New Polymer Coating Protects Viral Vectors

Modified viruses that transfer genetic material into cells are attractive as tools for gene therapy, regenerative medicine and vaccination. However, after injecting these 'viral vectors' into the human body, contact with serum in the blood may trigger immune and inflammatory responses and compromise in vivo gene transfer.

A team led by Shu Wang at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology of A*STAR, Singapore, has now designed a new polymer coating that protects viral vectors—making them resistant to serum within the body1.

The researchers chose non-toxic, rod-shaped insect viruses called baculoviruses as their vectors. These viruses have been shown to efficiently deliver genes into mammalian cells, but their high sensitivity to serum limits their gene delivery efficiency in vivo.

Click here to read the full story.