Which of the following is commonly used as a vector for introducing a DNA fragment in human lymphocytes ?

Options

A. pBR 322
B. `lambda` phage
C. Ti plasmid
D. Retrovirus

Answer

D

Explanation

Retroviruses were used as the basis for the first eukaryotic viral vectors and were the first viral vectors to be employed in human clinical trials. In 1999, Alain Fischer and co-workers performed the first trial that was universally agreed to demonstrate proof of concept for gene therapy. In this trial, 11 young children were treated for X-SCID. Patients suffering from this condition lack B and T lymphocytes, and suffer from severe, recurrent infections that are usually fatal during childhood by using retroviral vector.