Viral vector chart
Fri, Nov 6, 2026 · Week 11 · Genetics of Disease (Medical Interventions)
Today's goal: Chart how viral vectors deliver a therapeutic gene and distinguish somatic from germline targets.
What a finished product looks like
This is a model of the work you should turn in today. Use it to check your own: match the structure and the level of detail, do not copy it. Your data and wording should be your own.
Diagram in words: A viral vector is a virus that has had its disease-causing genes removed and a therapeutic gene loaded in their place. It keeps its ability to enter a cell, so it delivers the healthy gene like a courier delivering a package.
Somatic vs. germline: In this case the vector targets liver cells, which are somatic (non-reproductive), so the edit is not heritable. A germline target (egg, sperm, embryo) would be heritable, which is why somatic delivery is the safer, standard choice.
Why vector choice affects which cells are treated: Different vectors prefer different tissues and have different payload sizes, so the vector you pick determines which cells receive the gene and how safely.
| Vector | Payload capacity | Integrates? | Immune response |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAV | small | non-integrating | low |
| Retrovirus | larger | integrates into genome | higher insertion risk |
Also due today: Submit your vector chart to the course shell.
WebXam problem for today's skill
One exam-style question that uses exactly what you practiced today. Try it before you reveal the answer, then read why each choice is right or wrong.
Tap an answer to see the full explanation. Nothing is recorded or graded.