Gene Therapy explained: Changing our bodies’ recipe to treat disease

Gene therapy helps to treat some inherited diseases passed on from parent to child that don’t have a treatment or cure yet. Many different gene therapies are currently in development all over the world for many inherited diseases such as those that affect the ability of our blood’s immune system to fight off infections that make us ill.

The animation shows, Alexis and Freddie, two members of the Young Persons’ Advisory Group (YPAG) at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children asking questions to understand what gene therapy is about. All members of the group were involved in shaping the animation and they regularly work with doctors, nurses and scientists helping to improve health care research for children.

  • Linda von Neree
    Director
  • Katie Snell
    Director
  • Linda von Neree
    Writer
  • Katie Snell
    Writer
  • Adrian Thrasher
    Writer
  • Young Persons’ Advisory Group (YPAG) at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
    Writer
  • KindeaLabs
    Producer
  • Katie Snell
    Key Cast
    "Katie"
  • Alexis, Young Persons’ Advisory Group
    Key Cast
    "Alexis"
  • Freddie, Young Persons’ Advisory Group
    Key Cast
    "Freddie"
  • Gene therapy patient
    Key Cast
    "Liv"
  • Project Type:
    Animation
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 19 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 21, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    3,200 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Virtual via twitter

    January 21, 2021
Distribution Information
  • Youtube
    Distributor
    Rights: Internet
Director Biography - Linda von Neree, Katie Snell

Linda von Nerée is Patient and Public Involvement Lead at NIHR Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Stem Cells and Immunotherapies at UCL. Her role brings together patients, members of the public, researchers, doctors and nurses to learn from each other and design research in the best possible way for those to benefit from it. Working with YPAG on this animation was a favourite!

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

‘It was a huge pleasure to work with Alexis, Freddie and YPAG as a group of inspiring young people involved in improving health through research. Their ideas and invaluable input made the animation so much better and very different from the first draft we presented to them in summer 2018.’