Synthetic Skin Delivers Gene Therapies Straight to Body, No Needles Necessary

Gene therapy may be closer than we realize. Researchers are currently working on a skin graft that can be genetically altered to release proteins specifically coded for into the bloodstream. An experiment was done on mice in which a blood pressure-reducing protein was coded for in cells and then grafted into the skin with the cells successfully releasing the peptide into the bloodstream and thereby lowering the blood pressure. What’s particularly ground breaking is the potential that it unlocks for applying a topical cream to the patch in order to activate the altered gene of those cells. With this type of use, needles could to some extent become a thing of the past. This would also help with the dosage and timing that medicine is applied since the patient could personally monitor the application.

This article interested me since it shows potential for a new method of drug delivery to the body. Like all drugs this therapy begs the question of how long the drug remains in the person's system, but it is plausible that a topical application would open up the possibilities of timing the drug and applying it to where it is needed. I also find the application of genetics to solve medical problems an interesting topic and an area of research that is only going to continue to grow.

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-01/synthetic-skin-grafts-deliver-genes-therapies-straight-body-no-needles-necessary