PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - K M Kurian
AU  - C J Watson
AU  - A H Wyllie
TI  - Retroviral vectors
AID  - 10.1136/mp.53.4.173
DP  - 2000 Aug 01
TA  - Molecular Pathology
PG  - 173--176
VI  - 53
IP  - 4
4099  - http://mp.bmj.com/content/53/4/173.short
4100  - http://mp.bmj.com/content/53/4/173.full
SO  - Mol Pathol2000 Aug 01; 53
AB  - Traditionally, the retrovirus is regarded as an enemy to be overcome. However, for the past two decades retroviruses have been harnessed as vehicles for transferring genes into eukaryotic cells, a process known as transduction. During this time, the technology has moved from being a scientific laboratory tool to a potential clinical molecular medicine to be used in gene therapy. This review explains the strategy for harnessing the retrovirus life cycle, the scientific research and clinical applications of this methodology, and its limitations, as well as possible future developments.