Elimination of packaging sequences from retroviruses to produce improved vectors for gene delivery

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The ability to insert genes into cells can be used to study the roles of genes, produce useful proteins like antibodies and correct mutated cells in patients with genetic disorders. Viruses can act as gene delivery vehicles (or 'vectors') because they have evolved the ability to insert genes into cells. We use a modified HIV virus which is unable to reproduce or cause disease but can deliver genes to cells. This vector is used in laboratories across the world but has some drawbacks such as carrying about 18% of the HIV genome and being limited in terms of the size of gene it can deliver. We have already developed a streamlined HIV vector called LTR1 which carries only 3% of the HIV genome. We believe that LTR1 may be an improvement on the previous HIV vector in terms of safety and efficiency so would like to test them side by side. We will licence LTR1 commercially so that this technological breakthrough will be available to as many researchers and industrial partners as possible.