Gene therapy tool would target free radicals

sea-maid submitted, created time 2 months 4 days (www.sciencenews.org)

Gene therapy has been touted as a possible way to cure genetic diseases, but new research suggests that it could also fight the wear and tear that leads to cardiovascular diseases.

ScienceNews reports:

"To work within this delicate balance, researchers in Finland have developed a way to insert into human cells free radical–fighting genes that only get switched on when free radical concentrations are high. That way, the genes could stave off the worst effects of free radicals without inhibiting the molecules’ useful functions, the researchers report in the September Gene Therapy."

Keywords: oxidative damage heart disease free radicals gene therapy