Transduction is the process by which a viral vector introduces foreign genetic material into a target cell, resulting in intracellular delivery and expression of the transgene. Unlike transfection, which uses non-viral methods, transduction relies on the natural ability of viruses to infect cells and deliver their genetic payload with high efficiency and specificity. In gene therapy and cell therapy manufacturing, transduction efficiency — defined as the proportion of target cells successfully transduced — is a critical process parameter (CPP) and critical quality attribute (CQA) that directly impacts therapeutic potency, product yield, and clinical outcome, and is routinely assessed using flow cytometry, qPCR, and functional assays.
