Abstract: A method of purifying retroviral vector particles which comprises culturing retroviral vector producer cells which are capable of generating retroviral vector particles, and obtaining a supernatant containing retroviral vector particles from the culture of retroviral vector producer cells. The supernatant is clarified, and then concentrated. The supernatant then is contacted with a precipitation agent, and the supernatant and precipitation agent are centrifuged. A precipitate is recovered, resuspended, and subjected to a high-speed centrifugation. Retroviral particles then are recovered. The above method provides for increased recovery of retroviral vector particles which may be employed in gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an efficient method, termed spin transduction, of transducing cells with retroviral vectors. Retroviral particles, suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, are contacted with the cells to be transduced, and the mixture is centrifuged for a sufficient period of time to permit transduction. This method leads to a 3- to 15-fold increase in transduction efficiency, depending on the type of cells transduced.