University of Waterloo researchers use engineered M13 phage to deliver therapeutic genes to human cells

University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy researchers use a modified version of the M13 bacteriophage to deliver chosen therapeutic genes to specific human cells, with no unwanted virus or bacteria, as a cheaper and more efficient route to treating some inherited diseases. Principal investigator Roderick Slavcev says that at scale the platform could cost as little as one-millionth of current viral gene therapies; the study appears in Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids.