Book Description

The inability of the human body to be able significantly to self repair injured organs and tissues results in a considerable medical and social problem. During the last few years there has been incredible progress, and the achievements in experimental strategies for tissue regeneration, particularly in cell transplantation and stem cell research, have led to potential treatment options for many otherwise fatal conditions. These innovations hold promise for treating or preventing end-stage organ failure; cell therapy and tissue engineering of viable grafts with the potential to grow and remodel could provide prospective new solutions to the serious problems of organ donor shortage.

Book Description

The possibility of treating cancer, a disease frequently defined by
genetic defects, by introducing genes that target these very
alterations has generated tremendous enthusiasm. This enthusiasm,
however, has been tempered by an increasing number of obstacles to
successful therapy, including vector systems that do not reach systemic
metastases, therapeutic genes with redundant mechanisms allowing for
cellular resistance, and toxicities in clinical trials that result in
premature closure. The three comprehensive sections of this volume
present currently available cancer gene therapy techniques, with
specific attention to these trouble spots. Part I describes the various
aspects of gene delivery including vehicles, or vectors, and their
respective characteristics and production methods. In Part II, the
contributors discuss strategies and targets for the treatment of
cancer, including methods for cell-death therapies, correction of
underlying genetic defects at the molecular level, and activation of
the immune system or tumor microenvironment. The contributors provide a
succinct framework for understanding the basic underlying oncogenic
changes, which encourages the development of vectors engineered to
exploit these gene mutations through selective spread of the vector in
tumor cells with the specific changes. Finally, in Part III, experts in
clinical gene therapy trials discuss the difficulties inherent in
bringing gene therapy treatment for cancer to the clinic, and principal
investigators present gene therapy approaches in the clinical testing
stage and the results that have reached the stage of clinical
testing.of these trials.

Customer Reviews (11)

Extremely helpful...
As a counseling psychology student, I found this book to be incredibly useful in understanding the foundations of Narrative Therapy. This bookoffers a lot in the ways of theoretical orientation and basic narrative counseling skills. A must read for counselors who wish to expand their techniques.

Great Resource for Beginning Counselors!
This is a really great resource for learning about the theoretical assumptions behind narrative therapy and how to start practicing narrative techniques.Freedman and Combs do an excellent job of bringing the material to the reader in a collaborative, non-pedantic way - perfect for the post-modern, narrative viewpoint that they are conveying.I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning ways of connecting in a more personal and real way with their clients' life stories and personalities.Great book!

Author Review - EXCELLENT!
Narrative Therapy by Jill Freedman & Gene Combs is perhaps one of the best theraputic books I have read. As an author and human services worker, I am always looking for titles that will help me assist client's with their needs. That said, this book is a must read for anyone who wants to work through problems such as depression, anger and societal connections. I highly recommend this book - the authors did a great job!

---
John D. Moore, MS, CADC
Author of Confusing Love with Obsession

I Like it
Please ignore the non-review of July 11, and dig deep enough to see David Epston's thoughts about the book.

Do NOT buy this book
This is one of the most horribly written books that I have ever read. There is nothing here that has not been presented before in 2nd year psychology courses. Freedman and Combs did a terrible job here. ... Read more

Book Description
This reference is completely revised and expanded to reflect the most critical studies, controversies, and technologies impacting the medical field, including probing research on lentivirus, gutless adenovirus, bacterial and baculovirus vectors, retargeted viral vectors, in vivo electroporation, in vitro and in vivo gene detection systems, and all inducible gene expression systems. Scrutinizing every tool, technology, and issue impacting the future of gene and cell research, it is specifically written and organized for laymen, scholars, and specialists from varying backgrounds and disciplines to understand the current status of gene and cell therapy and anticipate future developments in the field. ... Read more

Book Description
With the development of improved methods of transferring genes intocells, new treatment options are becoming available in orthopaedicsand sports medicine to aid in the healing capacity ofmusculoskeletaltissues. In this book, current techniques in gene therapy and tissueengineering aredescribed in addition to their potential applicationsin the management of orthopaedic trauma and sports-related injuriessuch as muscle injury and ligament, meniscus, or cartilage damage. Thebookbridges the gap between the clinicians aiming to improverecovery following such injuries, and researchers interested in tissueengineering and gene therapy. This book will be read by physicians andresearchers in orthopaedic surgery, sports medicine, and cell andmolecular biology. ... Read more

