RNA vaccines and 3D printing of organs: the main achievements of biotech. Cards

  1. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

This topic has already set the teeth on edge for everyone who has bought at least once

products in the store, but, nevertheless, there arenuance. Namely: the same result that selection has been achieving for decades is achieved by genetic engineering much faster. Preliminary studies are carried out on the functions and features of the planned modification and its safety for consumption.

Increased toxicity, allergenicity andThe carcinogenicity of GMOs has also not been proven, that is, the risk of poisoning and allergies when consuming such products is exactly the same as when consuming products labeled “non-GMO”. Which, of course, does not negate quality control at all. 

Therefore, in terms of assimilation and influence on ourGMO's own DNA is no different from conventional food. Moreover, studies show a significantly higher yield of genetically modified crops compared to conventional ones.

Such crops require, on average, significantlyless treatment with pesticides as they can be significantly more resistant to pests. And this affects, among other things, the cost of the final product. And finally, we must not forget about the famous golden rice. It was specially modified to contain a large amount of retinol - provitamin A. Later, cultures were created enriched with other beneficial substances: resveratrol, vitamin C, folate and others. 

GMO products can solve the problems associated with the quantity and quality of food in the world. That is why they can be considered a real breakthrough in biotechnological science.

2. 3D printed organs

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This technology is similar to conventional printing on3D printer. Only instead of plastic and resin, human stem cells (we talked about them in the previous article), pig collagen or biocompatible plastic are used to create organs.

First, make a computer model usingMagnetic resonance or computed tomography of the patient, and then based on it, the desired organ is printed on a 3D printer. In shape and structure it will resemble a person’s own organ. Moreover, if printed from stem cells obtained from a patient, this organ will be completely immunologically compatible with it, that is, it will take root and will not be rejected. This is a good opportunity to solve the problem associated with donor organs, because in this case the problems of compatibility and long waits for a suitable organ for transplantation are solved.

3. Artificial lens

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Eye diseases become a very common problem in old age; most often we are talking about&nbsp; cataracts or glaucoma.

The fact is that laser vision correction canhelp in all cases. Fortunately, the problem of vision deterioration with age can be solved with the help of new technologies. An artificial lens will help to defeat a cataract - a lens made of organic glass, silicone or acrylic, which can replace your own that has deteriorated. Now it is quite possible to replace a damaged lens with an artificial one. This means that patients have a chance to see the world clearly and vividly again.

Moreover, the possibilities of modern ophthalmologyare no longer limited to laser vision correction and an artificial lens. There are already bionic prosthetic eyes that also help people who have lost their sight to restore it (at least partially).

4. DNA and RNA vaccines

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These vaccines are specialDNA and RNA molecules that contain sequences of antigens and proteins from pathogenic organisms that are recognized by our body. When these genes enter it, they begin to work and produce this very antigen, which, in turn, our body reacts to, recognizes and remembers it.&nbsp;

This creates immunity againstinfectious disease. The advantage of such vaccines is the ease of their creation and production. Methods of modern genetic engineering make it easy to construct the necessary DNA or RNA molecules. However, there are also many problems that need to be overcome in the development and use of such vaccines. For example, the rather low efficiency of DNA penetration into cells and “engraftment” in it, RNA instability, etc.

However, many scientists believe that it isThese vaccines are the future. For example, the Sputnik V vaccine is just a DNA vaccine. There are also RNA vaccines against coronavirus, such as Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty®) and Moderna (Spikevax™).

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