Purdue research shows promise

By Matt Lindner
Staff Writer

A team of four Purdue University researchers has laid the groundwork for a new gene therapy system that might someday be used to help cure deadly illnesses.

The new system being developed is a combination of two viruses that can carry genes into a broader range of cells and can also provide a safer transfer of genetic material. David Sanders, an assistant professor of biological sciences and the head researcher in this study, said this new system has the potential for treatment of a wide range of illnesses.

"This new system allows us to infiltrate more types of cells than is currently possible," said Sanders. "This allows for us to treat a greater amount of tissues and organisms than we normally could by using current genetic therapies."

In addition to laying the groundwork for treating serious illnesses in the future, this new gene delivery system also allows for scientists to enhance research on a group of viruses called alphaviruses. Alphaviruses are transmitted to humans by insects and often cause neurological diseases and arthritis.

Sanders and his colleague Richard Kuhn, associate professor of biological sciences, have developed this new system by removing the outer protein of a virus, also known as a retrovirus, and replacing it with a coat of alphavirus.

Retroviruses have been used in gene therapy in the past. While this has been an effective method in treating patients, there are several drawbacks that come along with it.

"Once a gene is transferred to a cell it is permanent because it gets incorporated into the cell's DNA," Sanders said. "With current retroviruses come several problems. Some can't be concentrated to do gene transfer, some can only enter into particular types of cells, and others contain toxic proteins that do more harm than good."

The Purdue Research Foundation and the National Institutes of Health helped to fund this study. Doctoral students Matthew Sharkey and Cynthia North also participated in the research for the new virus system, for which Purdue has filed a patent.

While this process is inexpensive and relatively easy to create, the difficulty lies in the testing phase. The process first needs to be tested on animals to see if it is as successful as the scientific community believes it has the potential to be. It might be 10 years before clinical trials commence on humans.

While there are many obstacles that they have yet to overcome, Sharkey sees reason for optimism. "There are a few companies that we have contacted that are interested in developing this product," Sharkey said. "In addition to treating cancers, this process can also be used to add hemoglobin to bone marrow and treat many other blood diseases."

Friends remember student’s kindness

University drafts strategic plan

Purdue to place fences around campus fountains

Family awaits Purdue graduate's return from China

University appoints former student to top job

Purdue research shows promise

Genetic therapy causes ethical concerns

CAMPUS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 253

Campus editor: Laura Pelner

Assistant campus editors: Kurt Esposito, Dave Stephens

To send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org