STEM CELLS, GENE MUTATION TO THE RESCUE

A LOT OF EXCITING research is happening in the field of gastroenterology, says Dr Reddy. Some of these include the study of diseases linked to genes and gene mutations. Chronic pancreatitis or inflammation in the pancreas and even pancreatic cancers are also linked to genetic factors. Therefore, simple yet powerful tools like CRISPR technology are increasingly researched by scientists and doctors so that the same could be used to edit genomes wherein DNA sequences are altered and the gene function is modified to treat and prevent such diseases. Other than that, stem cells are also used to treat patients who have cirrhosis of the liver and inflammatory bowel disease, an inflammation of the digestive tract.