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Review
. 2025 Mar 14;17(3):414.
doi: 10.3390/v17030414.

The Application of DNA Viruses to Biotechnology

Adam J Schieferecke  1   2 , Nadia Kuxhausen Ralph  1 , David V Schaffer  1   2   3   4   5
Affiliations
Review

The Application of DNA Viruses to Biotechnology

Adam J Schieferecke et al. Viruses. .

Abstract

The delivery of biomolecules to target cells has been a longstanding challenge in biotechnology. DNA viruses naturally evolved the ability to deliver genetic material to cells and modulate cellular processes. As such, they inherently possess requisite characteristics that have led to their extensive study, engineering, and development as biotechnological tools. Here, we overview the application of DNA viruses to biotechnology, with specific implications in basic research, health, biomanufacturing, and agriculture. For each application, we review how an increasing understanding of virology and technological methods to genetically manipulate DNA viruses has enabled advances in these fields. Additionally, we highlight the remaining challenges to unlocking the full biotechnological potential of DNA viral technologies. Finally, we discuss the importance of balancing continued technological progress with ethical and biosafety considerations.

Keywords: adeno-associated virus; adenovirus; agriculture; gene therapy; herpesvirus; microbiome editing; oncolytic virotherapy; phage therapy; vaccine; vaccinia virus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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