Viral vectors

Viral vectors are tools commonly used by molecular biologists to deliver genetic material into cells. This process can be performed inside a living organism (in vivo) or in cell culture (in vitro). Viruses have evolved specialized molecular mechanisms to efficiently transport their genomes inside the cells they infect. Delivery of genes by a virus is termed transduction and the infected cells are described as transduced.

Types of viral vectors

There are several types of viral vectors that can be used for gene delivery. These include retroviral vectors, lentiviral vectors, adenoviral vectors, adeno-associated viral vectors, and herpes simplex viral vectors.

Retroviral vectors

retroviral vectors are derived from retroviruses. They have the ability to integrate their genetic material into the genome of the host cell, which allows for long-term expression of the transgene.

Lentiviral vectors

Lentiviral vectors are a type of retrovirus that can infect both dividing and non-dividing cells. This makes them useful for gene delivery to tissues with slow cell turnover, such as the brain.

Adenoviral vectors

Adenoviral vectors are derived from adenoviruses. They do not integrate their genetic material into the host genome and are therefore used for short-term expression of the transgene.

Adeno-associated viral vectors

Adeno-associated viral vectors are derived from the adeno-associated virus. They can infect both dividing and non-dividing cells and can result in long-term expression of the transgene.

Herpes simplex viral vectors

Herpes simplex viral vectors are derived from the herpes simplex virus. They have a large capacity for foreign genetic material but can be cytotoxic.

Applications

Viral vectors have many applications in biotechnology, including gene therapy, vaccine development, and basic biological research.

Safety and ethical considerations

The use of viral vectors for gene delivery raises several safety and ethical considerations, including the potential for immunogenicity, oncogenesis, and off-target effects.

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