Vectors are provided in 4% Lactose/PBS buffer.

To re-order a custom vector, please see pricing and information under custom vectors.

Please contact us for MLV inquiries.

Interested in Ordering?

In-Stock Orders

You can browse/order our Lentivirus In-Stock Products here.

* Listed prices are for non-profit customers only, additional fees may apply.

** Please note, if you have used our iLabs system in the past, you will need to create a new account to order in-stock products from our new system.

Custom Orders

***Custom vector orders still need to be submitted in iLabs.

Vectors are stocked based on supply and demand and may not be readily available but can be made "Upon Request".   Most vectors with a catalog number are kept in stock but please call 319-335-6726 or email vectors@uiowa.edu for the latest availability as stock amounts are always changing.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of out-of-stock or "Upon Request" vectors. 

We are also able to offer a number of vectors utilizing commonly studied genes of interest with permission or a three-way MTA from the original investigator. Please inquire.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Vectors

The FIV based vector system is generated by triple plasmid transfection.

1. The packaging plasmid encodes the necessary viral proteins in trans, but it is not packaged into the particles. Thus, the vector is non-replicating.

2. The transgene plasmid contains the expression cassette, comprised of the gene and promoter of interest. It also retains the minimal cis acting viral sequences necessary for packaging, reverse transcription and integration.

3. The envelope plasmid provides for the viral envelope protein. Typically, the envelope is VSV-G that has broad tropism and proven packaging efficiency; however, other envelopes can be substituted to alter tropism via a process called pseudotyping.

Material to be provided by the investigator: The gene of interest driven by the appropriate promoter must be cloned into the transgene plasmid. A variety of transgene shuttle plasmids [link to shuttle page] with multiple cloning sites are available for this purpose.

For new custom FIV vector production, the investigator will need to provide at least 300 μg of transgene plasmid expressing the gene of interest at a concentration of at least 0.25 μg/μl. We also require a sequence, map, and specific gene of interest information in accordance with our biosafety protocols. Full plasmid sequencing is required. 

Timeline: 4-5 weeks from the time the transgene plasmid is received.

Services include:

• Transfection and supernatant collection.
• Concentration by centrifugation.
• Determination of infectious titer (TU/ml).
• 500 μl of concentrated virus is provided at a titer no less than 1x10⁸TU/ml but potentially greater than 5x10⁹ TU/ml.
• $1,800 for 500ul of purified vector in 100ul aliquots.

Vehicle: Unless otherwise directed, lentiviral vectors are re-suspended in a standard 4% Lactose/PBS buffer for stability.

References

Johnston JC, Gasmi M, Lim LE, Elder JH, Yee JK, Jolly DJ, Campbell KP, Davidson BL, Sauter SL. Minimum requirements for efficient transduction of dividing and nondividing cells by feline immunodeficiency virus vectors. J Virol. 1999; 73:4991-5000 

Sinn PL, Goreham-Voss JD, Arias AC, Hickey MA, Maury W, Chikkanna-Gowda CP, McCray PB Jr. Enhanced gene expression conferred by stepwise modification of a nonprimate lentiviral vector. Hum Gene Ther. 2007; 18:1244-52.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Vectors

Third Generation HIV

Invitrogen Corporation ViraPower^TM Lentivirus Expression System (Cat# K4975-00). The third generation HIV-based vector is generated by four plasmid transfection.

1. The packaging plasmid encodes the necessary viral proteins in trans, but it is not packaged into the particles. Thus, the vector is non-replicating.

2. The transgene plasmid contains the expression cassette, comprised of the gene and promoter of interest. It also retains the minimal cis acting viral sequences necessary for packaging, reverse transcription and integration.

3. The envelope plasmid provides for the viral envelope protein. Typically, the envelope is VSV-G that has broad tropism and proven packaging efficiency; however, other envelopes can be substituted to alter tropism via a process called pseudotyping.

4.The Rev protein is provided by an independent expression plasmid.

Material to be provided by the investigator: The gene of interest driven by the appropriate promoter must be cloned into the transgene plasmid. These plasmids are widely available from a variety of sources. The Viral Vector Core is not licensed to distribute these plasmids.

For new custom HIV vector production, the investigator will need to provide at least 300 μg of transgene plasmid expressing the gene of interest at a concentration of at least 0.25 μg/μl. We also require a sequence, map, and specific gene of interest information in accordance with our biosafety protocols. Full plasmid sequencing is required. 

Second Generation HIV

Open Biosystems Trans-Lentiviral^TM Packaging System (Cat# TLP4691). Note: the second generation system can package the third generation transgene plasmid, but not vice versa. The second generation HIV-based vector is generated by three plasmid transfection.

