GENE DELIVERY SYSTEMS - BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN RECOMBINANT VIRUSES AND ARTIFICIAL VECTORS

Although most research in the field of somatic gene therapy has invest igated the use of recombinant viruses for transferring genes into soma tic target cells, various methods for nonviral gene delivery have also been proposed. Both types of gene delivery systems have advantages an d drawbacks. Schematically, viral vectors are particularly efficient f or gene delivery, whereas nonviral systems are free of the difficultie s associated with the use of recombinant viruses bur need to be furthe r optimized to reach their full potential. In order to bridge the gap between viral vectors and synthetic reagents, we discuss here some spe cific features of the viral vector systems of today that could advanta geously be taken into account for the design of improved nonviral gene delivery systems. Indeed, although nonviral systems differ fundamenta lly from viral systems, one possible approach towards enhanced artific ial reagents aims at developing 'artificial viruses' that mimic the hi ghly efficient processes of viral infection. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.