Genetically Modified Organisms and Genetic Engineering in Research and Therapy

Description

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) raise societal, political and ethical concerns. They inspire strong resistance or, conversely, enthusiastic assent. The aim of this publication is to give an overview of genetic engineering, starting with the history of the discovery of restriction enzymes continuing with technical aspects of transgenesis to its applications in research and ethical considerations. Be it the use of single engineered cells or GMO, these applications cover a broad array, ranging from disease-oriented research (but not only), to the promising perspectives of gene therapy. Historical and technical aspects give insights into the problems inherent to the creation of GMO, and illustrate the links and limits between genetic engineering, GMOs and gene therapy. A summary article in English and French structures the links between the different chapters and concepts.Scientists interested in genetic engineering of single cells or animal models, as well as in gene therapy, will find an up-to-date review on the use and perspectives of transgenesis. However, this publication is also recommended to the public interested in the definition of GMO, which encompasses a much broader array than the genetically modified crops covered by media.

Informations

• Publié par: S. Karger AG
• Date de parution: 28 août 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9783805590662
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Genetically Modified Organisms and Genetic Engineering in Research and Therapy

BioValley Monographs
Vol. 3
Series Editors
Philippe Poindron   Strasbourg
Pascale Piguet   Basel
This book is sponsored by
Conseil Régional d'Alsace  
Endress Foundation
BioValley Alsace  

 
Genetically Modified Organisms and Genetic Engineering in Research and Therapy
Volume Editors
Pascale Piguet   Basel
Philippe Poindron   Strasbourg
6 figures, 4 in color and 6 tables, 2012

BioValley Monographs
___________________________
___________________________
Pascale Piguet PharmaZentrum Klingelbergstrasse 50 4050 Basel Switzerland
Philippe Poindron 11 rue Galliéni 92100 Boulogne France
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Genetically modified organisms and genetic engineering in research and therapy / volume editors, Pascale Piguet, Philippe Poindron.
p.; cm. –– (BioValley monographs, ISSN 1660-8984; v. 3)
Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
Summary in English and French.
ISBN 978-3-8055-9065-5 (hard cover: alk. paper) –– ISBN 978-3-8055-9066-2 (e-ISBN)
I. Piguet, Pascale. II. Poindron, Philippe. III. Series: BioValley monographs; v. 3. 1660-8984
[DNLM: 1. Organisms, Genetically Modified. 2. Gene Therapy. 3. Gene Transfer Techniques. 4. Genetic Engineering. QU 450]
615.8'95––dc23
2012022409
Bibliographic Indices. This publication is listed in bibliographic services, including Current Contents ® and Index Medicus.
Disclaimer. The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements in the book is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
Drug Dosage. The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any change in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
© Copyright 2012 by S. Karger AG, P.O. Box, CH-4009 Basel (Switzerland)
http://www.karger.com
Printed in Switzerland on acid-free and non-aging paper (ISO 9706) by Reinhardt Druck, Basel
ISSN 1660-8984
e-ISSN 1662-288X
ISBN 978-3-8055-9065-5
e-ISBN 978-3-8055-9066-2

 
Contents
Foreword
Poindron, P. (Strasbourg)
Summary/Résumé
Piguet, P. (Basel)

Genetically Modified Organisms: Concepts and Methods
Piguet, P. (Basel); Poindron, P. (Strasbourg)
Restriction Enzymes: From Their Discovery to Their Applications
Arber, W. (Basel)
Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Superfamily: Animal Models for Development and Disease
Spittau, B.; Roussa, E.; Unsicker, K.; Krieglstein, K. (Freiburg)
Transfection of Human Neuroblastoma Cells with Alzheimer's Disease Brain Hallmarks as a Promising Strategy to Investigate the Role of Neurosteroidogenesis in Neuroprotection
Patte-Mensah, C.; Meyer, L.; Schaeffer, V. (Strasbourg); Eckert, A. (Basel); Mensah-Nyagan, A.G. (Strasbourg)
Investigating Therapeutic Strategies for Fragile X Syndrome in Mice
Michalon, A.; Lindemann, L. (Basel)
Innovative Therapeutic Perspectives in Neuromuscular Diseases
Cure, S.; Braun, S. (Evry)
Gene Therapy for Cancer Treatment - State of the Art
Hajri, A. (Freiburg)
Manipulating the Mitochondrial Genetic System
Dietrich, A.; Mileshina, D.; Niazi, A.K.; Cosset, A.; Val, R.; Ibrahim, N.; Weber-Lotfi, F. (Strasbourg)
Author Index
Subject Index

