Which of the following is not commonly used as a vector in gene therapy?
A
Disarmed viruses
No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
B
Human artificial chromosome
No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
C
Both a and b
No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
D
Bone marrow cells
Right on! Give the BNAT exam to get a 100% scholarship for BYJUS courses
Open in App
Solution
The correct option is D Bone marrow cells Gene therapy is a collection of methods that allows correction of a gene defect. It is done by genetic modification of cells to produce a therapeutic effect. The carrier molecules used to deliver genes to the cells are referred to as vectors. The important vectors employed are as follows:
Disarmed viruses - Viruses in which the pathogenic genes are deleted such that it loses its virulence are known as disarmed viruses. They are the frequently used vectors. E.g. Retrovirus.
HAC - Human artificial chromosome (HAC) is a synthetic chromosome that can be engineered to carry genes of interest that will encode the desired protein.
Bone marrow cells - Bone marrow contains totipotent embryonic stem (ES) cells. These cells are capable of dividing and differentiating into various cell types. For this reason, bone marrow transplantation is the most widely used technique for several genetic diseases. They may be used as grafts for transplantation but are not used as vectors in gene therapy.