1. The packaging plasmid encodes the necessary viral proteins in trans, but it is not packaged into the particles. Thus, the vector is non-replicating.

2. The transgene plasmid contains the expression cassette, comprised of the gene and promoter of interest. It also retains the minimal cis acting viral sequences necessary for packaging, reverse transcription and integration.

3. The envelope plasmid provides for the viral envelope protein. Typically, the envelope is VSV-G that has broad tropism and proven packaging efficiency; however, other envelopes can be substituted to alter tropism via a process called pseudotyping.

Material to be provided by the investigator: The gene of interest driven by the appropriate promoter must be cloned into the transgene plasmid. Transgene plasmids are widely available from a variety of sources. The Viral Vector Core is not licensed to distribute these plasmids.

For new custom HIV vector production, the investigator will need to provide at least 300 μg of transgene plasmid expressing the gene of interest at a concentration of at least 0.25 μg/μl. We also require a sequence, map, and specific gene of interest information in accordance with our biosafety protocols. Full plasmid sequencing is required. 

Timeline: 4-5 weeks from the time the plasmid is received.

Services include:

• Transfection and supernatant collection.
• Concentration by centrifugation.
• Determination of infectious titer (TU/ml).
• 500 μl of concentrated virus is provided at a titer no less than 1x10⁷TU/ml but potentially greater than 5x10⁸ TU/ml.
• $1,800 for 500ul of purified vector in 100ul aliquots.

• Vehicle: Unless otherwise directed, lentiviral vectors are re-suspended in a standard 4% Lactose/PBS buffer for stability.

ViraPower^TM Lentivirus Expression System References:

LinksZufferey R, Dull T, Mandel RJ, Bukovsky A, Quiroz D, Naldini L, Trono D.Self-inactivating lentivirus vector for safe and efficient in vivo gene delivery. J Virol. 1998 Dec;72(12):9873-80.

LinksDull T, Zufferey R, Kelly M, Mandel RJ, Nguyen M, Trono D, Naldini L. A third-generation lentivirus vector with a conditional packaging system. J Virol. 1998 Nov;72(11):8463-71

Trans-LentiviralTM Packaging System References:

Kappes & Wu, Somatic Cell and Molecular Genetics, Vol. 26, Nos. 1/6, November 2001.

Kappes JC, Wu X, Wakefield JK. Production of trans-lentiviral vector with predictable safety. Methods Mol Med. 2003; 76:449-65.

Kappes JC, Wu X. Safety considerations in vector development. Somat Cell Mol Genet. 2001 Nov;26(1-6):147-58

Liu H, Wu X, Xiao H, et al. Incorporation of functional human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase into virions independent of the Gag-Pol precursor protein. J Virol 1997; 71:7701-7710.

Moloney Murine Leukemia Retrovirus (mMLV) Vectors

mMLV-based vectors are generated by triple transfection.

1. The packaging plasmid encodes the necessary viral proteins in trans, but it is not packaged into the particles. Thus, the vector is non-replicating.

2. The transgene plasmid contains the expression cassette, comprised of the gene and promoter of interest. It also retains the minimal cis acting viral sequences necessary for packaging, reverse transcription and integration.

3. The envelope plasmid provides for the viral envelope protein. Typically, the envelope is VSV-G that has broad tropism and proven packaging efficiency; however, other envelopes can be substituted to alter tropism via a process called pseudotyping.

Material to be provided by the investigator: The gene of interest driven by the appropriate promoter must be cloned into an appropriate transgene plasmid. The investigator will need to provide their own transgene shuttle plasmid because the Viral Vector Core is not licensed to distribute these plasmids.

For new custom mMLV vector production, the investigator will need to provide at least 300 μg of transgene plasmid expressing the gene of interest at a concentration of at least 0.25 μg/μl. We also require a sequence, map, and specific gene of interest information in accordance with our biosafety protocols. Full plasmid sequencing is required. 

Timeline: 4-5 weeks from the time the plasmid is received.

Services include:

• Transfection and supernatant collection.
• Concentration by centrifugation.
• No determination of titer unless GFP or mCherry is expressed; in that case, an infectious titer will be determined by Flow Cytometry.
• 500 μl of concentrated virus is provided at a titer no less than 1x10⁶TU/ml but potentially greater than 5x10⁷ TU/ml.
• $1,800 for 500ul of vector in 100ul aliquots. 

Vehicle: Unless otherwise directed, retroviral vectors are re-suspended in a standard 4% Lactose/PBS buffer for stability.

