Lenti & Retro Virus

Both lentivirus and retrovirus can introduce their genetic material into host cells through transfection, but their transfection mechanisms are different. Lentiviral transfection is a relatively slow process. Lentiviruses introduce their genetic material (RNA) into the cell by binding to surface receptors on the host cell. Retroviruses are viruses with reverse transcriptase enzymes, such as HIV. Reverse transcriptase reversely transcribes viral RNA into DNA and integrates it into the host cell's genome. Retroviruses bind to specific receptors on the surface of host cells, allowing the virus to enter the cell. Once inside, reverse transcriptase begins transcribing the viral RNA into DNA and integrates this DNA into the host cell's genome. The replication rate of retroviruses is relatively fast, but is also controlled by the physiological state of the host cell and the immune system. To facilitate transfection of both viruses, CD Bioparticles offers transduction reagents that significantly increase the efficiency of lentiviral and retroviral infection and transduction of any cell type (adherent or suspension, primary or cell line).