Infectious cDNA, cell receptors and transgenic mice in the study of Sabin's poliovirus vaccines

The determination of the nucleotide sequence of the poliovirus genome, the isolation of infectious poliovirus cDNAs, and the identification of the cell receptor for poliovirus and establishment of a transgenic mouse model for poliomyelitis have all contributed to our understanding of the live, attenuated Sabin poliovirus vaccines. These highly effective vaccines have been studied extensively by many laboratories to determine the molecular basis for their attenuation phenotype. For this special issue I would like to review how our research has improved the understanding of Sabin's poliovirus vaccines, and highlight Albert's influence on our work.