Lentiviral Vectors : DNA delivery technology

Lentiviral vectors display outstanding performances to transfer genetic material : They can be used into dividing and non-dividing cells. The copy number of a sequence that integrates into the host DNA can vary by tailoring the dosage of lentiviral vectors applied to the target cells (Multiplicity Of Infection). Integration of the selected genetic material into the host genome is stable.

 

Why choose Flash Therapeutics lentiviral vectors ?

The high concentration of Flash Therapeutics’ lentiviral vectors allows about 100% efficient transduction of most cell types (immortalized, primary, or stem cells), by simply tailoring the dose (multiplicity of infection : MOI), i.e the number of lentiviral particles applied per cell. 
For immortalized cell lines, which are usually very permissive, Flash Therapeutics provides Start-grade lentiviral vector batches. For primary and stem cells, Premium-grade lentiviral vector is recommended. 

• High transduction efficiency at low dose
• Original cell phenotype maintenance
• Engineered cell function preservation

Flash Therapeutics’ purification process prevents cellular toxicity. Transducing your eukaryotic target cells with our high quality lentiviral vectors does not affect cell viability, phenotype, ability to proliferate or progress along a differentiation pathway.

 

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Several tools are available on the market for the transfer of genetic material into host cells. Lentiviral vectors display outstanding performances to transfer genetic material: They can be used into dividing and non-dividing cells. The copy number of a sequence that integrates into the host DNA can vary by tailoring the dosage of lentiviral vectors applied to the target cells (Multiplicity Of Infection). Integration of the selected genetic material into the host genome is always random and stable.

Transfection vs Transduction
	Transfection	Adenoviral associated vectors	Lentiviral vectors
WT virus	No viral sequence	Linerar single-stranded DNA	Linear single-stranded RNAs
Insert size	No limit, in theory	4.5 kb	10 kb
Expression	Transient	Transient/Stable	Stable
Specificity	na	Restrained to AAV capsids	Ubiquitous or specific according to enveloppe protein
Genome status	Episomal	Episomal	Integrated
Target cells	Dividing	Dividing and quiescent	Dividing and quiescent
Applications	Mostly in vitro immortalized cells	Mostly in vivo	In vitro, in vivo, Immortalized & primary cells

Two other commonly used methods are transfection (non-viral), and adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV).

Each method has both advantages and drawbacks for specific applications, depending on its technical characteristics. For example, the use of AAVs for the transfer of genetic material is limited by the length of the sequence of interest and by the pseudotype ; non-viral methods can be problematic for the study of gene expression in primary cells because of cell toxicity and/or lower efficiency.

Key applications 

Thanks to high and stable expression, lentiviral vectors are particularly suitable for:

• Immunotherapy approaches
• Gene addition
• Cell line generation