Vector Core

 Robert H. Kutner, Core Director

The LSU Vector Core is an open resource available for investigators to have access to new recombinant vaccine vectors and novel viral vector technology for basic research applications and other preclinical studies.  The Core provides these technologies to investigators locally, nationally, and internationally.  With consultation available, the Core can assist in deciding which design of viral vector to use and recommend a milieu of options for preparing a virus stock. By providing such powerful vehicles for gene delivery, investigators will be able to efficiently understand their gene of interests function and confidently develop conclusions.

          Current vector systems include: recombinant adenoviral vectors, HIV-1-based lentiviral vectors, and single or double stranded adeno-associated viral vectors. The Vector Core has implemented improved strategies for vector construction, production, purification, and quality control. To streamline construction of viral vectors, Invitrogen Gateway® technology has been engineered into all of these vector systems. Any these viral vectors can be produced in small or large scale quantities, concentrated by traditional centrifugation techniques, or purified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography.  Preparations of vectors are measured for virus titer, sterility, and replication deficiency. Vaccine systems to be implemented in the near future, representing a new technology for the core, include recombinant fowlpox and modified vaccinia Ankara.    

          In collaboration with the Audubon Institute for Endangered Species, we successfully generated a transgenic green fluorescent cat and future work is being done to develop this technology into large animal disease models.  Great progress has been made in developing pseudotyped lentivirus consistently and with reproducibly as outlined in our Nature protocols publication. Also, we have published a purification scheme for lentivirus that involves HPLC and HYPERFlasks which is now online at BMC biotechnology.

 For more information:  www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/vectorcore

 Updated 3/09