Modified viral genomes are able to reduce induction of inflammatory and immune anti-viral responses. This manifests itself in reduced NF-kB activity, increased viral transduction rates, and increased expression of transgenes. Viral genomes are modified by incorporating one or more oligonucleotide sequences which are able to bind to TLR9 but not induce activation of it. The oligonucleotide sequences may be synthetic, bacterial, human, or from any other source.