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Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.

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Updated: Jun 9, 2025

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism

Published on: February 6, 2017

Molecular Engineering of Virus Tropism.

Bo He¹, Belinda Wilson¹, Shih-Heng Chen¹

¹Viral Vector Core, Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

|October 26, 2024

Summary

Modifying viral tropism enhances gene therapy and vaccine development by precisely targeting cells. Engineering viral surface proteins improves delivery efficiency and safety for various virus types.

Keywords:

AAV AAV serotype AAV variant HSV capsid g-deleted rabies virus lentivirus pseudotyping virus retrovirus viral application viral vectors virus envelope virus envelope chimera

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Published on: September 27, 2014

Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Molecular Biology
Virology

Background:

Engineered viral vectors are crucial for gene therapy, vaccine development, and research tools.
Viral tropism, or host specificity, is critical for targeted delivery and safety.
Modifying tropism minimizes off-target effects and enhances transduction efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

To review strategies for modifying recombinant viral tropism.
To explore advancements in targeting both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses.
To discuss methods for engineering viral tropism and future directions.

Main Methods:

Altering viral surface proteins to modify tropism.
Reviewing advancements in targeting adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, retro/lentiviruses, Rabies, Vesicular Stomatitis Virus, and Herpesvirus.
Discussing rational design, directed evolution, in silico, and machine learning methods.

Main Results:

Current strategies enable precise targeting of specific cell types using modified viral vectors.
Novel AAV variants with desired tropism can be generated through advanced engineering approaches.
Chimeric envelope proteins facilitate pseudotyping for enhanced enveloped virus targeting.

Conclusions:

Engineering viral tropism is advancing gene therapy, vaccine development, and biochemical research.
Continued research in viral tropism modification promises improved safety and efficacy.
Addressing challenges in viral tropism engineering will unlock new therapeutic potentials.