Chimeraplasty

Chimeraplasty

Chimeraplasty is a non-viral method of gene therapy. Chimeraplasty changes DNA sequences using a synthetic strand of RNA and DNA. This strand of RNA and DNA is known as a chimeraplast. The chimeraplast enters a cell and attaches itself to the target gene. The DNA of the chimeraplast and the cell complement each other except in the middle of the strand, where the chimeraplast's sequence is different from that of the cell. The DNA repair enzymes then replace the cells DNA with that of the chimeraplast. This leaves the chimeraplast's new sequence in the cell's DNA and the replaced DNA sequence then decays.

This technique was first developed and named by Eric Kmiec at Thomas Jefferson University. Since its discovery there has been debate over chimeraplasty’s effectiveness. In the 6 September 1996 article of Science, Kmiec claimed that chimeraplasty was 50% effective in human cells. This figure was later disputed by a number of universities; chimeraplasty is now considered around 0.0002% effective in transforming yeast cells.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Chimeraplasty — A method of gene therapy based upon the use of a molecule called a chimeraplast, a synthetic blend of DNA and the related molecule RNA, to trick the patient s own cells to remedy a gene defect. Chimeraplasts are made to match the patient s… …   Medical dictionary

  • chimeraplasty — A method designed to create defined alterations in DNA sequence at a target locus, with potential both for gene therapy and for investigating gene function. A synthetic nucleic acid that contains DNA interspersed with small amounts of RNA is… …   Glossary of Biotechnology

  • List of genetics-related topics — This is a list of terms related to genetics. NOTOC # * 3 end * 5 end A * Acentric chromosome * Achondroplasia * Active site * Adam s Curse * Adaptation * Adenine * Adenosine * Adenovirus * Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) * Ala * Alagille syndrome *… …   Wikipedia

  • List of genetic engineering topics — NOTOC # 3 end 5 end A Acentric chromosome Achondroplasia Active site Adam s Curse Adaptation Adenine Adenosine Adenosine diphosphate Adenovirus ADP Ala Alagille syndrome Albino Alcoholism Alkylating agent Allele Allele frequency Alleles… …   Wikipedia

  • химерапластика — Метод введения гена в ДНК живых организмов или клеток, используя механизм генной репарации [http://www.dunwoodypress.com/148/PDF/Biotech Eng Rus.pdf] Тематики биотехнологии EN chimeraplasty …   Справочник технического переводчика

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