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Unleash the Future of Healthcare: Explore NGS Applications in Gene and Cell Therapy

The world of medicine is undergoing a transformative revolution, and at the heart of this revolution is Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). NGS has rapidly evolved from a groundbreaking technology to an indispensable tool in various fields, and one of its most promising applications is in cell and gene therapy. In this blog post, we will explore how NGS is revolutionizing the field of cell and gene therapy, paving the way for personalized and more effective treatments.

How does gene and cell therapy work?

Human gene and cell therapy work in similar ways to each other. They aim to

  • Replace disease causing genes or diseased cells with healthy ones
  • Inactivate or remove disease causing genes or cells
  • Modulate the activity of genes or cells or introduce new or modified genes or cells to help treat a disease

Gene and cell therapy products include plasmid DNAs, viral or bacterial vectors, gene editing technologies, cellular immunotherapies, cancer vaccines, and stem cells.

What are NGS applications in gene and cell therapy?

Personalized Medicine

NGS plays a pivotal role in the development of personalized cell and gene therapies. By sequencing a patient's genome, researchers can identify genetic variations responsible for diseases and design therapies tailored to the individual's unique genetic makeup. This precision medicine approach ensures better treatment outcomes and minimizes adverse effects.

Target Identification

NGS helps researchers identify specific genetic targets for cell and gene therapies. By analyzing the genomic data of patients with particular diseases, scientists can pinpoint the genetic mutations or dysregulations that drive the disease. This knowledge guides the development of therapies that target these specific genetic alterations.

Monitoring Treatment Efficacy

Tracking the effectiveness of cell and gene therapies is crucial. NGS enables real-time monitoring of a patient's response to treatment by sequencing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) or other relevant biomarkers. This provides valuable insights into treatment outcomes and allows for timely adjustments if needed.

Vector Optimization

In gene therapy, delivering therapeutic genes into target cells is often achieved using viral vectors. NGS helps in optimizing these vectors by analyzing their genomic integration sites, ensuring the safe and effective delivery of therapeutic genes while minimizing the risk of adverse events.

Identifying Biomarkers

NGS can identify potential biomarkers that predict patient responses to cell and gene therapies. This information can aid in patient selection, stratification, and the development of companion diagnostics to ensure that the right patients receive the right treatments.

Quality Control

Ensuring the quality and safety of cell and gene therapies is paramount. NGS is used for quality control purposes, such as verifying the genetic stability of engineered cells and detecting unintended genomic alterations that may occur during the manufacturing process.

Get in touch!

The future of healthcare is unfolding before our eyes, and you have the opportunity to be a part of it. By exploring the applications of NGS in gene and cell therapy, you are taking a giant leap toward a healthier, more personalized approach to medicine. At GenomeScan, we are at the forefront of NGS applications in gene and cell therapy. Our team of experts is dedicated to harnessing the power of NGS to develop cutting-edge treatments and therapies that will change lives. Whether you are a researcher, a healthcare provider, or someone seeking innovative treatment options, we invite you to get in touch with us via geneticQC@genomescan.nl or the form below.



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