Salmonella Gene Therapy

Gene therapy has been used for decades to help fight viral infections. Doctors can use modified viruses to deliver genetic material to parts of the body, which can help treat genetic disorders or fight viruses. However, even modified viruses can be dangerous, and hasn't been used extensively. A 1999 clinical trial where researchers attempted to use gene therapy to cure a liver disorder ended up causing the death of one of the participants. His immune system overreacted to the modified virus, and combined with the liver disorder ended up killing him. This study has successfully used modified salmonella bacteria instead of viruses as a method for gene treatment. The mice that were infected by the modified bacteria were able to fight off the test virus more effectively, and had a higher survival rate. Bacteria are much less infectious than viruses, are easier to cultivate in a lab, and have less chance of a dangerous immune system response. Hopefully, the study will lead to more effective and more widespread gene treatment, which can help save many lives.