ABSTRACT
The success of viral vectors mediated gene therapy is still hampered by immunogenicity and insufficient transgeneexpression. Alternatively, non-viral vectors mediated gene delivery has the advantage of low immunogenicity despiteshowing low transgene expression. By carefully considering the advantages of each approach, hybrid vectors are currentlybeing developed by modifying the viral vectors using non-viral biopolymers. This review provides an overview of thehybrid vectors currently being developed.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To isolate and make a comparative study of marine sediments actinomycetes from Pulicat estuary, Muttukadu estuary and Ennore estuary, TamilNadu, India. Methods: A unique selective enrichment procedure has resulted in the isolation and identification a total of 304 actinomycetes colonies which were isolated from different stations of marine soil sediments in Pulicat estuary, Muttukadu estuary and Ennore estuary, TamilNadu, India. Results: Among them, 277 isolates were morphologically distinct on the basis of spore mass colour, aerial and substrate mycelium formation and production of diffusible pigment. The majority (60%; 162 isolates) were assigned to the genus Streptomyces. (35%; 104 isolates) were assigned to the genus Actinopolyspora, (5%; 11 isolates) were assigned to the genus Nocardiodes. Conclusions: The present study concluded that the physiological characteristics of actinomycetes Streptomyces, Actinopolyspora and Nocardiodes varied by available nutrients in the medium and the physical conditions.