TY - JOUR T1 - Retroviral vectors JF - Molecular Pathology JO - Mol Pathol SP - 173 LP - 176 DO - 10.1136/mp.53.4.173 VL - 53 IS - 4 AU - K M Kurian AU - C J Watson AU - A H Wyllie Y1 - 2000/08/01 UR - http://mp.bmj.com/content/53/4/173.abstract N2 - 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. ER -