A group of DNA containing viruses which cause respiratory disease, including one form of the common cold. Adenoviruses can also be genetically modified and used in gene therapy to treat cystic fibrosis, cancer, and potentially other diseases.

Dr. Richard Morgan, of the National Human Genome Research Institute's Clinical Gene Therapy Branch, defines adenovirus.

Related terms: cancer, cystic fibrosis, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), gene therapy.