In the basal ganglia, recombinant vectors for gene transfer based on adeno-associated virus (AAV), a single-standed virus,
transduce neurons of the globus pallidus and substantia nigra with a high efficiency. In contrast, transduction effeciency is low in the
striatum. In order to identify the limiting steps in AAV-mediated gene transfer in the striatum, new vectors are currently
evaluated: I) self-complementary vectors allowing the formation of double-standed DNA without the need for a cellular factor; II)
non-viral vectors consisting in recombinant capsid protein of JCV, a papovavirus with a natural tropism for glial cells in the brain
(collaboration with W. Lüke) and AAV DNA.