Virus-infected cells precautions

Precautions to be taken when using virus-infected cells... 

Introduction of a gene of interest into the host cell line by viral infection is a convenient method since a large number of cells can be infected simultaneously. Systems employing Semliki Forest Virus, Vaccinia Virus, and Retoviral vectors are used. However, drawbacks include the requirement for special precautions when engineering and preparing the viral... 

Since most recombinant DNA occurs with bacterial and viral vectors, a big concern is that a mutated virus or bacteria will be released that can infect other species and that may be resistant to drugs, thereby creating a new, potentially lethal disease. Precautions include frequent sterilization of cultures to make sure that they are all dead before disposal, working in laminar hoods that isolate the recombinant DNA from the outside, and care in the choice of vectors. Some vectors that are replication-deficient outside certain cell types are used so that they cannot replicate outside the lab environment... 

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