"BBs Fired by `Gene Gun' Cause Immune Response"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"BBs Fired by `Gene Gun' Cause Immune Response"

Washington Post (Health) (03/24/92), P. 5
Herman, Robin

Abstract: A new type of "gene gun" has been developed that shoots microscopic gold BBs coated with particles of human genes directly into cells of living animals, according to a study published in the March 12 issue of Nature. Directed by the foreign genes, the cells then emit proteins that elicit an immune response. The technique may eventually offer a new means of immunizing people against viral infections by shooting genes from a virus into thousands of their cells at a time. Stephen A. Johnston and colleagues at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas conducted the study and found that despite their speed, the BBs pass through the cells without harm and cell membranes quickly reseal. In the experiment, pellets were covered with parts of the human growth hormone gene and shot into mouse ear tissue. He said that with the gene gun "we can put DNA into thousands of cells at a time instead of one at a time." He added that his researchers are attempting now to shoot pellets coated with HIV genes into the cells of mice, which may lead to a vaccine against AIDS.

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