Researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute have resurrected an ancient virus that was discovered to be effective in delivering gene therapies to the liver, muscle and retina, according to EurekaAlert!
Here are five notes:
1. The ancient virus could have the potential to create gene therapies that are safer and stronger than current therapies.
2. Ancient viruses used for gene therapy have thus far been chosen from viruses that naturally circulate throughout the human population.
3. The therapies would make the viruses unrecognizable by the human body and therefore will increase the number of people who will have success with the gene therapy.
4. The intricacies of the ancient viruses make them difficult to engineer. Researchers have recreated an evolutionary timeline of the changes in the virus to combat this issue.
5. The viruses have successfully targeted the liver, muscle and retina of mice without producing toxic side effects.
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