 
Foreword
As with many revolutionary ideas, BioValley biocluster of the Upper Rhine Area, after an initial phase of enthusiastic support from the scientific, academic, economic and political world, has entered a phase of what, in French, is called ‘un rythme de croisière’. Few impatient people still believe that it has not produced all the fruits expected from it and look upon it disappointedly. International crises and a fear of losing national specificity have certainly played a role in the stagnation of this initial, ambitious project. This is why it has taken so long to publish this, the third, issue of BioValley Monographs .
It would never have been published without the patient, untiring work of Dr. Pascale Piguet, the invaluable collaboration of Karger Publishers, and the financial support from the Région Alsace, Endress Foundation and the Alsace BioValley Association. At this point, it is impossible not to evoke the memory of Dr. Georg Endress, father of the BioValley initiative. He held most profound views on the direction the world was taking; he was generous, open-minded, and had always, both intellectually and financially, supported his ‘child’.
The world has become a huge village. I think that the time has now come to combine the efforts of all European bioclusters to make the innovative potential of Europe more visible compared with that of the USA or China. This is why I proposed to transform the present series into European Bioclusters Monographs . I realize that to convince all the people in charge of these clusters will be an enormous task, but I would appreciate if all parties concerned tried their hardest to explore this path despite the intensive efforts needed for it to be successful.
Let me now gratefully acknowledge not only the contributors to the present issue, but also the institutions that gave financial support to its launching. First, the Région Alsace, the President of which, Adrien Zeller, died about 2 years ago. He approved and supported the present project. I dedicate this issue to his memory. Adrien Zeller was also a personal friend and I think that he would have been proud to tell me how happy he was to see the results of his ideas. Many grateful thanks go to the sons of Dr. Endress who provided financial support to the publication of this monograph via the Endress Foundation as well as the Alsace BioValley Association who also kindly supported us. Some years ago, I was president of this association which has now changed its status in the frame of the French ‘Pôles de compétitivité’. I present leaders did not forget that BioValley Monographs was launched when I was president and that I have never stopped believing in the value of their publication.
Philippe Poindron

 
Summary/Résumé
Genetically modified organisms (GMO) raise societal, political and ethical concerns. They inspire strong resistance or, conversely, enthusiastic assent. What problems are faced in the field of genetic modification, and what scientific questions do they encourage to be answered? The aim of this volume is to give an overview of genetic engineering from the technical aspects of transgenesis to its application in research. Be it through the use of individual transfected cells or GMO, these applications cover a broad array, ranging from disease-oriented research (but not only) to important therapeutic perspectives. Gene therapy is described in full-length articles devoted to the use of this technique in cancer and in muscular disease.
In the first section, we define the following concepts: organisms, modifications of germen and soma, vectors and vector expression, as well as transgene. Then, we briefly describe the methods being used currently to create GMO. A short description of the main transgenic organisms is given in the first chapter. We do not intend to be exhaustive, but demonstrative in the hope of providing our readers with objective elements to help them form their own opinions.
In the second chapter, Prof Werner Arber describes the history that led to the discovery of the molecular mechanisms of restriction and modification that control the success of the infection of bacteria by viruses called bacteriophages. Study of these - first unraveled - epigenetic phenomena led to the isolation of bacterial endonucleases. Their wide use since then has had a tremendous impact on molecular genetic analysis and biotechnological innovations, including genetic engineering. Thanks to the restriction enzymes, much scientific knowledge has accumulated in many disciplines.
The use of GMO or genetically modified cells has played a significant role in elucidating some of the physiological and/or pathological functions of endogenous molecules. In the article by Spittau and colleagues, it is shown how the use of genetically modified mice has uncovered some key physiological functions of extracellular signaling molecule members of the TGF-β supe