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Summary: (video) Could weaponized killer T-cells, medical nanorobots, lab-grown organs, and gene editing be in our future? A new film clip from CATS gives us a glimpse of what science has in store. This article first appeared on LongevityFacts.com, follow us on Google+ or Reddit. Author: Brady Hartman.

The Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences gives us a fantastic video preview of the future of medicine.

In a new film clip to promote the launch of the Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences (CATS), researchers announce what they are working on and draw a vision of the future for the next five decades. Medical nanorobots that patrol our bodies, weaponized killer T-cells that hunt and destroy cancer cells, and gene editing techniques that cut out defective genes are just some of futuristic technologies that Cambridge geroscientists are working on. In case the video link is down, the video is here: https://youtu.be/ZGGDKC3GlrI.

Weaponized Killer T-Cells, Nanobots, Gene Editing and More

Professor Chris Lowe, Director of the Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences, points out that these developments have the potential to transform nearly every aspect of healthcare,

“right the way from how you handle the patient to actually delivering the final therapeutic product – and that’s the exciting thing”. – Professor Chris Lowe.

Medical Nanorobots

Professor Jeremy Baumberg from CATS NanoPhotonics Center discusses a future in which medical diagnoses are carried out by medical nanorobots that patrol our bodies. Medical nanorobots, such as the bacteriobot, have already been developed, however, these first generation nanobots are used to treat cancers and not diagnose them. The nanodoc of the future will search for trouble, diagnose the problem and perform the repair.

While future medical nanobots offer great potential, the current crop is poised to become blockbusters. A physician in Montreal is planning clinical trials of the bacteriobot, a medical nanorobot based on an engineered bacteria that promises to eradicate aggressive solid cancers with thoroughness and precision

Growing Artificial Organs With Tissue Engineering

The concept of using stem cells to treat diseases is still in its infancy. Professor Michelle Oyen from the CATS Department of Engineering speaks about using artificial scaffolds to create off-the-shelf replacement organs that are superior to donated ones. As a recent report on the rejuvenation potential of stem cells shows, this new technology holds a great deal of promise. The CATS video also features Dr. Sanjay Sinha from the Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute who sees us using stem cell patches to repair damaged hearts and return their function to normal. While regenerative medicine offers a great deal of potential, a recent article on the rejuvenation potential stem cells provides more insight.

Gene Editing

Next up is Dr. Alasdair Russell from the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute who describes the recent breakthroughs in CRISPR-Cas9, a novel gene editing tool that will allow doctors to snip out defective regions of our genome, and replace them with healthy genes. CRISPR offers the promise of a tailored treatment to prevent or cure diseases with a genetic component. Dr. Russel is backed up by Dr. Kathy Liddell, an attorney from the Cambridge Centre for Law, Medicine, and Life Sciences, who highlights how lawyers are researching the ethics of gene editing.

Related Article: Gene editing has become so simple and inexpensive that amateurs can do it. Learn about one 60-year old man who is self-experimenting with gene therapy to raise his HGH levels in this report.

Weaponized Killer T-Cells

Not content with mechanized nanobots, Professor Gillian Griffiths, the Director of the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research envisages the weaponization of our body’s killer T-cells. These cells are already the supercops of the immune system, and Professor Griffiths envisages tweaking the body’s natural born killers and weaponizing them to hunt down and destroy the most evasive cancers.

Bottom Line

The future holds promise with the potential of medical nanorobots, weaponized killer T-cells, lab-grown organs, and gene editing techniques using CRISPR.

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References

All photo/video materials, including the cover photo provided by Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences.

Andrea Walker/Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences. Synthetic organs, nanobots and DNA ‘scissors’: the future of medicine. [Press Release]. Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences. 10/12/2017. Web. Retrieved 10/15/2017. Available Online.

Disclaimer

Diagnosis, Advice, and Treatment: This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for qualified professional medical advice. The information and opinions expressed in this article should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. At the moment, certain medical nanorobots, various weaponized killer T-cells, certain gene editing techniques and other medical technologies mentioned herein are considered experimental therapies. Experimental therapies carry a much higher risk than FDA-approved ones. Consult a qualified and licensed physician for the diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Dial 911, or an equivalent emergency hotline number, for all medical emergencies. As well, consult a licensed physician before changing your diet, supplement or exercise programs. Endorsements, Photos, and External Links: This article does not intend to endorse companies, organizations, or their products. Links to external websites, depiction or mention of company names or brands, are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.