lentivirus

Lentivirus is a type of virus in the broader family of retroviruses, which have RNA as their genetic material. They are characterized by their ability to infect dividing and non-dividing cells, often leading to long-term persistence within a host. The most well-known lentivirus is HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. These viruses work by inserting their genetic material into the cells they infect, hijacking the cell's machinery to produce more copies of themselves. Researchers have also modified lentiviruses for gene therapy, using their ability to deliver genetic material safely into human cells to treat various diseases.