S4.11 From genes to drugs to bugs: How genetic engineering is used to make medicines
Hello, and welcome to Genetics Unzipped - the Genetics Society podcast, with me, Dr Kat Arney. In this episode we’re discovering how researchers have used genetic engineering to turn genes into lifesaving drugs such as insulin for people with diabetes, and monoclonal antibodies that are used to treat autoimmune conditions, cancer and infectious diseases like COVID-19
From insulin to Humulin – the story of the first genetically engineered drug
People living with type 1 diabetes can control their blood sugar levels by injecting insulin, allowing them to live relatively normal lives, but this wasn’t always the case. We discover how researchers used genetic knowledge to created life-saving insulin for people with diabetes, and ask why it is so expensive in the US. Click here to find out more and for all the references.
A growth industry: The story of human growth hormone
Growth hormone is a pretty magical biological substance produced by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain and helps you - you guessed it - grow. We explore the story behind the development of synthetic human growth hormone. Click here to discover what we found and for all the references.
“Blood is an unusual fluid”: The therapeutic antibody revolution
Replacing missing or faulty human hormones with their recombinant equivalents is a relatively straightforward way to treat disease. But by the mid-1980s, scientists were beginning to think about how they could exploit a more mysterious and unpredictable class of human proteins, antibodies. Click here to learn more about how researchers figured out how to recreate antibodies and use them for treating diseases and for all the references.
Designer DNA and Bugs as Drugs
The advent of the revolutionary gene-editing technology, CRISPR, has added a new dimension to drug discovery, with new and exciting ways to fix genetic diseases and identify therapeutic targets. Click here to learn about how researchers use this new tech and how they turned bacteria into drugs.
That’s all for now. Thanks to Emily Nordvang for her sterling work researching and writing this episode.
We’ll be back next time finding out how scientists are searching for the genes involved in chronic pain and ME/CFS, working hand in hand with people affected by these often frustrating and life-limiting conditions.
For more information about this podcast including show notes, transcripts, links, references, music credits and everything else head over to geneticsunzipped.com You can find us on Twitter @geneticsunzip and please do take a moment to rate and review us on Apple podcasts - it really makes a difference and helps more people discover the show.
Genetics Unzipped is written and presented by me, Kat Arney with additional research and scripting by Emily Nordvang. It is produced by First Create the Media for The Genetics Society - one of the oldest learned societies in the world dedicated to supporting and promoting the research, teaching and application of genetics. You can find out more and apply to join at genetics.org.uk. Our theme music was composed by Dan Pollard, and the logo was designed by James Mayall, and audio production was by Hannah Varrall. Thanks for listening, and until next time, goodbye.
Sound effects and music licensed from Epidemic Sound and Envato
Scott Joplin Ragtime Dance CC1.0 public domain
Image credits:
AMA Antibodies: Simon Caulton via Wikimedia Commons
Frederick Grant Banting: via Wellcome Collection
Diphtheria Antitoxin Horse: Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration via Wikimedia Commons
Bug Printer: naulicrea via Envato
