Welcome to the Viral Vector Core

The overall objective of the University of the Connecticut Health Center Viral Vector Core is to support investigators interested in gene transfer using viral vector technologies. The Viral Vector Core facility can assist investigators to develop viral vectors and utilize an investigator-supplied vector (DNA construct) to produce packaged viral vectors for research use. We can also supply prepackaged commonly used vectors and services related to use of viral vectors. The Viral Vector Core staff welcomes users’ ideas and suggestions as to viral vector design and technical improvements.

Our staff will assist investigators interested in developing and using viral vectors for gene transfer by:

• Packaging existing viral vectors
• Quantifying titers of vector stocks
• Assaying for mycoplasma contamination
• Troubleshooting existing projects
• Maintaining and distributing commonly used expression vectors and marker viruses
• Providing help in getting IBC approval
• In conjunction with the UConn-Wesleyan Stem Cell Core, providing reprogramming factors (hKLF4, hcMyc, hOct3/4, hSox2, and hLin28) for iPS cell generation

*Investigators MUST obtain approval from their institutional biosafety committee and fill out any necessary material transfer agreement (MTA) before obtaining vectors.

**Investigators can browse the catalogue for a detailed description of our services and prices and initiate a purchase by logging in to the UConn Health Center Research Store through http://home.uchc.edu, but MUST contact the core to finalize a purchase.