5-1.3. Transduction
This method involves the introduction of genes into host cell's genome using viruses as carriers. The viruses are used in gene transfer due to following features-

•  Efficiency of viruses to deliver their nucleic acid into cells

•  High level of replication and gene expression.

The foreign gene is packaged into the virus particles to enter the host cell. The entry of virus particle containing the candidate gene sequences into the cell and then to the nuclear genome is a receptor- mediated process. The vector genome undergoes complex processes ending up with ds-DNA depending on the vector that can persist as an episome or integrate into the host genome followed by the expression of the candidate gene (Figure 5-1.3).

Figure 5-1.3: Transduction of a host cell.