VECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION CORE FACILITY

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The Vector Core directs the production of the oncoretrovirus, lentivirus, and recombinant AAV vectors. The virus vector production facility maximizes resource utilization and efficiency by centralizing the production of recombinant virus vector production, such that it is all done using standard protocols and the same strict guidelines for all of the gene therapy projects that are pursued at TNPRC. By providing vector core services, the VDPC will have a large impact not only on the Gene Therapy Program, but on other divisions such as Comparative Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology within the TNPRC, but also Departments and Centers within the Tulane Health Sciences Center and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. In collaboration with the Division of Microbiology and Immunology, the VDPC has begun to generate vectors that express recombinant proteins with investigators at the TNPRC. The goals of the Core are: 1. Prepare recombinant virus vectors for use in gene therapy and vaccine studies. 2. Consult with investigators on vector design and construction. 3. Develop novel MLV, LV and AAV vectors for future core use. 4. Explore novel virus vector systems for use in core production.