Genetic Engineering and Nanotechnology: When Science-Fiction Meets Reality!

Abstract

Genetic engineering represents the direct manipulation of an organism’s genome using biotechnology. The manipulation usually consists in modifying the genetic background of cells by transferring/ inserting or deleting one or more genes, genetic fragments or even altering a single nucleotide, in order to produce improved or novel organisms. For instance, we recently showed the possibility to engineer stem cells to enhance the anti-tumor immune response and lifespan of animals.