Adenovirus |
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The virus which causes the common cold. |
Antibody |
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A Y-shaped protein on the surface of B cells that is secreted into the blood or lymph in response to the presence of an antigen. Each antibody binds to a specific antigen to induce cell apoptosis (cell death). |
Antigen |
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A protein on the surface of a cell capable of inducing a specific immune response. |
Apoptosis |
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The process leading to controlled cellular self-destruction (cell "suicide"). |
Cancer |
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A family of diseases in which cells grow and spread uncontrollably throughout the body disrupting the balance between new cell growth and old cell death. |
DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) |
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The building block of living organisms that carries the genetic information in a cell and is able to self replicate and synthesize RNA. |
Ex vivo |
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Outside the living body. |
Gene |
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A hereditary unit (comprised of DNA) that carries the instructions for making the thousands of proteins needed for a specific cellular functions. Certain diseases are associated with the absence or malfunction of a specific gene. |
Gene Expression |
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The presence of a gene. In gene therapy, a gene delivered to a targeted cell or tissue may continue to be produced (or expressed) by that cell or tissue for an extended period time, or potentially forever. |
Glial-derived
neurotrophic factor (GDNF) |
|
A protein which stimulates nerve growth. |
Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) |
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A hormone which plays a key role in stimulating the body's immune response to vaccines. |
Immunotherapy |
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An approach to the treatment of disease that seeks to stimulate and enhance the body's natural immune system to fight the disease. |
In vitro |
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Observable in a test tube. |
In vivo |
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Inside the living body. |
Lentiviral Vector |
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A viral gene delivery system engineered for in vivo delivery of therapeutic genes into both dividing and nondividing cells. Lentiviruses have the capability to insert a significant amount of genetic information directly into the DNA blueprint of the host's cells making the lentivirus one of the most efficient methods of gene delivery. |
Metastasis |
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The process by which cancer spreads from a primary location in the body to other healthy tissues located elsewhere in the body via the lymphatic and circulatory systems. |
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) |
|
The prototype for the neurotrophin family of polypeptides which are essential in the developments and survival of certain sympathetic and sensory neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. |
Oncolytic Virus |
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Genetically modified virus engineered to selectively replicate in and kill targeted cancer cells. Oncolytic viruses have been found to be thousands of times more specific for killing cancer cells than standard chemotherapeutic drugs. |
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) |
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A chemical substance produced only in the prostate. A prostate-specific antigen level above normal may indicate prostate enlargement or cancer, and signals prompt further investigation. |
Proteins |
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Complex molecules responsible for specific and unique functions within the body. Examples of proteins include hormones, enzymes, and antibodies. |
Therapeutic Index |
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The relative efficiency of one mode of treatment compared to another. |
Vaccine |
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A treatment intended to mimic and thereby prevent a natural infection, without the risks of a natural infection. |
Vector |
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The vehicle by which genes are transported into cells thereby allowing cellular genetic modification to occur. Viral vectors are viruses rendered incapable of reproducing themselves and non viral vectors are "naked" DNA or lipid coated DNA. |
Virus |
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A microorganism that requires a host organism in order to grow and replicate. A replicating virus integrates its genetic information (DNA or RNA) into the host cell "overriding" the host cell's biological mechanism in order to reproduce new virus particles. |
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