This article “Cell-specific delivery of messenger RNA and microRNA by recombinant MS2 virus-like particles carrying cell penetrating peptide” published in Appl Microbiol Biotechnol DOI 10.1007/s00253-014-6274-6 has been retracted at the request of the Authors. There was a conflict of intellectual property ownership of the published material. Professor Li Jinming who also contributed to the research made for this article did not give his approval for publication.