Advances in reverse genetics systems for rotavirus
Reverse genetics approaches can directly manipulate the genome of virus at the gene level, making it possible to quickly, directly and thoroughly study the mechanisms of virus replication and pathogenesis. At present, many viruses of the family Reoviridae, such as mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) and bluetongue virus (BTV), have made great progress in basic viral research using the powerful tool of reverse genetics. However, for members of the genus Rotavirus in the family Reoviridae, progress in the construction of reverse genetic systems has been slow. The remarkable reverse genetics system based on helper-viruses was established in 2006, and it was not until 2017 that the entirely plasmid-based reverse genetics system was successfully established. This paper briefly reviewed the development of reverse genetics systems for rotavirus and prospected the direction for future research in order to provide technical support for accelerating the basic research on mechanisms of rotavirus infection. 
 
 
Key words: 
Rotavirus; Reverse genetics; Reoviridae; Infectious clone; Helper virus