What is the purpose of removing harmful genes when creating a viral vector?
Answer
To ensure the vector can replicate safely without causing infection.
The creation of a functional, non-pathogenic viral vector requires several critical modifications to the original virus. One mandatory step is the complete excision of the virus’s inherent, disease-causing genes. This elimination process is essential because the goal is to repurpose the virus solely as a delivery mechanism, stripping it of its ability to cause illness in the patient. Once these pathogenic components are removed, the viral shell becomes safe scaffolding capable of being loaded with the therapeutic DNA, allowing for safe multiplication and purification in the laboratory setting.
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