AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The most common gene therapy vectors are viruses because they can recognize certain cells and carry genetic material into the cells’ genes. Researchers remove the original disease-causing genes from the viruses, replacing them with the genes needed to stop disease.

Detailed explanation-2: -Viruses are currently the most commonly used vectors in gene therapies because they have a natural ability to deliver genetic material into cells. Before a virus can be used to carry therapeutic genes into human cells, it is modified to remove its ability to cause infectious disease.

Detailed explanation-3: -Viral-vector gene therapies use modified viruses as drug-delivery vehicles to introduce specific DNA sequences-encoding genes, regulatory RNAs (for example, small interfering RNAs [siRNAs]), or other therapeutic substrates-into cells.

Detailed explanation-4: -Retroviral vectors have been extensively used to deliver therapeutic genes in the context of gene therapy, clinical applications for monogenic disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases, providing a stable and efficient expression of the transgene to patients. Retroviruses have numerous advantages over other vectors.

Detailed explanation-5: -Benefits and advantages to using the adenovirus as a vector in gene therapy include high transduction efficiency, infection of many cell types, and transduction does not require cell division.