January 26, 2005
JAMES REYNOLDS
SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT
The Scotsman
A LASER technique developed by scientists at the University of St Andrews could pave the way for cheap and easy gene therapy in humans, it has been revealed.
Researchers believe that the adaptability of the technique means it could have wide applications, including the delivery of anti-cancer agents directly into cells, and in advanced studies of neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The process, which has seen genes delivered directly into mammal cells using a small laser, first involves the cell to be implanted being suspended in a solution of the gene material to be introduced.
The violet laser is then focused on the cell membrane for a matter of milliseconds, which causes the membrane to open.
By some means which is not yet fully understood, the genetic material enters the cell before its internal mechanism causes the membrane to heal itself, while appearing to suffer no long-lasting damage.
After inserting the genes, the St Andrews team then grew the cells, which appeared to remain healthy and multiplied normally.
The presence of the introduced gene in all the multiplied cells was also observed after the introduction.
Dr Ben Agate, a key researcher on the project, said: "We believe that we have only touched the surface with this technology.
"The method is simple and inexpensive and could have important bio-medical implications - and should find wide use because of this.
"Since it also has the potential to assist in the cellular delivery of other bio-molecules, we are now looking at other cell types to see how widely applicable the method proves to be."
Although other research groups around the world have touched on the area before, the scientists at St Andrews have streamlined the process by using a simple and versatile miniature violet laser, which is compatible with standard microscopes found in laboratories across the country.
In addition to the method being extremely effective, the team can select individual cells to be treated at will under the microscope, which can then be observed through the following developmental stages.
Previous techniques concentrated on batches of cells, and so made following the changes to individual cells far more complicated.
Dr Agate added: "With this research we can pick the cells we want to observe and isolate those that we are not interested in.
"We have greatly simplified the technique, which beforehand involved using large, cumbersome and often expensive equipment to create the hole in the cell. This would not have been at all compatible with a practical, portable unit.
"By using the violet diode laser it will enable people who have a relatively simple microscope apparatus to incorporate this device into their existing set-up."
Having been successful with general mammalian cells, the St Andrews team is moving on to other cell types - such as human cells - to see if the process can be repeated.
Optical technology has huge potential for development in the biomedical field, and St Andrews is at the forefront of research in this area.
The study was funded by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
http://news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=96062005