Retroviruses as tools to study the immune system

Retrovirus-based vectors provide an efficient means to introduce and expres s genes in cells of the immune system and have become a popular tool to stu dy immune function. They are easy to manipulate and provide stable, long-te rm gene expression because they integrate into the genome. Current retrovir al vectors do have limitations that affect their usefulness in certain appl ications. However. recent advances suggest a number of ways in which these vectors might be improved to extend their utility in immunological research .