Vector Development and Production

Core Director:
Bakhos A. Tannous, Ph.D.
Email: btannous@hms.harvard.edu
Phone: 617-726-6026

Core functions: The Neuroscience Center Vector Core was established to meet the increasing need of researchers for recombinant viral vectors capable of achieving efficient and long-lasting genetic modification of cells in primary cultures and living animals. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentivirus vectors have emerged as the most efficient recombinant viral vectors to achieve these goals. Retrovirus vectors continue to be used in niche applications such as transduction of dividing progenitor cells for lineage analysis.

This Core offers advice to the investigators on AAV, lentivirus and retrovirus vectors most appropriate for their research needs based on relative infectivity of cells of interest, use for culture or in vivo studies, promoter considerations, hypotheses being addressed, and appropriate reporter genes. The Core provides appropriate plasmid backbones with different fluorescent markers and construction information and assistance, as well as packaging of vectors for the investigators. Investigators are responsible for inserting their genes of interest into the MCS of vector backbones, validating correct construction by restriction analysis, testing bioactivity by transfection assays (when possible), and supplying clean maxi-prepped DMA for packaging

For more information, contact:

Director of MassGeneral Vector Core

Bakhos A. Tannous, PhD

Department of Neurology

Massachusetts GeneralHospital

Molecular Neurogenetics Unit

149 13^th Street, room 6309

Charlestown, MA02129

Tel: (617) 726-6026

Fax: (617) 724-1537

Core Technician: Grant K. Lewandrowski Email: GLEWANDROWSKI@PARTNERS.ORG Phone: 617-726-6027