Retrovirus vectors: promise and reality
Article Abstract:
The technology has been developed to introduce foreign DNA, which codes for building the molecules involved in the processes of life, into cells. In this manner, the particular segment of DNA that is introduced can be studied for its function or effect. The DNA can be introduced into cells in such a way that the DNA is present in the cells for a short time or for a long time, when the DNA becomes associated with the chromosomes of the cells. The cells containing the introduced DNA can then be injected into animals or the DNA can be directly introduced into animals. This is the method underlying gene therapy, which can be used to treat genetic illnesses in humans or for genetic engineering of farm animals. Retroviruses are used as vehicles, or vectors, to introduce foreign DNA into cells. There are advantages, disadvantages and experimental problems in the use of retrovirus vectors for the introduction of DNA. Some of the problems can be solved by changing the experimental conditions and redesigning the virus. The newly introduced DNA can also be used as a marker in cells. For example, DNA, which can be monitored, is introduced into lymphocytes which can infiltrate and destroy tumor cells. This experimental cancer therapy is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved use of retrovirus vectors. This may indicate that the primary use of the introduction of DNA into humans will be as part of a method to treat diseases such as cancer and AIDS, instead of curing single-gene human diseases, as originally thought. The use of genetically engineered retroviruses will increase as new vectors and ways of infection are developed to overcome the current problems. It is only the beginning of the development of genetically engineered organisms.
Publication Name: Science
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8075
Year: 1989
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
New startups move in as gene therapy goes commercial
Article Abstract:
Gene therapy, which was considered a highly theoretical field of research and far from commercialization, has become a very popular new field for biotechnology companies. Twelve companies are involved in gene therapy research in 1993, and the Food and Drug Administration has received proposals for 43 human clinical trials in the field.
Publication Name: Science
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8075
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Targeting retroviral integration
Article Abstract:
Researchers are studying the site-specific integration of the yeast retrovirus-like element Ty3 to determine how it selects DNA target sites. The research has implications for improving gene transfer methods in gene therapy.
Publication Name: Science
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8075
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Cancer vaccines show promise at last. Cancer gene research wins medicine Nobel. Estrogen use linked to breast cancer
- Abstracts: Malaria vaccines: the failed promise. Malaria hideout found in new mothers. Circumsporozoite protein heterogeneity in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax
- Abstracts: The reign of trial and error draws to a close. On-line archives let biologists interrogate the genome. NIDA aims to fight drugs with drugs
- Abstracts: Stopping the process of pregnancy. Europe: bovine growth hormone in a political maze. Dispute surfaces over paternity of RU 486
- Abstracts: Did life really start out in an RNA world? Computing at the speed of light. Catalytic RNA wins chemistry Nobel