How Do You Spell VIRAL DELIVERY VECTOR?
Pronunciation: [vˈa͡ɪ͡əɹə͡l dɪlˈɪvəɹi vˈɛktə] (IPA) 
Pronunciation: [vˈa͡ɪ͡əɹə͡l dɪlˈɪvəɹi vˈɛktə] (IPA)
A viral delivery vector is a biological tool commonly used in gene therapy to deliver therapeutic genes into target cells. It refers to a modified form of a virus that has been engineered in the laboratory to carry therapeutic genetic material into the cells of an organism.
Viral delivery vectors are chosen due to their ability to efficiently and specifically deliver genes or genetic material into the cells they infect. These vectors are usually derived from naturally occurring viruses, such as adenoviruses, lentiviruses, or adeno-associated viruses (AAVs). The viral genes responsible for replication and causing disease are removed from the vector, rendering them harmless. The genetic material that is inserted into the delivery vector can be a functioning gene to correct a genetic defect, a gene that produces a therapeutic protein, or a gene that helps modulate the expression of specific cellular genes.
Once the viral vector is introduced to the target cells, it is able to infect and deliver the therapeutic cargo into the cell's nucleus. The viral vector hijacks the cellular machinery to produce the desired therapeutic protein or alter the expression of specific genes, which can potentially alleviate or treat a disease. This process has shown great promise in the treatment of genetic disorders, cancer, and other diseases in pre-clinical and clinical studies. However, safety concerns such as potential immune responses or off-target effects are important considerations when using viral delivery vectors in gene therapy applications.
