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Review
. 2000 Aug;53(4):173-6.
doi: 10.1136/mp.53.4.173.

Retroviral vectors

Affiliations
Review

Retroviral vectors

K M Kurian et al. Mol Pathol. 2000 Aug.

Abstract

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.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The murine leukaemia retrovirus life cycle.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The production of retrovirus and infection of target cells.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Examples of the applications of retroviral vectors.

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References

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