Question

A functional ADA cDNA is introduced into the patient’s lymphocytes using _______ vector.

(a) jumping

(b) retroviral

(c) infectious

(d) bacterial

This question was posed to me during an online interview.

My doubt is from Biotechnological Applications in Medicine: Gene Therapy topic in section Biotechnology and its Applications of Biology – Class 12

Answer 1

Right choice is (b) retroviral

To explain I would say: In gene therapy, a functional ADA cDNA is introduced into the patient’s lymphocytes using a retroviral vector. Retroviruses are used because they have an enzyme reverse transcriptase. This enzyme converts single-stranded RNA into double-stranded DNA and this DNA then further integrates within the genome without disturbing its stability.