Methods using genetic package display for detecting and identifying protein-protein interactions that facilitate internalization and transgene expression and cells or tissues competent for the same and methods for evolving gene delivery vectors

Abstract

A genetic package display system and methodology for probing protein-protein interactions that lead to cell transduction, selecting and/or identifying internalizing ligands, target cells and tissues which internalize known or putative ligands, and cell transduction facilitating peptides is provided. A ligand displaying genetic package that carries a selectable marker (e.g., reporter, selection, etc.) and presents a ligand on its surface is utilized to identify internalizing ligands, tranduction facilitating peptides, and/or a variety of cells and tissue types for the ability to be successfully transduced by the ligand displaying genetic package. Also provided are methods for evolving a ligand displaying package to facilitate gene delivery or delivery of any desired agent (e.g., pharmaceutical, polypeptide, peptide, etc.) into a cell and/or targeting cellular compartments such as the nucleus, endosome, chloroplast, mitochondria, etc.