Alternative gene delivery system created

MADISON, Wis., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have developed a non-viral gene delivery system that is safer and more efficient than currently used techniques.

To move a gene from point A to point B, scientists and gene therapists have used either a virus or a plasmid -- an engineered loop of DNA. However, viruses can be infectious and while plasmids don't present such risk, they are not nearly as efficient.

University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists said their new non-viral gene delivery system uses transposons -- stretches of DNA capable of jumping from one DNA molecule to another.

Molecular biologist Margy Lambert, who developed the technique, said it can be used in nearly any application in which viral vectors can be used. "You can do a lot with it," said Lambert, "and it is safer. Problems with viral vectors are extremely rare, but the consequences can be severe."

To harness transposons, researchers use an enzyme to ferry a desired DNA sequence from one DNA molecule to another inside a cell. The enzyme can then be turned off to stop genes from jumping.

The technique is detailed in the journal Applied Biosafety.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International

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