Biotechnology has a large impact on many aspects of our lives. A prominent example includes the significant advances in developing various screening methods, including non-invasive diagnostics, high-throughput (HTS), and drug screening.
Non-Invasive Diagnostics:
Some developments in non-invasive diagnostics involve the development of liquid biopsies, revolutionizing the field of clinical oncology. The process of liquid biopsies consists of isolating circulating tumor cells (or tumor DNA) found in body fluids of patients with cancer, followed by an analysis of the genomic data it contains. Liquid biopsies from cancer patients help detect cancer and improve treatment options. It will also hopefully lead to newer avenues in the detection of disease recurrences, as well as continuing to monitor genetic mutation identification and treatment responses. The impact of biotechnology in non-invasive diagnostics can also be seen in advancements made in imaging technologies such as MRI, and CT scans. MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of organs and tissues used for imaging soft tissues like the brain. MRI scans are commonly used for diagnosing brain tumors, spinal cord injuries, and joint abnormalities as with these scans there is no exposure to ionizing radiation. CT or Computed Tomography scans are often used in emergency situations to detect bone fractures, tumors, or internal bleeding. CT scans combine X-ray images taken from multiple angles to create quick detailed images of bones, organs, and blood vessels.
HTS:
Biotechnology is seen in High-Throughput Screening (HTS), mainly in automation and miniaturization, allowing researchers to screen a higher amount of compounds quickly and accurately. Automation now can integrate more machines like robotic arms, liquid handlers, and automated plate readers. These components help speed up the screening process and reduce the amount of manual intervention needed. Meanwhile advances in miniaturization have led to the development of Ultra-HTS, making it possible to test millions of compounds every day, significantly speeding up the drug discovery process. These improvements help increase the speed and efficiency of HTS while making it more accessible to smaller research institutions and academic labs.
Organoids:
Finally, biotechnology has also helped advance drug screening in terms of the development of organoids. Organoids are miniature versions of organs used to mimic the complex architecture of human tissues, helping us produce more accurate predictions of how drugs will behave in the human body. For instance, the development of a certain type of organoids called Patient-Derived organoids (PDOs), can retain the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of the original tumors. This allows people to try different medicines and develop personalized medicine approaches—significantly improving outcomes.
Advancements made in non-invasive diagnostics, HTS, and drug screening through biotech have helped make screening more accurate, efficient, and predictive.
Edited by Aadya Hebbar
References
Lone, Saife N., et al. “Liquid Biopsy: A Step Closer to Transform Diagnosis, Prognosis and Future of Cancer Treatments.” Molecular Cancer, vol. 21, no. 1, 18 Mar. 2022, molecular-cancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12943-022-01543-7, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-022-01543-7.
“PET CT Scan for Cancer: PET vs CT vs MRI Scan.” Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 26 Mar. 2021, www.cancercenter.com/diagnosing-cancer/diagnostic-imaging/pet-ct-scan.
Yang, Yujia, et al. “Advances and Applications of Cancer Organoids in Drug Screening and Personalized Medicine.” Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, 27 Mar. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12015-024-10714-6. Accessed 8 May 2024.
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