Medical Implication of Developmental Biology

ContentsInfertility

◦Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) In Vitro Fertilization Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) Ovary transfer

Developmental cancer therapyGene therapyStem cells and therapeutic

cloning

Infertility• Inability to achieve or sustain

pregnancy. • Not a disease.

• 80% by 1.5 years, beyond 2 years.

• Failure of ovulation, physical blockage, sperm defects.

In Vitro FertilizationAssisted reproductive technology

(ART).

Four steps◦Ovarian stimulation◦Eggs retrieval, aspiration◦Fertilization, sperm collection and

“washing”.◦Embryo transfer.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm InjectionProcedure in which a single sperm is injected

directly into an egg. In vitro fertilization.

Ovary Transfer

Developmental Cancer Therapy

Cancer can be seen as a result of altered development.

Cancer Therapy- Angiogenesis Inhibition

Angiogenesis◦The formation of new blood vessels.◦Is utilized to provide blood supply to

a tumor◦Tumor cells secrete molecules such

as VEGF(Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor)

Angiogenesis InhibitionAngiogenesis inhibitors are drugs that

prevent angiogenesis and hence prevent vascularization from occurring.

Natural and synthetic inhibitors of angiogenesis have been characterized by several groups.

Some angiogenesis inhibitors have been FDA approved for humans

Gene TherapyThe insertion of normal or genetically altered

genes into cells usually to replace defective genes especially in the treatment of genetic disorders.

Somatic cell gene therapy◦ (e.g. through blood or liver stem cells)

Germ line gene therapy◦ by modifying a germ cell or fertilized egg and

transferring to next generation.◦ by modifying embryonic stem cells and making a

body )

Stem Cell - MedicineThe human stem cells can be

used to produce new cells or organs (neurons, blood cells, pancreas etc.) for people with diseases or failing organs.