Genetically Engineered Viruses
Genetically Engineered Viruses - Related Videos
10:38
An Overview of Genetic Engineering
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2023
Genetic engineering – the process of purposefully altering an organism’s DNA – has been used to create powerful research tools and model organisms, and has also seen many agricultural applications. However, in order to engineer traits to tackle complex agricultural problems such as stress tolerance, or to realize the promise of gene therapy for treating human diseases, further advances in the field are still needed. Important considerations include the safe and efficient delivery of genetic...
09:36
Genetic Engineering of Model Organisms
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2023
Transgenesis, or the use of genetic engineering to alter gene expression, is widely used in the field of developmental biology. Scientists use a number of approaches to alter the function of genes to understand their roles in developmental processes. This includes replacement of a gene with a nonfunctional copy, or adding a visualizable tag to a gene that allows the resultant fusion protein to be tracked throughout development. In this video, the viewers will learn about the principles behind...
01:34
What is Genetic Engineering?
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2026
Genetic engineering is the process of modifying an organism’s DNA to introduce new, desirable traits. Many organisms, from bacteria to plants and animals, have been genetically modified for academic, medical, agricultural, and industrial purposes. While genetic engineering has definite benefits, ethical concerns surround modifying humans and our food supply.Scientists can Deliberately Modify an Organism’s GenomeGenetic engineering is possible because the genetic code—the way information is...
15:49
Reverse Genetics to Engineer Positive-Sense RNA Virus Variants
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Cited by 1 •
2022
The protocol describes a method for introducing controllable genetic diversity in the hepatitis C virus genome by combining full-length mutant RNA synthesis using error-prone PCR and reverse genetics. The method provides a model for phenotype selection and can be used for 10 kb long positive-sense RNA virus genomes.
03:41
Production of Virus-like Particles in Engineered E. coli
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2026
Source: Chen, Z., et al. Making Conjugation-induced Fluorescent PEGylated Virus-like Particles by Dibromomaleimide-disulfide Chemistry. J. Vis. Exp. (2018)This video demonstrates the method for the controlled expression of the bacteriophage Qβ coat protein in engineered E. coli. The resulting proteins self-assemble into virus-like particles, which are harvested for downstream bioconjugation.
FAQs
Researchers can insert, delete, or replace selected genes to change specific viral properties. These changes may influence replication, tissue targeting, antigen production, or immune recognition, depending on which genetic functions are altered. Connecting each modification to a desired biological trait gives investigators greater control over how the virus behaves in cells and experimental systems.
Removing functions associated with disease can help redirect a virus toward research or medical purposes while reducing unwanted biological effects. The modification does not eliminate the need for evaluation, because the resulting virus still depends on genome stability, the host cells it encounters, and immune responses. These factors can influence whether the intended properties remain consistent.
Recombinant DNA methods and synthetic biology provide ways to deliberately redesign viral genetic material rather than relying only on naturally occurring variation. They support the controlled insertion, deletion, or replacement of genes selected for a particular purpose. This design-based approach helps researchers connect genetic changes with traits such as antigen production, tissue targeting, or altered replication.
Performance and safety depend on more than the intended genetic change. Genome stability can affect whether engineered traits persist, while host-cell properties influence viral behavior in a biological setting. Immune responses may also alter the outcome by recognizing or limiting the engineered virus. For this reason, safety assessment must consider the virus, its target cells, and the host response together.
A general workflow begins by selecting a viral genetic function or trait to modify, followed by designing an insertion, deletion, or replacement using recombinant DNA methods or synthetic biology. Researchers then examine whether the intended property, such as altered targeting or antigen production, is achieved. Evaluation also includes genome stability, host-cell behavior, and immune responses.
These engineered systems support several applications, including vaccine development, gene delivery, cancer research, and studies of host-pathogen interactions. Their value comes from linking a defined genetic design to a biological question or therapeutic goal. In each setting, researchers can investigate how changes in viral properties affect delivery, immune recognition, disease-related processes, or experimental control.
By changing selected viral genes, investigators can examine how particular viral properties influence interactions with host cells. Modifications affecting replication, tissue targeting, antigen production, or immune recognition provide distinct experimental variables. Comparing the resulting biological behavior helps clarify relationships between viral genetic functions and host responses, making these systems useful for controlled studies of infection-related biology.