Scientists genetically engineer hookworms to produce therapeutic drugs inside living hosts
By
Stephanie Edwards
Summary
Scientists have successfully genetically modified hookworms — parasites that infect humans — to act as living drug factories that produce and deliver therapeutic molecules inside the body. Published in Nature Communications, this first-ever genetic engineering of the parasite opens the door to long-term drug delivery for chronic illnesses, with the modified hookworms shown to produce toxin-fighting antibodies inside animal hosts.
Source
bskyScientists genetically engineer hookworms to produce therapeutic drugs inside living hostsdiscovermagazine.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledHookworms are usually known for causing disease, not preventing it.
Scientists have now transformed the notorious parasite into something unexpected: tiny living drug factories capable of producing medicine inside the body.
The work marks the first successful genetic engineering of the parasite and raises the possibility that future treatments for chronic illnesses could come from this unusual source.
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