Concept and technology underlying sendai virus (SeV) vector development

Abstract

Sendai virus (SeV) reverse genetics, hatched out of pure academic need, is developing into the leading-edge biotechnology of a nonintegrating, cytoplasmic RNA vector. Diverse applications of the SeV vector are now in the pipeline and are poised for clinical testing. Here, we describe the conceptual novelty of the SeV vector and the technology used to accommodate a foreign gene of interest into the full-length SeV genome. This technology has advanced further to the generation of non-transmissible safer vector versions. Moreover, the incorporation of predetermined mutations responsible for particular phenotypes into the SeV backbone was actively conducted to produce special versions for its use in respective special settings.