In this issue of our newsletter we'll take a closer look at some of the newest and most helpful web sites for community college biology instructors. This section is a full multimedia site incorporating graphics, audio, and video. Despite significant advances in diagnostics, surgical procedures, chemotherapy, radiation, and biological therapeutics, cancer looms as the number one killer of the future. An increasingly important alternative is the delivery of therapeutic molecules via smaller, regional doses to a tumor site. With the Accell gene gun, Agracetus, Inc., has developed a technology that can provide such delivery.
Gene guns work by a unique combination of physics and biology.
Key advantages for gene guns in biological cancer treatments emanate from three product attributes. First is the ability to point and deliver localized, intracellular therapy. A common downside to many current treatments is that they affect both tumor cells and normal cells. The gene gun can, however, deliver the gene therapy only to tumor cells or other cells nearby. Second, as millions of particles are delivered per treatment, a multivalent approach to therapy can be used.