, a single injection using genetic engineering has been devised which would treat HIV patients with a single injection.
According to the latest report, the above technique utilizes genetically engineered type B cells so as to secrete neutralizing antibodies against the infecting HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) which actually causes the disease.
The original study was conducted at the lab along with adding some other researchers directly from countries like the US and Israel. The study has been published in the journal Nature.
What Are B Cells?
B cells are basically a type of White Blood Cells (WBC) having the capacity to generate antibodies against various invading pathogens like bacteria and viruses. The formation of B cells happens in the bone marrow.
After B cells get matured, they are released into the blood and lymphatic system. From there, they move to different parts of the body.
This is what Dr. Barzel explains, “Until now, only a few scientists, and we among them, had been able to engineer B cells outside of the body, and in this study, we were the first to do this in the body and to make these cells generate desired antibodies.”
How Genetic Engineering Is Performed?
The process of genetic engineering is performed through some vital carriers from viruses by not causing any sort of damage but to manage gene coding.
This is what he further stated, Additionally, in this case, we have been able to accurately introduce the antibodies into a desired site in the B cell genome.
All model animals who had been administered the treatment responded and had high quantities of the desired antibody in their blood. We produced the antibody from the blood and made sure it was actually effective in neutralizing the HIV virus in the lab dish.”
The entire process of genetic editing is performed using CRISPR which is a technology used for the immune system of bacteria against viruses. It’s used as a kind of molecular “search engine” and helps locating different viral sequences. They are also used to cut them so as to disable them.
Dr. Barzel further explains, When genetically engineered B cells enter the virus, they simulates them to divide. And in this way, we are utilizing this particular cause to combat the disease.” he stated.
He continued, Based on this study we can expect that over the coming years we will be able to produce in this way medication for AIDS, additional infectious diseases, and certain types of cancer caused by a virus, such as cervical cancer, head, and neck cancer, and more”. he said.
Source: Medindia.net
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