A novel retroviral vector that allows the magnetic selection of infected cells

Retroviral vectors are used widely in research and are also being designed for use in gene therapy trials. In practice, these vectors usually contain a marker gene, which is often a drug selection gene. In this report, a nove l retroviral vector has been constructed which contains a gene that allows selection for infected cells by a magnet. This gene is a single-chain antib ody (sFv) to a specific hapten molecule 4-ethoxymethylene-2-phenyl-2-uxazol in-5-one (phOx). sFv specific for phOx is: displayed on the surface of infe cted cells. This feature allows binding to phOx-BSA coated magnetic beads w hich are used to isolate the infected cells. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights: reserved.