Why Lentiviral Vectors for Basic Research?
Lentiviral vectors (LVs) are a cornerstone of modern gene therapy and basic research due to their unique ability to infect both dividing and non-dividing cells. However, researchers often face challenges such as low transfection efficiency in primary cells, plasmid instability, and the need for complex downstream applications like differentiation or reprogramming.
Creative Biolabs addresses these pain points with a modular, one-stop development service. Whether you need to establish stable cell lines, manipulate stem cells, or perform in vivo studies, our optimized LV platforms ensure consistent, high-level expression and safety.
Broad Tropism
Efficiently transduces "difficult" targets like hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), neurons, and T cells where traditional methods fail.
Stable Expression
Integrates into the host genome to provide long-term stability, ideal for lineage tracing and generating stable cell lines.
Flexible Design
Highly customizable with various promoters, reporters, inducible modules, and safety features (SIN, IDLV) to match your exact needs.
Service Modules
Gene Silencing
Ideal for gene function studies, pathway validation, and drug resistance mechanism research.
Expert design of targets and silencers (shRNA/amiRNA) with off-target avoidance and structural stability assessment.
Choice of constitutive, inducible, or tissue-specific promoters. Inclusion of safety elements like insulators.
Comprehensive performance data provided via qRT-PCR, Western Blot, and transduction efficiency assays.
Stem Cell Research
Tailored for hESC/iPSC, HSC, and MSC differentiation, lineage tracing, and stable expression.
Promoters optimized for stem cell activity to prevent silencing. Methods to ensure maintenance of pluripotency or drive specific differentiation.
Full-service support from vector design to high-titer packaging suitable for sensitive primary stem cells.
Cellular Reprogramming
Fast and robust strategies for iPSC induction and transdifferentiation models.
Polycistronic vectors for multi-factor expression (e.g., OSKM) in a single construct. Inducible Tet-On/Off systems for timed expression.
Designed for high efficiency reprogramming with options for excisable (Cre-LoxP) vectors to create footprint-free cells.
Immune Modulation
Tools for immune enhancement, balance recovery, and immunotherapy development.
Expression of cytokines, chemokines, CARs, or TCRs. Specific targeting of immune cells (T cells, NK cells, DC) via pseudotyping.
Balancing the immune system for correct function and studying mechanisms of immune response.
Gene Editing
Efficient delivery systems for KO/KI, gRNA libraries, and stable Cas9 models.
Support for All-in-One or Dual-Vector systems. Optimization of gRNA scaffolds for higher editing efficiency.
Custom CRISPR library construction and packaging for high-throughput screening applications.
Mitochondria Localization
Specific targeting of proteins/probes to mitochondria for functional studies.
Fusion of MTS/MLS (Mitochondrial Targeting Sequences) to your protein of interest. Optimization of positive charge and length for import.
Study mitochondrial dynamics, metabolism, or deliver therapeutic molecules specifically to this organelle.
What We Build for You
Custom-engineered solutions tailored to your specific research requirements, ensuring high performance and reliability.
Vector Design & Strategy
We go beyond standard backbones. Our team custom-engineers lentiviral vectors to optimize expression levels, stability, and tissue specificity. We carefully select every component of the vector architecture to match your biological question, ensuring that your experimental variables are controlled and your data is reproducible.
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Promoter Selection We offer a wide range of promoters including constitutive (CMV, EF1α, PGK, UBC) for high-level expression, and tissue-specific options (Synapsin, GFAP, Tie2) to restrict expression to target cells, avoiding potential toxicity or off-target effects.
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Reporters & Tags Choose from a variety of fluorescent proteins (GFP, RFP, mCherry) for live imaging or FACS, and epitope tags (HA, Flag, Myc) for easy protein purification and Western blotting, without interfering with the function of your gene of interest.
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Regulatory Elements Our vectors incorporate WPRE and cPPT to enhance viral titer and nuclear translocation. We also utilize insulators (e.g., cHS4) to prevent promoter silencing and ensure stable, long-term transgene expression in stem cells and primary cultures.
Cloning & Sequence Verification
Accuracy is non-negotiable in gene delivery. We employ advanced seamless cloning technologies (such as In-Fusion or Gibson Assembly) to assemble your constructs without introducing unwanted scar sequences. This ensures precise insertion and maintains the integrity of the reading frame.
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Rigorous Verification Every construct undergoes Sanger sequencing covering the full insert and flanking regions. For complex libraries, we utilize Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to validate coverage and distribution.
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High-Quality Plasmid Prep We deliver Endotoxin-free Midi or Maxi prep plasmids (>1.8 A260/280 ratio), ensuring they are transfection-ready and safe for sensitive cell lines.
