Lentivirus Packaging Service

Quick Turnaround Lentivirus 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 Lentivirus Packaging Production

Lentivirus is a versatile and highly utilized viral vector used in many areas of research and development including cell and gene therapy, immunology, and oncology. Our team is able to package your plasmid DNA construct into lentivirus particles with a variety of production options. 

Below is a list of the research grade lentiviral 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. While we stand by our quick turnaround service to ensure your research stays on schedule, our lead times often change, so be sure to check the lead time for your preferred service.

Purification GradeStandard TiterProduction Volume Options
Crude (for in vitro)~10E8 TU/ml250 μl; 500 μl; 1 ml
Ultracentrifugation purified (for in vitro or in vivo)~10E9 TU/ml250 μl; 500 μl; 1 ml

Our viral vector team uses a validated assay to measure the viral titer in all lentivirus productions. Viral titer is determined through RT-qPCR, utilizing primers that target the long-inverted terminal repeat (LTR) within the viral genome. 

Lentivirus Packaging Production Requirements

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

Lentivirus Packaging Generation: Our facility produces second generation lentivirus packaging and third generation lentivirus packaging productions. For more information on lentivirus packaging generations, learn more below.

Production Scale: Our facility produces lentivirus 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 10E8 TU/ml – 10E9 TU/ml.

Plasmid DNA Requirements: To begin production, we require only 1 μg of your plasmid DNA. We cover all plasmid prep expenses for your lentivirus 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, and lentivirus generation can greatly impact transfection efficiency. Because of this, we produce every production to our client’s lentivirus transfection protocol specifications. If you do not have a lentivirus transfection protocol, we can determine an appropriate one based on your research needs. To learn more, read our article on lentivirus transfection protocols

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

  • Fluorescence microscopy
  • Flow cytometry
  • Western blot
Lentivirus Packaging Transfection Process Overview Lentivirus Packaging Protocol

Production Overview From Packaging Plasmid Transfection To Aliquoting 

Additional Resources

Lentivirus Cell Lines

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

Lentivirus Packaging Cell Options

Although VSV-G pseudotyped lentivirus is common in most lentivirus based research applications, our team can produce productions with pseudotype coronavirus spike protein lentivirus, bald lentivirus lacking viral envelope protein, and integrase-deficient lentivirus. If you have a specific cell option needed for your research application, indicate so when requesting a production.

Lentivirus Packaging Size Limit

According to viral research, the lentivirus packaging size limit is 8-10 kb. Our colleagues at ScienceDirect have published research articles stating a limit of 8 kb¹ ² while other researchers published in Nature have stated a limit of 10 kb³. There are many factors during the transfection process that may affect the size limit of a plasmid DNA construct. Learn more about lentivirus packaging size limit.

CAR-T Lentivirus Packaging

Site directed mutagenesis protocols differ due to a combination of factors, including the nature of the target gene or DNA sequence, the desired outcome of the experiment involving the plasmid DNA construct that is being mutated, and the primers used. We perform site directed mutagenesis productions using our standard proprietary site directed mutagenesis protocol.

Lentiviral Vector Manufacturing

When therapeutic or vaccine research requires high volumes of lentivirus for large research models, pre-clinical trials, clinical trials or commercialization, additional viral vector manufacturing steps are required. Although lentivirus packaging includes many of the same steps as lentiviral vector manufacturing, the additional steps ensure a higher purity, batch manufacturing consistency, and cGMP compliance. Our viral vector team does not currently produce high volume lentiviral vector manufacturing, we can provide a referral.

Lentiviral Cloning and Lentiviral 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.

Lentiviral 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 lentiviral libraries for your research application. To learn more, read about the various types of lentivirus libraries.

Why Choose Lentivirus As A Viral Vector

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

  • Stable Integration: Lentivirus integrates its genetic material into the host cell genome, ensuring long-term, stable expression. This is particularly important for therapies that require persistent gene expression, such as in cell therapies such as CAR-T based and hematopoietic stem cell therapies.
  • Wide Cell Type Compatibility: Lentivirus can transduce both dividing and non-dividing cells, which makes it versatile for a broad range of tissues and therapeutic applications.
  • Lower Immunogenicity: While adenovirus has a high immunogenicity, which can trigger strong immune responses and limit its use for repeated treatments, lentivirus exhibits moderate immunogenicity. This allows for multiple administrations in certain cases, unlike adenovirus, which is typically used in single-dose applications due to immune responses.
  • Efficiency in Gene Transfer: Lentivirus vectors have high transduction efficiency, making them effective for modifying cells at a high rate. This is particularly beneficial in clinical applications like gene therapies for conditions requiring significant cell modification.
  • Proven Clinical Success: Lentivirus has proven its value in several commercialized therapeutics, such as Kymriah, Yescarta, and Zynteglo, for gene editing and cell therapies. This clinical success demonstrates its reliability and safety for therapeutic use.

Lentiviral Based Biopharmaceutical and Biotechnology Research & Development

Lentivirus is an exciting retroviral vector for cell and gene therapy research. Lentiviral vectors have been used in clinical trials and commercial vaccines for the treatment of rare diseases such as immunodeficiencies and neurodegenerative storage diseases. Their application for the research and treatment of more frequent genetic and acquired diseases, including β-thalassemia, Parkinson’s disease, and chimeric antigen receptor-based immunotherapy of cancer, are also being explored.

Pharmaceutical companies like J&J and Bristol Myers Squibb use lentivirus in the research and development of CAR-T based therapies. The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine is keeping record of current cell and gene therapy products including lentivirus based therapies available in different markets across the world.

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

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