Suzanne Buckley, a genetic scientist at University College London has used genetic material from the HIV virus to set right cystic fibrosis genes in the cells of laboratory mice. The therapy promises to eventually find a solution for cystic fibrosis in babies before they are even born.
Dr Buckley is due to present her findings at the British Society for Gene Therapy conference in Warwick on Wednesday.
Cystic fibrosis is a debilitating disease that affects at least 7,500 people in the UK. The condition causes mucus to clog up the lungs making breathing difficult. Cystic fibrosis is a inherited disease that has no cure.
It is estimated that 2 million people in the country carry the gene that causes cystic fibrosis. If both parents are carriers, chances of their baby contacting the disease increase greatly. Gene therapy is being seen as a way to combat such diseases. In the present study Dr Buckley used a disabled form of the HIV virus as a vector and causes the faults in the gene to be corrected.
The British Society for Gene Therapy conference will also hear about the benefits of gene therapy on SCID, a disease where babies do not possess an immune system.