Book Description

KEY MESSSAGE: Will gene therapy one day become the ultimate application of genetic technology?Gene Therapy, the newest booklet in the Special Topics in Biology Series, addresses this question by exploring gene therapy as a complex technology for delivering therapeutic genes as a way to treat and cure human genetic diseases. Author Mary Colavito provides an overview of the basic science involved in gene therapy methods and chronicles the history of gene therapy by discussing successful and ongoing gene therapy treatments as well as adverse outcomes in some cases of gene therapy. Also discussed are challenges that must be overcome for gene therapy to become a more reliable and readily accessible approach for treating a multitude of genetic diseases that affect humans. Gene Therapy: Methods Currently Employed, Partial Successes and Ongoing Trials, Setbacks, Challenges, Future Approaches For all readers interested in gene therapy as a complex technology for delivering therapeutic genes as a way to treat and cure human genetic diseases.

Book Description
The authors of this absorbing new book describe the science of gene therapy in terms easily accessible to the non-specialist, and focus on the controversial ethical and public policy issues surrounding human interventions in human heredity. After a brief survey of the structure and functions of DNA, genes, and cells, Walters and Palmer discuss three major types of potential genetic intervention: somatic cell gene therapy, germ line gene therapy, and genetic enhancements. They start with the current techniques of gene addition, using non-reproductive (somatic) cells in an effort to cure or treat disease. Next they address the technical problems and moral issues facing attempts to prevent disease through genetically modifying early human embryos or sperm and egg cells. These changes would be passed on to future generations. Chapter 4, in many ways the most original part of this volume, confronts the issue of employing genetic means to improve human abilities and appearance. Depending on the techniques employed, such enhancements could affect not only the individuals receiving the intervention but their offspring as well. Three types of genetic enhancements are considered: physical alterations to improve size, reduce the need for sleep, and decelerate aging; intellectual enhancements of memory and general cognitive ability; and moral enhancements for control of violently aggressive behavior. The authors maintain that genetic modifications should be evaluated individually rather than be condemned in principle or as a group. The final chapter summarizes the public review process that human gene therapy proposals have been undergoing in the United States since 1990. Five appendices, providing technical background information along with a complete list of questions raised in the national public review process, supplement the discussion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Solid and compelling
Walters and Palmer present here a solid argument regarding the impending technology of human gene therapy.They walk through the science carefully, but the core of the book is on the development of criteria for when trials in gene therapy would be acceptable. While this reviewer does not agree with every stand they take, the book will be a classic in the ethics of gene therapy because of its careful argument and thorough analysis. ... Read more

Book Description
Every day, newspapers and television news programs present stories on the latest controversies over healthcare and medical advances, but they do not have the space to provide detailed background on the issues. Websites and weblogs provide information from activists and partisans intent on presenting their side of a story. But where can students - or even ordinary citizens - go to obtain unbiased, detailed background on the medical issues affecting their daily lives? This volume in the Health and Medical Issues Today series provides readers and researchers a balanced, in-depth introduction to the medical, scientific, legal, and cultural issues surrounding gene therapy and its import in today's world of healthcare. Gene Therapy is organized to provide researchers with easy access to the information they need: BLSection 1 provides overview chapters on the background information needed to intelligently understand the issues and controversies surrounding gene therapy, such as the history of theories of the gene and recent developments in clinical trials BLSection 2 offers capsule examinations of the contemporary issues and debates that provoke the most heated disagreements and misunderstandings, such as whether or not humans should "tinker" with genetic material and who pays for genetic therapies. BLSection 3 includes reference material on stem cells, including primary source documents from important players in the struggle over gene therapy, a timeline of important events, and an annotated bibliography of useful print and electronic resources. This volume in the Health and Medical Issues Today series provides everything a student requires to understand the issues involved in gene therapy and provides a springboard for further research into the issue. ... Read more

Book Description

The development of gene medicine based on the concept of molecular therapy has opened new medical horizons. Among the many techniques in gene medicine, gene design and delivery are especially significant in clinical applications. This book presents state-of-the-art information on non-viral gene-delivery techniques, covering a broad spectrum of disciplines that include chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and pharmacokinetics. Major sections introduce molecules for gene delivery and their properties; technologies of controlled gene delivery in vitro and in vivo; therapeutic genes and the status of clinical applications; and the design of genes based on current RNA technology, with revolutionary developments in the world of RNAi shown to be key factors in gene medicine. This groundbreaking work is an invaluable resource for researchers and engineers in genetic engineering, molecular medicine, biochemical engineering, and biotechnology.

