Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

07:11
Homemade Site Directed Mutagenesis of Whole Plasmids
Published on: May 11, 2009
34.1K
[Gene therapy in Germany: from past to present]
Young Kim1, Ingo G H Schmidt-Wolf1
1Centrum für Integrierte Onkologie Köln Bonn, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, Universitätsklinikum Bonn.
Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|April 30, 2015
Summary
The first clinical gene therapy trial occurred in 1994. Over 2000 trials have since been conducted globally, prompting a 20-year review of gene therapy advancements.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Genetics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- The advent of clinical gene therapy began with the first trial in Germany in 1994.
- Gene therapy aims to treat or cure diseases by modifying a patient's genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a retrospective analysis of clinical gene therapy trials conducted over two decades.
- To summarize the progress and impact of gene therapy since its inception.
Main Methods:
- Review of global clinical gene therapy trial data from 1994 onwards.
- Analysis of trial numbers and trends over a 20-year period.
Main Results:
- Over 2000 clinical gene therapy trials have been initiated worldwide.
- Significant growth in the number of gene therapy trials since 1994.
Conclusions:
- Gene therapy has undergone substantial development and expansion over the past 20 years.
- The increasing number of trials indicates growing interest and investment in the field.
Related Concept Videos
What is Genetic Engineering?
Overview
In-vitro Mutagenesis
To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a technique where a gene is inserted into a person’s cells to prevent or treat a serious disease. The added gene may be a healthy version of the gene that is mutated in the patient, or it could be a different gene that inactivates or compensates for the patient’s disease-causing gene. For example, in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, a functioning version of the gene can be inserted. The...
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a technique where a gene is inserted into a person’s cells to prevent or treat a serious disease. The added gene may be a healthy version of the gene that is mutated in the patient, or it could be a different gene that inactivates or compensates for the patient’s disease-causing gene. For example, in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, a functioning version of the gene can be inserted. The...
Forced Transdifferentiation
Transdifferentiation, also known as lineage reprogramming, was first discovered by Selman and Kafatos in 1974 in silkmoths. They observed that the moths’ cuticle-producing cells transformed into salt-producing cells. Many such cases of natural transdifferentiation occur in organisms. In humans, pancreatic alpha cells can become beta cells. In newts, the loss of the eye’s lens causes the pigmented epithelial cells to transdifferentiate into the lens cells.
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...

