Abstract:
We have now discovered a helper virus free herpesvirus packaging system. This system can be used to package a wide range of desired nucleotide segments, preferably a DNA segment, into an empty herpesvirus particle because of the large genomes of herpesviruses. Preferably, the herpesvirus is an alpha herpesvirus. More preferably, the herpesvirus is an alpha herpesvirus such as Varicella-Zoster virus, pseudorabies virus, or a herpes simplex virus such as HSV-1 or HSV-2. Another preferred herpesvirus is Epstein-Barr virus.