Book Description
Adenoviral Vectors for Gene Therapy provides detailed and comprehensive coverage of these important therapeutic agents.The topics covered in this book range from the basic biology of adenoviruses, through the construction and purification of adenoviral vectors, cutting-edge vectorology and the use of adenoviral vectors in preclinical animal models, to regulatory issues which must be considered prior to the initiation of human clinical gene therapy trials.The broad scope of this unique volume provides the reader with a complete understanding of the development and use of adenoviral vectors.

Key Features
* Provides complete coverage of basic biology of adenoviruses, as well as the construction, propagation and purification of adenoviral vectors
* Introduces common strategies for the development of adenoviral vectors along with cutting-edge methods for their improvement
* Demonstrates noninvasive imaging of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer
* Discusses utility of adenoviral vectors in animal disease models
* Considers Federal Drug Administration regulations for human clinical trials ... Read more

Product Description
In this thoughtful and practice-based collection, popular authors and teachers Jill Freedman and Gene Combs introduce the reader to the complexities and possibilities of narrative therapy with couples. Five separate papers offer thorough explorations of theory and practice. Detailed examples of therapeutic work with heterosexual couples are provided. ... Read more

Book Description
Gene therapy, or the use of genetic manipulation for disease treatment, is derived from advances in genetics, molecular biology, clinical medicine, and human genomics. Molecular medicine, the application of molecular biological techniques to disease treatment and diagnosis, is derived from the development of human organ transplantation, pharmacotherapy, and elucidation of the human genome. An Introduction to Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy provides a basis for interpreting new clinical and basic research findings in the areas of cloning, gene transfer, and targeting; the applications of genetic medicine to clinical conditions; ethics and governmental regulations; and the burgeoning fields of genomics, biotechnology, and bioinformatics. By dividing the material into three sections - an introduction to basic science, a review of clinical applications, and a discussion of the evolving issues related to gene therapy and molecular medicine-this comprehensive manual describes the basic approaches to the broad range of actual and potential genetic-based therapies.

In addition, An Introduction to Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy:

• Covers new frontiers in gene therapy, animal models, vectors, gene targeting, and ethical/legal considerations
• Provides organ-based reviews of current studies in gene therapy for monogenetic, multifactoral or polygenic disorders, and infectious diseases
• Includes bold-faced terms, key concepts, summaries, and lists of helpful references by subject in each chapter
• Contains appendices on commercial implications and a review of the history of gene therapy

This textbook offers a clear, concise writing style, drawing upon the expertise of the authors, all renowned researchers in their respective specialties of molecular medicine. Researchers in genetics and molecular medicine will all find An Introduction to Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy to be an essential guide to the rapidly evolving field of gene therapy and its applications in molecular medicine. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent overview of a fascinating field
I did not have any special prior knowledge in biology or genetics. I needed to quickly get up to speed in this area for a professional reason. Parts of the book were a little difficult to understand at times, especially when it used many technical terms, but overall it provided me with an excellent overview of this fascinating and rapidly evolving field. I reduced one star because of not seeing enough illustrations and diagrams which in my view are essential in any text that includes complex concepts. With this book I also read "Genomes" to complement the basics of Genomics and together these two books did the trick!! Strongly reccomended to anyone who is interested in the field.

.
The greatest difficulty with this field is that it is currently evolving at a rapid rate. Thus, books on the subject run the risk of being outdated before publication. However, Kresina and co-authors have done a solid job of reviewing existing methodologies, ethics and regulation of gene therapy as well as identifying some of the diseases for which this novel type of therapy could be applied. --Grant MacGregor, Emory University

