RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Retroviral vectors
JF Molecular Pathology
JO Mol Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 173
OP 176
DO 10.1136/mp.53.4.173
VO 53
IS 4
A1 K M Kurian
A1 C J Watson
A1 A H Wyllie
YR 2000
UL http://mp.bmj.com/content/53/4/173.abstract
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.