Viral Vectors: Adenovirus

ADENOVIRAL VECTORS ARE derived from the adenovirus family and are used in gene therapy as tools for delivering genetic material. Gene therapy often targets stem cells because of their self—renewing properties, which could increase procedural efficiency by eliminating the necessity of readmin—istering therapeutic genes. Viral vectors such as adenovirus provide a way to deliver genetic material to these cells, thus allowing researchers and physicians to engineer cells that express selected therapeutic characteristics. Although adenovi—ruses are unable to integrate into host cell chromosomes, these viruses can infect both dividing and nondividing stem cells.

Adenoviruses are a viral family known for infecting membranes of the respiratory, intestinal, and urinary tract, in addition to membranes of the eye. Disease is relatively mild, and symptoms vary, but it can include ...