The University of Iowa Viral Vector Core provides shuttle plasmids at no cost when intended for virus production. Please email Vectors@uiowa.edu for sequence information.

Interested in Ordering?

Please view our ordering information for shuttle plasmids to learn how to register for an account, place orders for shuttle plasmids and make payment through our online system.

Plasmid Backbone

The pFIV3.2 backbone is based on the pVETL Backbone developed by Novartis/Chiron Technologies and modified by Patrick L. Sinn, PhD (University of Iowa) to improve safety and transgene expression:

• The lentiviral central polypurine tract and the central termination sequence were added directly downstream of the gag sequence.
• The Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus Posttranscriptional Regulatory Element, WPRE, was added directly upstream of the rev response element, RRE.
• The major splice donor and the initial gag sequence each have a mutation but the packaging signal was retained.
• The FIV 3’LTR was rendered “self-inactivating” by deleting a portion of the U3 region.

G0654 pFIV3.2mcs

Cat: G0654

pFIV3.2 backbone, multiple cloning site.

G0655 pFIV3.2CMVmcs

Cat: G0655

pFIV3.2 backbone, CMV (Cytomegalovirus) Promoter, multiple cloning site.

G0656 pFIV3.2RSVmcs

Cat: G0656

pFIV3.2 backbone, RSV (Rous sarcoma virus) Promoter, multiple cloning site.

G0667 pFIV3.2CAGmcs

Cat: G0667

pFIV3.2 backbone, CAG (CMV enhancer fused to the chicken beta-actin promoter) Promoter, multiple cloning site.

G0356 pFIV3.2TREmcs

Cat: G0356

pFIV3.2 backbone, TRE tight (TET Response Element) Promoter, multiple cloning site.

G0668 pFIV3.2EF1amcs

Cat: G0668

pFIV3.2 backbone, Human elongation factor-1 alpha (EF1a) Promoter, multiple cloning site..

G0863 pFIV3.2PGKmcs

Cat: G0863

pFIV3.2 backbone, PGK(Phosphoglycerate kinase) Promoter, multiple cloning site.

G0752 pFIV3.2mcswtIRESeGFP

Cat: G0752

pFIV3.2 backbone, multiple cloning site, wild type IRES (internal ribosome entry site), eGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein. The IRES-eGFP functions as a non-fusion protein reporter without the addition of a second promoter.

G0754 pFIV3.2CMVmcswtIRESeGFP

Cat: G0754

pFIV3.2 backbone, multiple cloning site, wild type IRES (internal ribosome entry site), eGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein). The IRES-eGFP functions as a non-fusion protein reporter without the addition of a second promoter.

G0411 pFIV3.2mcseGFP

Cat: G0411

pFIV3.2 backbone, multiple cloning site, eGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein).

G0859 pFIV3.2CMVmcwtIRESZeocin

Cat: G0859

pFIV3.2 backbone, CMV (Cytomegalovirus) Promoter, multiple cloning site, wild type IRES (internal ribosome entry site), Zeocin as a selectable marker.

G0913 pFIV3.2CMVmcwtIRESNeomycin

Cat: G0913

pFIV3.2 backbone, CMV (Cytomegalovirus) Promoter, multiple cloning site, wild type IRES (internal ribosome entry site), Neomycin as a selectable marker.

G0776 pFIV3.2CAGmcswtIRESeGFP

Cat: G0776

pFIV3.2 backbone, CAG (CMV enhancer fused to the chicken beta-actin promoter) Promoter, multiple cloning site, wild type IRES (internal ribosome entry site), eGFP.

G0860 pFIV3.2mcswtIRESZeocin

Cat: G0860

pFIV3.2 backbone, multiple cloning site, wild type IRES (internal ribosome entry site), Zeocin as a selectable marker.

G0432 pFIV3.2mcsCMVeGFP

Cat: G0432

pFIV3.2 backbone backbone, multiple cloning site, CMV (Cytomegalovirus) Promoter, eGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein). Suitable for RNAi cassettes.

G0973 pFIV3.2mU6shSafeCMVeGFP

Cat: G0973

pFIV3.2 backbone backbone, Mouse U6 Promoter driving a scrambled shRNA control shSafe cassette, CMV (Cytomegalovirus) Promoter, eGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein).

Please reference: Boudreau, R. L., et al. (2011). "Rational Design of Therapeutic siRNAs: Minimizing Off-targeting Potential to Improve the Safety of RNAi Therapy for Huntington's Disease." Mol Ther 19(12): 2169-2177.