Bioinformatics, Bio-medicine and Gene Manipulation in Drug Development and Future Medical Care

BIOINFORMATICS, BIO - MEDICINE, AND GENEmore rational approach in drug discovery and clinical
MANIPULATIONS IN DRUG DEVELOPMENT ANDapplication. In future it is possible to target the
FUTURE MEDICAL CARE.diseases like Diabetes and Cancer before the onset
Dr.T.V.Rao, MDof physical disease (phenotypic expression). The
Bioinformatics is an emerging science which bringsscientific visions include interfering with the sick cell,
together the fields of Microbiology, Molecular Biology,sparing the healthy cells, making the therapy least
Bio Technology and Genetics under the fold oftoxic and harmful. The discovery in this direction lead
computers and Software Advances in Computerto discovery of Monoclonal antibodies, choosing the
Technology. Thanks to James Watson - Crick in basicparticular receptor on the cancer cell responsible for
understanding of the Bacterial DNA (genome). Thepropagation of disease. Already 12 such drugs are
coding of Chromosomes through the Superavailable in developed countries prominent being
Computers; Databases and Software TechnologyHerceptin, if blocks the HE-2/neu receptor, which is
perfecting the code of life, now Bioinformatics hasprominent on some breast cancer cells. Tepper’s
become a big enterprise. Research reports, from allgroup is on the way to find a Monoclonal which can
round the world (300 Laboratories) presentedblock the common receptor for cancers like breast,
recently during a major genome conference at Coldprostate, lung and colon to create a super drug for
spring harbor laboratory showed clearly that anmany cancers. With better understanding on
exciting technology is born. We doctors in the pastBioinformatics Anti Cancer Drug discoveries will be
looking the problems of life and disease throughtarget oriented with least toxic effects.
clinical medicine, few laboratory tests and other6. Genomic Based Drug Discovery: Alfred Gilman, a
technical advances. The Bioinformatics is changing thepharmacologist and winner of 1994 noble prize for his
entire concept, in future we may be compelled towork on Cellular Signaling Mechanism, is now working
view life and disease through the Chemistry ofwith goal to trace the map of chemical pathways in
Genes. The facts about the human genome projectthe cells and use the knowledge to create virtual cell
were made public on the Internet by US departmentwith all the pathways in a computer. Now the drug
of energy and National Institute of Health, making thecompanies are using the Bioinformatics algorithms to
approach easier to any scientist or Doctor to learnpredict the functions of proteins encoded by newly
the genomic science to utmost detail.discovered genes. Many drugs discovers are moving
1. Basic findings of Genome Project: a) Basis of life isto fast growing new area of Computer Science to
equal between two individuals upto 99.9% extent,fuel their endless quest for newer drugs and better
secret of difference lies in only 0.1%, contributing totargets.
our individuality. b) There are approximately 30,0007. Major Diseases on the List of Pharmaceutical
Genes. c) Genetic Mutations are common in males, soIndustry
men are agents of change. d) so Genetic diseasesThe following diseases are being targeted by many
are common in men.drug firms with Bioinformatics include: AIDS, Mental
2. Computer Speaks (Bio information): With feedingIllnesses, Auto Immune Disease, Obesity, Alzheimer
of complicated information to a computer, it speaks’s disease, Heart Disease and Parkinson’s
that life is a pack of information with a clearDisease.
message that book of the life written in the complexFrom Experiments to Reality
DNA consisting of four letters. A.T.G.C.The sequence of events from Discovery of Noble
A = Adenine; T =Thymine; G = Guanine; C =Laureate Joshua Lederberg (1958) on exchange of
Cytosine.DNA within such chromosome pairs leads to process
At present we have > 85% of information on 23of homology recombination expressing in Genetic
pairs of Human Chromosomes. In future sciencevariation in the population. The present events of
expects that Physician can solve many mysteries ofdiscovery by Mario Capecchi and Oliver Smithies
disease just looking into a computer and the greatestapplied the homology recombination in mammalian cell.
advantage lies in detection of most of the GeneticThe homologues recombination could take place
disorders. In future many diagnostic tests may bebetween introduced DNA the cell Chromosome may
done by Bioinformed computers, the chip locatingeven repair with the help of induced genes and
abnormal base pairs at different gene locations. Nowawarded the Nobel Prize in 2007. The present study
in many Nations scientific organizations of repute areby them has targeted role of Genes involved in
on a path to Bioinformatics with aim to make theMammalian organ development. Several human inborn
recent science available to many.errors an be targeted in events of malformation. If
3. Bioinformatics and Gene Therapy: Gene therapythe future experiments are successful mouse models
suffered with many problems in the past will have awill be used for gene targeting The art of Medicine
greater revival with better understanding of humanwill be enriched with biology as source of future
genome. Many gene therapy trails will become virtualdevelopments in Medicine.
realities.Changing Role of Biology on Medicine: We are
4. Bioinformatics and Proteomics: The knowledge ofunderstanding more of Genes and inheretence.The
information about the Genes and Science ofquest to discover disease linked genes reaches all
Genomics lead to science of proteomics To cataloguetime high. Now it is understood the 3 million DNA
and analyse every protein in human system. Thebases in the Human genome have identified that
science of proteomics (Structural Genomics) willabout only one tenth, of one percent (Million) differ
revolutionise the understanding of Hormones,from one person to another. Variation in these
Immunoglobulins targeting infections and Enzymesparticular letters called SNIPS or SNP’s, for single
that build or break down energy reserves. We arenucleotide polymorphisms have replaced genes as unit
aware now, that there are too, many proteins whichof heredity.
guide our life (50,000 to about 2 millions). But fewRole of Bioinformatics and Bio-Medicine on the Medical
Proteins play the real orchestra, modifying differentProfession: In the near future, every standard text
actions. Already many Bio Technology firms havebook on Medicine, articles, journals published from
started proteomics programme, if the eventsreputed medical institutions emphasize the origin of
succeed to desired expectations there will be betterdisease on Genetic basis locating, few base pairs of
quality of life serving to minute details.Genes responsible for any complicated disease. The
5. Human Genome Project - Drugs of Future: Attreatment approaches will be on targets of
present we use certain drugs with a broadpathological process rather than vague remedies. We
understanding to target only 500 proteins in theteachers in medicine should concentrate in
body, out of the 30,000 proteins already known tounderstanding the role of Genes in disease and
us. Because of the better understanding of Genome,spread the message to our students. Let us learn to
Scientists have a good understanding on whatunderstand many diseases have a genetic basis and
happens if drug acting down to molecular level. Tillunlock the problem with a right key. Let there be
now many drugs are experimented on trial and errormore workshops, CME’s & Seminars on
basis mainly intervening at the level of signs andorientation of Bioinformatics and Biomedicine to our
symptoms, and few at cellular levels.Doctors, so that we do not remain as Apes in front
With advances in Genomic Medicine there will beof a Bioinformed Computer.