This recombinant human adenovirus type 5 expresses mCherry protein under the control of a CMV promoter. mCherry is the second generation monomeric red fluorescent protein that have improved brightness and photostability. Recombinant mCherry adenovirus serves as a control for other recombinant adenoviruses. Since mCherry is easily visualized under fluorescence microscopy, this adenovirus can also be used to determine the transduction efficiency and to optimize viral infection condition in a specific cell type.