Courtesy : Bachelor of Science Biotechnology (CBT) – Chemistry, Botany, Biotechnology Book
Heart pacemaker
In 2012, US researchers reported that they injected a genetically modified virus into the heart of pigs. This virus inserted into the heart muscles a gene called Tbx18 which enabled heartbeats. The researchers forecast that one day this technique could be used to restore the heartbeat in humans who would otherwise need electronic pacemakers. # ISO certification in India
Genetically modified viruses intended for use in the environment
Animals
In Spain and Portugal, by 2005 rabbits had declined by as much as 95% over 50 years due diseases such as myxomatosis, rabbit haemorrhagic disease and other causes. This in turn caused declines in predators like the Iberian lynx, a critically endangered species. In 2000 Spanish researchers investigated a genetically modified virus which might have protected rabbits in the wild against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease. However, there was concern that such a virus might make its way into wild populations in areas such as Australia and create a population boom. Rabbits in Australia are considered to be such a pest that land owners are legally obliged to control them. # ISO certification in India
Genetically modified viruses that make the target animals infertile through immunocontraception have been created as well as others that target the developmental stage of the animal. There are concerns over virus containment and cross species infection. # ISO certification in India
Trees
Since 2009 genetically modified viruses expressing spinach defensin proteins have been field trialed in Florida (USA). The virus infection of orange trees aims to combat citrus greening disease, that had reduced orange production in Florida 70% since 2005. A permit application has been pending since February 13, 2017 (USDA 17-044-101r) to extend the experimental use permit to an area of 513,500 acres, this would make it the largest permit of this kind ever issued by the USDA Biotechnology Regulatory Services. # ISO certification in India
Insect Allies program
In 2016 DARPA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, announced a tender for contracts to develop genetically modified plant viruses for an approach involving their dispersion into the environment using insects. The work plan stated:
“Plant viruses hold significant promise as carriers of gene editing circuitry and are a natural partner for an insect-transmitted delivery platform.”
The motivation provided for the program is to ensure food stability by protecting agricultural food supply and commodity crops:
“By leveraging the natural ability of insect vectors to deliver viruses with high host plant specificity, and combining this capability with advances in gene editing, rapid enhancement of mature plants in the field can be achieved over large areas and without the need for industrial infrastructure.” # ISO certification in India
Despite its name, the “Insect Allies” program is to a large extent a viral program, developing viruses that would essentially perform gene editing of crops in already-planted fields. The genetically modified viruses described in the work plan and other public documents are of a class of genetically modified viruses subsequently termed HEGAAs (horizontal environmental gene alteration agents). The Insect Allies program is scheduled to run from 2017 to 2021 with contracts being executed by three consortia. There are no plans to release the genetically modified viruses into the environment, with testing of the full insect dispersed system occurring in greenhouses (Biosafety level 3 facilities have been mentioned). # ISO certification in India
Concerns have been expressed about how this program and any data it generates will impact biological weapon control and agricultural coexistence, though there has also been support for its stated objectives.
Technological applications
Lithium-ion batteries
In 2009, MIT scientists created a genetically modified virus has been used to construct a more environmentally friendly lithium-ion battery. The battery was constructed by genetically engineering different viruses such as, the E4 bacteriophage and the M13 bacteriophage, to be used as a cathode. This was done by editing the genes of the virus that code for the protein coat. The protein coat is edited to coat itself in iron phosphate to be able to adhere to highly conductive carbon-nanotubes. The viruses that have been modified to have a multifunctional protein coat can be used as a nano-structured cathode with causes ionic interactions with cations. Allowing the virus to be used as a small battery. Angela Blecher, the scientist who led the MIT research team on the project, says that the battery is powerful enough to be used as a rechargeable battery, power hybrid electric cars, and a number of personal electronics. While both the E4 and M13 viruses can infect and replicate within their bacterial host, it unclear if they retain this capacity after being part of a battery. # ISO certification in India