[MangoMan]

Scientists have been able to use nanobots to inject RNA blocking drugs into cancer cells. "Initial testing on patients with Melanoma have shown that the nanobots found their way into the tumors and delivered the RNA blocking substance as planned."

http://www.efitnessnow.com/news/2010...through-blood/

 

[F1ForFrags]

If they can use these nanobots to deliver drugs into the cancerous cells, why can't they just destroy the cells...?

 

[MrDeodorant]

Holy crap!

Quote:

The nanobots actually attack the cancer by performing gene therapy and turning off the cancer growing gene in the tumor.

Nanobots performing gene therapy? The discovery of cancer-growing genes (this one I'm more inclined to believe, but still...)? Am I that out of touch, or is this perhaps a little exaggerated?

Edit: it's been cleared up.

 

[Evtron]

I wonder if this will be covered by Obamacare?

 

[whosloosin92]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDeodorant Holy crap! Nanobots performing gene therapy? The discovery of cancer-growing genes (this one I'm more inclined to believe, but still...)? Am I that out of touch, or is this perhaps a little exaggerated?

You didn't know that they have known about specific cancerous genes? If I remember correctly from AP Bio the P51 gene is responsible for the production of a protein that lyses the cell if out of control replication is detected. A mutation in that gene can cause unchecked cell growth.

That is just one of many ways in which cancer can develop. Almost all of which stemming from a genetic defect.

 

[Urufu_Shinjiro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDeodorant Holy crap! Nanobots performing gene therapy? The discovery of cancer-growing genes (this one I'm more inclined to believe, but still...)? Am I that out of touch, or is this perhaps a little exaggerated?

No, you're misunderstanding. They use gene therapy to basically destroy the cancer cells ability to reproduce itself, thus no more cancer growth.

 

[nascasho]

This reminds me of "I Am Legend" for some reason...

 

[MrDeodorant]

Actually, after doing some reading, what I was misunderstanding was their usage of the phrase 'gene therapy' to mean 'blocking the activation of a gene' instead of 'replacing one gene with another', which is what I had thought it meant.

 

[Z Naught]

Quote:

Originally Posted by F1ForFrags If they can use these nanobots to deliver drugs into the cancerous cells, why can't they just destroy the cells...?

That is effectively destroying the cells. If RNA is not transcribed it cannot be translated into a protein by the ribosomes and the cell cannot function or multiply and will die.

 

[Cryptedvick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nascasho This reminds me of "I Am Legend" for some reason...

just imagine!

 

[Interpolation]

This thread is in the wrong section it should be moved to the science & technology news area of OCN.

 

[inspechore]

There are a lot of genes involved in cancerous cell growth, one of the most popular is the P53 gene. The protein produced by this gene is responsible for regulating the cell reproduction cycle. If the gene has a mutation that results in the protein that is produced being sufficiently different so as to not be able to carry out its function the cell reproduction cycle continues unchecked. The RNA therapy most likely utilizes RNA interference where they introduce double stranded RNA strands into the cells and the cells are able to develop a means to identify and destroy the cancerous RNA.

Molecular Biology Major
UWI Mona.

 

[Dannythm]

I totally see the scientists rubbing their hands and saying "Keikaku doori-da!"

Ayway this is one step mroe towards Ghost in the shell and immortal bodies.

 

[TestECull]

Let's test it on one of my cats...

 

[MangoMan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TestECull Let's test it on one of my cats...

Your cat has cancer? I am sorry to hear that...

 

[TestECull]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MangoMan Your cat has cancer? I am sorry to hear that...

Yeah, lung cancer. He's so far gone the vet only filled a scrip for some 'roids to keep pain/swelling down around the tumors. 10 days worth. She said a month, but judging by the amount of pills she gave us I'm thinking that's optimistic.