An outstanding introduction
I am very impressed with the breadth of subjects that Dr. Kresina covered and how he was able to relate their associations with either molecular medicine and/or gene therapy.More importantly, he draws the two disciplines together in a logical and constructive manner.The book is not only an outstanding introduction to molecular medicine and gene therapy, but will be a valued reference guide for much of the information contained in the chapters. The topics are timely and most of the authors extremely well known and respected in their respective fields.While the second section of the book is primarily the clinical application, it draws very nicely from the more basic science introductory chapters.Chapters 13-15 and the Appendix provide a discussion of issues which undoubtedly will become significantly associated with advances in molecular medicine and gene therapy.The book is laid out in an easy-to-read format and provides ready access to a variety of different subjects.The index is inclusive and the chapters cover their individual areas in an up-to-date manner..."An Introduction..." should remain an outstanding introduction and reference text for a variety of students - from undergraduate to postdoctoral to all levels of faculty and investigators.--Clifford J. Steer, M.D., University of Minnesota Medical School ... Read more

Book Description
Researchers from academia and biotechnology describe proven molecular methods for the construction, development, and use of virus vectors for gene transfer and gene therapy. Offering detailed step-by-step instructions to ensure successful results, these experts detail the use of herpes viruses, adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, simple and complex retroviruses, including lentiviruses, and other virus systems for vector development and gene transfer. Additional chapters demonstrate the use of virus vectors in the brain and central nervous system. Comprehensive and highly practical, Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy: Methods and Protocols provides not only researchers with the basic tools needed to design targeted gene delivery vectors, but also clinicians with an understanding of how to apply viral vectors to the treatment of genetic disorders. ... Read more

Book Description

After three volumes on adenoviruses in 1995 the past years have seen rapid progress in the field of adenovirus research. Moreover, adenoviruses have attracted considerable interest as vectors in gene transfer regimens. After the first volume on virion and structure, viral replication and host-cell interaction this second volume deals with the immune system, oncogenesis and gene therapy.

Book Description

Advances in genetics, molecular biology and gene delivery technologies in recent years have led to new gene therapy strategies for treatment of a variety of diseases. This book gives a comprehensive overview of the present status and future directions of gene delivery systems and therapeutic strategies for the clinical application of gene therapy in cancer, cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases. Stem cell-based therapies and gene expression regulatory systems as novel platform technologies for various gene therapy applications are also discussed. Leading experts give excellent overviews of basic molecular aspects and clinical applications in this new emerging biomedical field.

Product Description
From the Preface

Cancer-directed gene delivery is the most active area of the field of gene therapy. There are a wide variety of approaches in this major sub-field. Oncolytic viruses, anti-oncogene delivery, suicide gene delivery, dendritic cell antigen loading, T cell delivery, B cell genetic alteration, cytokine gene delivery into cancer cells, siRNA gene delivery, and others, are all active areas within it. All vectors are represented as well; most importantly, adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, and retroviruses. The intention was to generate a book which, as much as possible, includes representatives of most of these different anti-cancer approaches, different transgene types, and different vectors. The approach was to provide a platform for active researchers in the field to present wherever they desired, largely without guidance. The contributors did in fact seem to enjoy and embrace this approach. Given this we can expect their favorite subjects will be presented. Reviews were welcome, as were the presentation of new data. Even the use of cancer cells and oncogenes as tools for vector production are discussed. The freedom to write about whatever they wanted was important as such subjects are likely to be the most timely. It is hoped that the readers of this book can confirm and extend what they know about the field of cancer gene therapy, and potentially predict what areas of cancer gene therapy will have the most efficacy in the future. Cancer and Gene Therapy is a snap shot in time of a rapidly developing field which, I think, will continue to be the vangard of gene therapy. I suspect that combinatorial anti-cancer gene therapy treatments will be the final outcome. In any case we hope for the success of all of these approaches and the elimination of morbidity and mortality from this most unmerciful disease. ... Read more

Book Description
What is gene therapy? How are genes delivered? Which diseases can be treated? What is the status of current clinical trials? What are the ethical issues? What are the future prospects? Understanding Gene Therapy answers all these questions and more, providing an ideal introduction to this complex and rapidly developing field. Written and edited by leading experts, the book provides a highly readable and comprehensive overview of the subject and is clearly and simply illustrated in two colors throughout.

Understanding Gene Therapy is a suitable introductory text for medical students and clinicians, and essential reading for genetics students, and researchers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fantastic book on understanding gene therapy
This was a great book, and gave the truth about the pros and cons of gene therapy and the progress that has been achieved.This book is appropriate for undergrads with a strong science background, medical students, science graduate students, and physicians and researchers and would be very important reading on this quickly emerging field.Included are some nice diagrams and some up-to-date key references in the field that will encompass the future of medicine. ... Read more