Question

What is recombination virus?

Answer 1

Recombinant viruses:

1. The viruses that are generated by introducing a special genetic modification at a specific gene or locus of viral genome are known as recombinant viruses.
2. An example of this can be introduction of reporter gene at the non essential site of viral genome as done in ‘Ti plasmid’ of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
3. lacZ gene is the classic example of reporter gene that encode for enzyme beta-galactosidase.

Implications of recombinant viruses:

1. Recombinant Vaccines: recombinant virus having rabies virus glycoprotein gene have been constructed and the results showed potential rabies eradication.
2. Gene delivery via viral vector: recombinant viruses are genetically neutered and then a new gene of interest is inserted in them that has to be transferred to some another host. eg retroviral infection for gene transfer.