Gene therapy vocabulary:

Adenovirus (Ad) is a virus that causes flu and ocular infections. When used as a gene delivery vector, some viral genes are removed to render it non-pathogenic.

Adeno-assosiated virus  (AAV) derived vectors are known for their extensive expression times, needed for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

By-stander effect means the transfer of the treatment effect to neighbouring cells, which are not infected/transduced by the gene delivery vector. The effect increases the treatment efficacy and is pursuit by cancer gene therapy.

DNA forms the choromosomes and genetic material of humans and some viruses.

Gene consists guides to manufacture a protein or regulates cellular functions. Genes consist of DNA which is made of single nucleic acids. 

Expression  is the time that the transgene is used to code protein or it regulates the needed function.  Because of different cell types or limitations in gene therapy, the expression time of different vectors vary greatly.

Reporter gene is a gene that has no treatment function, but which' expression can be detected by using different staining or detection methods. 

RNA is the other type of genetic material found in cells and viruses. 

Statistical significance means that the observed findings in a study, such as curing a patient from cancer, are not caused by a coincidence as compared to control group. Due to the experimental nature of gene therapy, its essential that the patient number in the experiments is high enough to exclude insignificant results from the significant.

Vector carries the treatment gene to the cells treated. Currently the most commonly used vectors are either based on viruses or artificial membranes.

Viruses contain the recipe for manufacturing proteins as genes. The genes can consist of either DNA or RNA. The viruses penetrate to the cells and release their genes. The cell manufactures the protein according to the nucleotide sequence of the genetic material (transgene). The protein can be treting by themself or guide the cellular functions of the cell.