What is the term for the vehicle used to deliver therapeutic genes into target cells?

The term "vector" is used to describe the vehicle that delivers therapeutic genes into target cells. This terminology is common in the field of genetics and molecular biology. Vectors are specially engineered to efficiently introduce foreign DNA into host cells, allowing for gene therapy applications.

Vectors can take various forms, including viruses that have been modified to carry therapeutic genes without causing disease, as well as plasmids, which are circular DNA molecules that can replicate independently within a host cell. The design and selection of a vector are critical to ensuring that the therapeutic genes are not only delivered effectively but also expressed correctly in the target cells.

While the terms "carrier," "transporter," and "conduit" may imply movement or transport of substances, they do not specifically refer to the biological context of gene delivery in the way "vector" does. Vectors are integral to the processes that underpin gene therapy, making them the correct choice in this context.