A genus of retroviruses with a lengthy incubation time, in particular HIV. Commonly used as DNA transduction agents in animal cells.
A genus of retroviruses characterized by a slow incubation period. Famous lentiviruses include HIV (Human Immunodeficieny Virus), SIV, and FIV.
Disabled lentiviruses, viruses with the genome engineered to make them non-replicative and therefore incapable of productive infection, are used to deliver DNA efficiently into hard-to-transfect animal cells. Moreover, lentivirus-mediated transductions cause integration of the desired DNA element in the genome of host cells, thereby making stably transgenic cell lines. It is, however, difficult to control the site of integration and copy number.
