Genetically modified virus
Encyclopedia
A genetically modified virus is a virus
that has gone through genetic modification for various biomedical purposes.
. In nature this can occur when exogenous DNA penetrates the cell membrane for any reason.
To do this artificially may require attaching the genes to a virus
or just physically inserting the extra DNA into the nucleus of the intended host with a very small syringe, or with very small particles fired from a gene gun
. However, other methods exploit natural forms of gene transfer, such as the ability of Agrobacterium
to transfer genetic material to plants, or the ability of lentivirus
es to transfer genes to animal cells.
uses genetically modified viruses to deliver genes that can cure disease into human cells. Although gene therapy is still relatively new, it has had some successes. It has been used to treat genetic disorder
s such as severe combined immunodeficiency
.
and calicivirus with a genetically modified virus. The virus was developed in Spain, and is beneficial to rabbit farmers. If it were to make its way into wild populations in areas such as Australia, it could create a population boom, as those diseases are the most serious threats to rabbit survival. Rabbits in Australia are considered to be such a pest that land owners are legally obliged to control them.
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
that has gone through genetic modification for various biomedical purposes.
General usage
Genetic modification involves the insertion or deletion of genes. When genes are inserted, they usually come from a different species, which is a form of horizontal gene transferHorizontal gene transfer
Horizontal gene transfer , also lateral gene transfer , is any process in which an organism incorporates genetic material from another organism without being the offspring of that organism...
. In nature this can occur when exogenous DNA penetrates the cell membrane for any reason.
To do this artificially may require attaching the genes to a virus
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
or just physically inserting the extra DNA into the nucleus of the intended host with a very small syringe, or with very small particles fired from a gene gun
Gene gun
A gene gun or a biolistic particle delivery system, originally designed for plant transformation, is a device for injecting cells with genetic information. The payload is an elemental particle of a heavy metal coated with plasmid DNA...
. However, other methods exploit natural forms of gene transfer, such as the ability of Agrobacterium
Agrobacterium
Agrobacterium is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria established by H. J. Conn that uses horizontal gene transfer to cause tumors in plants. Agrobacterium tumefaciens is the most commonly studied species in this genus...
to transfer genetic material to plants, or the ability of lentivirus
Lentivirus
Lentivirus is a genus of slow viruses of the Retroviridae family, characterized by a long incubation period...
es to transfer genes to animal cells.
Lithium-ion batteries
In materials science, a genetically modified virus has been used to construct a more environmentally friendly lithium-ion battery.Gene therapy
Gene therapyGene therapy
Gene therapy is the insertion, alteration, or removal of genes within an individual's cells and biological tissues to treat disease. It is a technique for correcting defective genes that are responsible for disease development...
uses genetically modified viruses to deliver genes that can cure disease into human cells. Although gene therapy is still relatively new, it has had some successes. It has been used to treat genetic disorder
Genetic disorder
A genetic disorder is an illness caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes, especially a condition that is present from before birth. Most genetic disorders are quite rare and affect one person in every several thousands or millions....
s such as severe combined immunodeficiency
Severe combined immunodeficiency
Severe combined immunodeficiency , is a genetic disorder in which both "arms" of the adaptive immune system are impaired due to a defect in one of several possible genes. SCID is a severe form of heritable immunodeficiency...
.
Cancer treatment
In 2004, researchers reported that a genetically-modified virus that exploits the selfish behaviour of cancer cells might offer an alternative way of killing tumours.Rabbit farming
In Europe, where rabbits are farmed on a large scale, they are protected against myxomatosisMyxomatosis
Myxomatosis is a disease that affects rabbits and is caused by the Myxoma virus. It was first observed in Uruguay in laboratory rabbits in the late 19th century. It was introduced into Australia in 1950 in an attempt to control the rabbit population...
and calicivirus with a genetically modified virus. The virus was developed in Spain, and is beneficial to rabbit farmers. If it were to make its way into wild populations in areas such as Australia, it could create a population boom, as those diseases are the most serious threats to rabbit survival. Rabbits in Australia are considered to be such a pest that land owners are legally obliged to control them.