Viral Vector Core (VVC)

PROJECT SUMMARY – VIRAL VECTOR Utilization of recombinant viral vectors are the method of choice for targeted, rapid, and regulated gene delivery in many experimental systems. Access to this technology allows Salk Cancer Center (SCC) scientists to control genetic activity in cells or in whole animals with the goal of better understanding fundamental cellular functions and the molecular underpinnings of cancer and other disease processed. The Viral Vector Shared Resource (VVC) specializes in the design, development, and production of high quality in vitro- and in vivo-grade recombinant viral vectors. It offers convenient ready-to-use stocks, as well as custom preparations of lentiviral vectors, retroviral vectors, adenoviral vector, adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs), vesicular stomatitis viral vectors (VSVs), and rabies vectors. In addition to providing these vector stocks and custom production services, the VVC also maintains a plasmid archive of all viral vectors that have been submitted to the Shared Resource. The plasmid library of packaging plasmids and transfer plasmids for our stock vectors is available at no cost to SCC investigators as a resource for cloning purposes or for packaging viral vector constructs in their own. The VVC is used by 35% of SCC members (11) who are responsible for 62% of all Salk utilization based on recharges. The VVC is located a short walk from the Salk Institute in the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine building (SCRM). Relocation of the VVC to SCRM, along with subsidized rates for Cancer Center members, were designed to promote shared resource usage and collaborations among the C3 member institutions on the mesa (see Overall: Transdisciplinary Collaboration for C3 description).