Viral vectors and viral particles are exceptional tools for delivering recombinant genetic material into cells both in vitro and in vivo.
Through a viral delivery method, custom genes can be reliably transduced into cells for stable or transient protein expression.
Other than protein-expressing cDNA clones or ORFs, RNA material such as shRNA and miRNA can also be delivered for applications in RNAi and gene silencing.
Components for gene editing applications, including CRISPR, are also available in viral formats.
Some advantages that viral delivery have over traditional plasmid methods include high efficiency transfection for difficult-to-permeate cell types, stable genomic integration, and short development time.
Viral vectors also allow for targeted in vivo delivery and is a promising avenue in the area of gene therapy.
Our diverse catalog lists various vectors from leading suppliers in either vector format or in ready-to-transfect packaged viral particles.
Common types of viral vectors:
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) – AAV is a non-pathogenic, non-enveloped ssDNA virus with a genome size of 4.8 kilobases.
Upon transfection, AAV vectors form non-integrative episomes in dividing and non-dividing cells.
The vector has an insert size of up to 5 kb that can produce transient or stable gene expression.
AAV features tissue specificity based on its different capsid serotypes.
Adenovirus – Adenoviruses are non-enveloped DNA viruses with a genome size of 36 kilobases.
The Adenovirus Ad5 vector features an insert size of 8 kb and forms a non-integrative episome.
It is ideal for efficiently producing high levels of transient expression in a broad range of cell types.
However, adenovirus has a high inflammatory potential which should be considered when transfecting in vivo.
Lentivirus – Lentiviruses are enveloped RNA viruses with a genome size of 8-9 kilobases.
Lentiviral vectors can accommodate inserts of up to 8 kb which can be integrated into the genome to produce stable cell lines.
They can transfect a broad range of mammalian cell types with low inflammatory potential.
Retrovirus – Retroviruses are enveloped RNA viruses with a genome size of 7-11 kilobases.
Retroviral vectors have an insert size of 8 kb that can be integrated into the genome for stable expression.
Note that retroviruses typically can transduce only dividing cells.
Recommended Reading:
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Viral vectors are the principal gene delivery mechanism for gene therapy, but the technique is also used to improve cells used in research and biomanufacturing—the topic of this roundtable discussion.
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Advancements in gene therapy have led to increased demand for viral vector production to support pre-clinical and clinical requirements for both in vivo and ex vivo approaches.