AAV Packaging Services

Quick Turnaround AAV Packaging for Research and Development

Plasmid DNA Constructs Cloned

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Viral Vectors Packaged

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Plasmid DNA Preparations

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Let's Start Your AAV Packaging Production

AAV, or adeno-associated virus, is a frequently used viral vector in many areas of research and development including cell and gene therapy, precision medicine, and vaccine development. Our team is able to package your plasmid DNA construct into AAV particles with a variety of production options.

Below is a list of the research grade AAV vector services we currently provide. If you’re unsure which packaging service is right for your research, our team is more than happy to discuss your project. Our lead times often change, so be sure to check the lead time for your preferred service before you begin production.

Our viral vector team also performs adenovirus packaging services.

Purification Grade	Standard Titer	Production Volume Options
Crude (for in vitro)	~10E11 GC/ml	250 μl; 500 μl; 1 ml
Ultracentrifugation purified (for in vitro or in vivo)	~10E13 GC/ml	250 μl; 500 μl; 1 ml

Our viral vector team uses a validated assay to measure the viral titer in all AAV productions. Viral titer is determined through RT-qPCR, utilizing primers designed to amplify conserved internal sequences in the adeno-associated genome.

Adeno-Associated Virus Packaging Production Requirements

To get started on your AAV packaging production, or start a formal quote, the following information is needed:

AAV Packaging Serotype: Our facility can produce adeno-associated virus packaging productions to match your research needs including serotypes: AAV1, AAV2, AAV5, AAV6, AAV8, AAV9, AAV-DJ, AAVrh10, and Anc80.

Production Scale: Our facility produces AAV packaging productions in 250 μl; 500 μl; 1 ml batches. For higher volumes, please indicate so when requesting a quote.

Titer and Production Purity: We measure viral titer RT-qPCR, utilizing primers that target the long-inverted terminal repeat (LTR) within the viral genome. Depending on the plasmid DNA construct, viral titers can range 10E11 TU/ml – 10E13 CL/ml.

Plasmid DNA Requirements: To begin production, we require only 1 μg of your plasmid DNA. We cover all plasmid prep expenses for your AAV production. Our plasmid preparations are always performed in house and result in endotoxin free and animal free plasmid DNA. To learn more, read about our plasmid preparation services.

Transfection Protocol: Viral payload, cell line, cell type, AAV serotype, and helper plasmids can greatly impact transfection efficiency. Because of this, we produce every production to our client’s AAV transfection protocol specifications. If you do not have a AAV packaging protocol, we can determine an appropriate one based on your research needs. To learn more, read our article on AAV packaging protocols.

Quality Control Assay Options: All AAV productions have their titer levels measured with a RT-qPCR assay. In addition, we can perform the following quality control tests upon request:

ELISA
Infectious titer assay
SDS-PAGE / Western blot
Transmission Electron Microscopy
Analytical Ultracentrifugation
Sterility test / endotoxin assay

Adeno-associated Virus Packaging Production Process

Additional Resources

AAV Packaging Serotypes

Adeno-Associated Virus Packaging Serotypes

Our facility can produce adeno-associated virus packaging productions to match your research needs including AAV serotypes: AAV1, AAV2, AAV5, AAV6, AAV8, AAV9, AAV-DJ, AAVrh10, and Anc80. This table provides a breakdown of each serotype, its tropism, and its packaging capacity:

AAV Serotype	Tropism	Packaging Limit
AAV1	Muscle; Neurological	4.7 kb
AAV2	Retinal	4.7 kb
AAV5	Neurological; Respiratory; Retinal; Skeletal	4.7 kb
AAV6	Muscle	4.7 kb
AAV8	Cardiac; Hepatic; Muscle; Pancreatic; Retinal	4.8 – 5.0 kb
AAV9	Cardiac; Hepatic; Neurological	5.0 – 5.2 kb
AAVDJ	Broad Tissue	5.3 – 5.5 kb
AAVrh10	Neurological	4.8 – 5.0 kb
AAnc80	Broad Tissue; Liver; Muscle; Neurological	5.2 – 5.5 kb

AAV Genome Packaging

One of the most challenging aspects of utilizing AAV as a viral vector is the limited capacity, depending on serotype. Achieving a high titer with a large transgene is very challenging but there are ways to increase packaging efficiency or work arounds to ensure the genetic payload is efficiency delivered to the target cell. To learn more, read our article on AAV genome packaging.

AAV Packaging Cell Line

Adeno-Associated Virus Packaging Cell Line

Our lab performs AAV transduction using a HEK293T cell line (Human Embryonic Kidney 293 Transient) because of its high transfection efficiency. To learn more, read our article on AAV packaging cell line.

AAV Packaging Capacity

Adeno-Associated Virus Packaging Capacity

AAV vectors have a packaging capacity of approximately 4.7 kilobases (kb) depending on the serotype. This limited capacity requires that the transgene of interest, along with any necessary regulatory elements, must fit within this size constraint for efficient packaging and delivery. Learn more about AAV packaging capacity.

AAV Packaging Plasmids

Adeno-Associated Virus Packaging Plasmids

During the packaging process, several key plasmids are used to ensure efficient production of AAV vectors. These plasmids typically include AAV expression plasmid (transgene plasmid), and AAV helper plasmid (AAV Rep/Cap plasmid), AAV adenovirus helper plasmid. Learn more about AAV packaging plasmids.

AAV Cloning and AAV Library Production Services

Our cloning team can help design and produce the custom plasmid DNA construct for your research. To learn more, read about our molecular cloning services.

AAV libraries provide a powerful and versatile tool for studying gene function, identifying therapeutic targets, and advancing the understanding of biological systems and diseases. Our cloning and viral vector teams can help design AAV libraries for your research application.

Why Choose AAV As A Viral Vector

AAV stands out as an ideal viral vector for several reasons compared to adenovirus, lentivirus, and retrovirus for several important reasons:

Genome Integration: AAV remains episomal, avoiding the risk of insertional mutagenesis associated with retrovirus and lentivirus.
Tissue Tropism: AAV offers broad tropism with serotype specificity for both dividing and non-dividing cells.
Packaging Size: Although limited to ~4.7 kb, AAV’s compact genome delivery ensures efficient transduction.
Production: AAV is scalable with advanced systems and achieves high purity for clinical use.
Immune Response: AAV triggers a mild immune response, making it suitable for long-term or repeat dosing.
Proven Clinical Success: AAV has proven its value in several commercialized therapeutics, such as Luxturna, Zolgensma, and Hemgenix, for gene editing and cell therapies. This clinical success demonstrates its reliability and safety for therapeutic use.

AAV Based Biopharmaceutical and Biotechnology Research & Development

AAV is an exciting adenoviridae derived vector for cell and gene therapy research. Adeno-associated viral vectors have been used in clinical trials and commercial vaccines for the treatment of ocular, neurological, and hematological diseases. Their application for the research and treatment of rare diseases and hereditary diseases, including retinal, CNS, and cardiovascular, are also being explored.

Pharmaceutical companies like Spark Therapeutics use AAV in the research and development of therapies. The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine is keeping record of current cell and gene therapy products including AAV based therapies available in different markets across the world.

Want to learn more about the latest in AAV based research? Our colleagues at ScienceDirect and Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News are always collecting and publishing the latest information on AAV based research.