A researcher from Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has discovered that carrageenan, a common extract of red seaweed, may be used as a delivery agent in gene therapy. Annabelle V. Briones, a research scientist at DOST Industrial Technology Development Institute, found that carrageenan, an extract of the Eucheuma variety of red seaweed, may be used in the delivery of genetic material in gene therapy. Gene therapy is a treatment in which new DNA is introduced into diseased cells, with the intention of reproducing new, healthy cells. As Briones explained, although the therapy has been known for decades, it is extremely difficult to carry out because handling genetic material for transfer is a delicate and complicated process. Her discovery has already been granted a patent.

Kritz, B. (2017, June 6). Gene therapy key discovered in seaweed. Manila Times, p. A8.