Jen is a gene embarking on an expedition to illustrate the full benefits of genetic technologies for people and the planet. Like all other genes, Jen is a segment of DNA carrying genetic information. Scientists have been studying Jen and its potential for a long time. 

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Improving lives

During the first stop of their journey, Jen presents the enormous potential of gene therapies. They are one of the most innovative biotech discoveries, that can improve the quality of patients’ lives, by moving from disease management to disease treatment. Indeed, gene therapies can cure, treat, and prevent diseases caused by missing or defective genes by adding or replacing those genes with functional ones.

Finding solutions for patients

In their second stop, Jen illustrates how latest biotech advancements allow scientists to use genes and parts of genes to create vaccines to activate human immune systems and fight infections. Genes can be also inserted into microorganisms to biomanufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients used to produce many other medicines.

Finding cures for diseases

In the third stop, Jen presents an example of genome editing: CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats). CRISPRs allow scientists to make specific, targeted changes in genes. Genome editing is, indeed, considered the easiest, fastest, and most economical way to edit genes and cure genetic diseases. These technologies have opened the door to innovative pathways in healthcare including personalised medicines reducing side-effects in patients.

Preserving the environment

In the final stop of the quest, Jen explains how they are not only fundamental in the healthcare sector but also in many other sectors. Genes can, indeed, be inserted into microorganisms to turn them into factories to produce many kinds of products. One example is enzymes: they can preserve the environment by decomposing toxic substances, cleaning up industrial sites, producing biodegradable plastics, and more.

As this journey comes to an end, Jen is already planning a new adventure. The combination of gene therapies with other biotechnologies but also AI advancements will pave the way to transformative biotech solutions. The future of biotech is now!