Methods of preparing and using a viral vector library

A method of identifying functionally related coding sequences, wherein the method comprises:

• (a) culturing a library of viral vectors, wherein each member of the library comprises (i) a first heterologous DNA encoding a first gene product, wherein the first DNA is common to each member of the library of viral vectors, and (ii) a second heterologous DNA encoding an second gene product, wherein the second DNA varies between the members of the library of viral vectors, and
• (b) comparing the activity of the gene products encoded by the library of viral vectors with the activity of the first gene product encoded by a viral vector comprising the first heterologous DNA but not comprising the second heterologous DNA.

A method of constructing a library of viral vectors, wherein the method comprises:

• (a) carrying out homologous recombination between a first DNA molecule and a second DNA molecule, wherein the second DNA molecule is a recipient DNA molecule comprising at least a terminal repeat and a packaging signal of a viral genome, to produce a homologously recombined pool of intermediate viral genomes, wherein the pool of intermediate viral genomes comprises double-stranded DNA,
• (b) ligating one or more linear third DNA molecules into the pool of intermediate viral genomes to produce a library of viral vector genomes, wherein one or more linear third DNA molecules encodes a potentially desirable feature, and
• (c) transducing the library of viral vector genomes into a first population of host cells to convert the library of viral vector genomes into a library of viral vectors.