Question

what are Transposons? What is molecular cloning? what are iPS cells and their benefits? What is gene therapy?

Answer 1

What are Transposons?

[Ans] A transposon (transposable element or TE or) is a DNA sequence that can change its position within a genome, sometimes creating or reversing mutations and altering the cell's genetic identity and genome size.

When we think of our genetics, we imagine the DNA that codes for our genes. But we may not realize that these genes are not motionless: small fragments of DNA can actually move Some genes, called transposons, or 'jumping genes', can transfer themselves across separate structures of DNA called chromosomes. In fact, the name 'transposon' closely resembles their ability to 'transpose'. These genes are sometimes referred to as a transposable element (TE). Imagine genes jumping from one chromosome to another, just as a monkey jumps from tree to tree.

What are iPS cells and their benefits?

[Ans] Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a new type of pluripotent cells that can be obtained by reprogramming animal and human differentiated cells.iPSC are derived from skin or blood cells that have been reprogrammed back into an embryonic-like pluripotent state that enables the development of an unlimited source of any type of human cell needed for therapeutic purposes. For example, iPSC can be prodded into becoming beta islet cells to treat diabetes, blood cells to create new blood free of cancer cells for a leukemia patient, or neurons to treat neurological disorders.

As a potential application in cell based therapy, one of the major advantages of iPS cells is the avoidance of immune rejection, since they are derived from a patient’s own cells, as well as ethical issues associated with the use of human embryos. Furthermore, iPS cells are similar to ES cells in many aspects, including cell morphology, expression of pluripotency markers, long telomeres and capability to form embryoid bodies, teratoma, and viable chimeras.

What is molecular cloning?

[Ans] Molecular cloning is a set of experimental methods in molecular biology that are used to assemble recombinant DNA molecules and to direct their replication within host organisms.The use of the word cloning refers to the fact that the method involves the replication of one molecule to produce a population of cells with identical DNA molecules. Molecular cloning generally uses DNA sequences from two different organisms: the species that is the source of the DNA to be cloned, and the species that will serve as the living host for replication of the recombinant DNA. Molecular cloning methods are central to many contemporary areas of modern biology and medicine.

What is gene therapy?

[Ans] Gene therapy is an experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease. In the medicine field gene therapy (also called human gene transfer) is the therapeutic delivery of nucleic acid into a patient's cells as a drug to treat disease. In the future, this technique may allow doctors to treat a disorder by inserting a gene into a patient’s cells instead of using drugs or surgery. Researchers are testing several approaches to gene therapy, including:

> Replacing a mutated gene that causes disease with a healthy copy of the gene.

> Inactivating, or “knocking out,” a mutated gene that is functioning improperly.

> Introducing a new gene into the body to help fight a disease.

Although gene therapy is a promising treatment option for a number of diseases (including inherited disorders, some types of cancer, and certain viral infections), the technique remains risky and is still under study to make sure that it will be safe and effective. Gene therapy is currently being tested only for diseases that have no other cures.