Addition of exogenous polypeptides on the mammalian reovirus outer capsid using reverse genetics

► Reverse genetics can be used to add different exogenous peptide tags to the external surface of reovirus outer capsid. ► Up to 40 amino acids can be added to the carboxyl-terminal end of σ1. ► Tagged viruses retain their infectious potential. ► Further attempts to add longer sequences suggest size limitations at the nucleic acids level.