Production & Purification
From small-scale pilot screens to large-scale in vivo animal studies, we provide viral vectors at the scale and purity you need. Our optimized HEK293T packaging system, combined with proprietary transfection reagents, ensures high titers. We offer different purification tiers to match the sensitivity of your application.
| Scale / Grade | Typical Titer | Recommended Application |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot Scale (Crude) | > 10^7 TU/mL | In vitro cell line screening, construct validation, short-term assays. |
| Mid Scale (Concentrated) | > 10^8 TU/mL | Hard-to-transfect cell lines, primary cell transduction, stem cell modification. |
| In Vivo Ready (Ultra-Pure) | > 10^9 TU/mL | Animal injections (systemic or local), applications requiring low endotoxin and high potency. |
Use Cases / Application Scenarios
Gene Silencing
- • Pathway validation
- • Drug resistance mechanism
- • Target deconvolution
Stem Cell
- • Lineage tracing
- • Stable factor expression during differentiation
- • Reporter line generation
Reprogramming
- • OSKM multi-factor delivery
- • Inducible window control
- • Footprint-reduction strategy
Immune Modulation
- • Cytokine modulation
- • CAR expression research
- • Immune signaling perturbation
Gene Editing
- • Stable Cas9 model generation
- • gRNA library delivery
- • KO/KI research
Mitochondria
- • MTS-fusion localization
- • Mito reporter probe
- • Metabolism mechanism study
How We De-risk Your Lentiviral Project
Design Layer
We don't just clone; we review. Expert assessment of promoter choices, expression control elements, and vector architecture minimizes experimental rework.
- Promoter/Expression control review
- Vector architecture optimization
Production Layer
Consistency is key. Rigorous batch records and a comprehensive QC checklist ensure that every lot performs predictably.
- Detailed Batch Records
- Comprehensive QC Checklist
Application Layer
We understand biology. We provide scenario-based recommendations to avoid common pitfalls in stem cell, immune, and mitochondrial research.
- Scenario-based recommendations
- Avoidance of common biological pitfalls
Communication Layer
Transparent and fast. Dedicated Project Managers and Scientist reviews with a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for quick responses.
- Dedicated PM support
- Scientist review SLA (24–48h response)
End-to-End Workflow
Requirement Intake & Feasibility
Input: Target gene, cell type, experimental goal (OE/KD/Edit), regulation needs.
Output: Custom vector strategy, element selection, risk assessment.
Vector Architecture Design
Selection of promoters (Constitutive/Inducible), reporters (GFP/RFP), markers (Puro/Neo), and safety elements (SIN/Insulators).
Insert Design & Optimization
Design of shRNA/amiRNA sequences, gRNA optimization, multi-gene linkers, or MTS fusion peptides based on specific application.
Cloning & Verification
Plasmid construction followed by rigorous sequencing validation. Delivery of Vector Map and Sequence files.
Packaging & Production
Small to mid-scale viral packaging. Pseudotype selection (VSV-G, etc.) tailored to target cells. Titer and sterility checks.
Application Support
Guidance on transduction conditions (MOI, enhancers) and protocols for verifying knockdown, expression, or editing efficiency.
Performance & Quality Control
We provide rigorous QC to ensure your vectors meet the highest standards for consistency and reliability.
| QC Parameter | Methodology | Standard / Result |
|---|---|---|
| Construct Accuracy | Sanger Sequencing / Restriction Enzyme Digest | 100% Sequence Match to Design |
| Viral Titer | p24 ELISA / qPCR |
> 10^8 TU/mL (Standard) > 10^9 TU/mL (Concentrated) |
| Purity & Sterility | Microbial Culture / Mycoplasma PCR / Endotoxin Assay | Sterile, Free of Mycoplasma & Endotoxin |
| Transduction Efficiency | Fluorescence Microscopy / Flow Cytometry | Reference data provided for specific cell types |
| Functional Validation | qRT-PCR / Western Blot / Phenotypic Assay | Confirmed Knockdown/Expression/Editing |
Deliverables
Plasmid Deliverables
Vector Map, Sequence Files, Cloning Info, and Sequencing Reports.
Virus Deliverables
Viral stock (Vol/Conc), Titer Report, QC Certificate, Storage Info.
Validation Data
Optional reports: Knockdown/Expression efficiency, FACS, qPCR, or WB.
Frequently Asked Questions
Project Planning Checklist
Prepare this information to fast-track your inquiry:
- Target: Gene Name / Sequence (NCBI ID/FASTA)
- Cells: Primary cells, Stem cells, or Cell lines?
- Goal: Overexpression, Knockdown, Editing, Reprogramming?
- Control: Inducible, Tissue-specific, or Constitutive?
- Markers: GFP/RFP? Puro/Neo/Hygro selection?
Ready to Start?
Submit your checklist and our scientists will provide a customized strategy.
Start Your Project Today
Tell us about your project, and our experts will get back to you with a customized quote and proposal.
