Receptor-mediated gene transfer by phage-display vectors: applications in functional genomics and gene therapy

Recent studies have demonstrated targeted gene-delivery to mammalian cells using modified phage-display vectors. Specificity is determined by the choi ce of the genetically displayed targeting ligand. Without targeting, phage particles have virtually no tropism for mammalian cells. Thus, novel ligand s can be selected from phage libraries by their ability to deliver a report er gene to targeted cells. Together with advances in cDNA display technolog ies, these findings offer new opportunities for the use of phage-display te chnology in functional genomics. In addition, targeted phage particles have potential as alternative gene therapy vectors that can be further improved using directed evolution.