LentiMax is a highly optimized HIV-based Lentiviral vector that can be customized to express a gene, gene + reporter, or a gene silencing sequence.

Your custom vector can be designed three ways -- by phone, by fax or online using LentiDesign™. Our expert staff will be happy to help you design your custom vector; please call 1-877-MY-LENTI to speak with our Technical Support personnel.

LentiMax vector particles are made using Lentigen's unique helper system that has been optimized for both high titer and safety. Vector and helper plasmids are transfected into a 293-based cell line and the vector particles are harvested, concentrated and purified to high titer. Vectors are made under stringent quality control guidelines. Batch records are kept for the construction, validation, manufacture and final quality control testing of every lot of Lentiviral vector produced. Vectors are assayed for sterility and copy number in transduced cells via quantitative PCR. Other assays can be performed upon request.

The vector can be thawed and refrozen, but multiple freeze/thaws will result in a decreased vector titer.

The vector titer is the amount of vector present per milliliter of solution. The titration value is used to determine the amount of vector that is required for cell transduction.

We produce vector preparations that are routinely between 1 x 10⁸ and 1 x 10⁹ transducing units (TU) per mL, as assayed by quantitative PCR on transduced 293 cells.

Transducing Units refer to the number of vector genomes that can infect, enter and integrate into a population of cells. Transducing units are expressed as per milliliter to refer to the number of cells that are infected by the vector per milliliter of vector solution.

The protocol may vary for different cell types, but generally, vector is simply added to the cells at an appropriate MOI for 2-4 hours and the cells are washed prior to adding complete medium to the cells for culture.

The Multiplicity Of Infection (MOI) is the number of vector units used to infect or transduce a single cell. If the MOI is 1, then the number of vector transducing units per cell is 1. If the MOI is 10, then there are 10 transducing units of vector per cell.

The transduction efficiency can be measured by assaying for vector copy number via real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in transduced cells. Primers for quantification of the number of vector copies are available from Lentigen.

LentiMax permanently delivers your gene or gene silencing sequence into cells by integrating the DNA into the cells' chromosome. As the cell divides, your gene or gene silencing sequence is also copied and is therefore present in all daughter cells.

This will vary depending upon the cell type. You should consult the literature for any specific procedures related to your cell type. A generic protocol is provided with your shipment. Our expert staff is available to help you optimize a transduction protocol for your specific needs.

LentiMax is designed with clinical translation in mind. LentiMax and the LentiMax Production System have been engineered with numerous safety features to increase the safety of the vector system for translation into human clinical trials. Currently LentiMax is licensed for laboratory and clinical research use only. Please inquire about the use of LentiMax for commercial purposes.

Yes, under certain specific circumstances. If your custom construct requires multiple cloning steps, there is an additional charge of $1,500.00 for each additional cloning step. Also, there is a charge of $2.50 per base if you would like Lentigen to synthesize the gene or gene silencing sequence, rather than you providing the DNA directly.

Our estimated turnaround time is approximately 20 business days from receipt of your order and materials (if applicable). Your individualized account page will provide you with an estimated shipping date based on real-time estimates.

No, that is not possible. The LentiMax vector is used to make the LV particles in the packaging cells. The packaged particles only contain the RNA version of the LentiMax vector region found between the 5' and 3' LTR's.

The amount of cells that can be transduced depends upon your chosen target cells and how easily they are transduced. Primary or other difficult cells may require higher MOI's than cell lines. It is advisable to perform a limiting dilution titer on your cell line utilizing our LentiGFP stock LV (LV-175GFP or LV-173GFP) to determine the optimal amount of viral particles needed for your particular cell type.

LentiMax LVs are pseudotyped with, for example, VSV-G Protein (or the envelope pseudotype of your choice). VSV-G is pantropic and allows for transduction of a wide range of cell types. Also, lentivirus does not require a mitotic event for integration into the host cell genome. It is advisable to consult the literature or perhaps utilize our LentiGFP stock lentiviral vector particles (LV-175GFP or LV-173GFP) to determine if your target cells are capable of being transduced with LentiMax LVs.

Lentigen provides a certificate of analysis that contains detailed information on the vector titer, its sterility and volume, and titer via qPCR on transduced 293 cells.

The vectors should be used in a BSL2 tissue culture cabinet using gloves and standard tissue culture procedures.

Lentiviral vectors have been safely used in numerous laboratories around the world without incident. The vectors can be used in a standard BSL2 tissue culture cabinet.

A Self-Inactivating (SIN) vector is a retroviral vector that contains a non-functional or modified 3' Long Terminal Repeat (LTR) sequence that is copied to the 5' end of the vector genome during its reverse transcription and integration. This results in both LTR's being modified, inactivating the original promoter activity.

No, LentiMax lentiviral vectors are engineered for maximum biosafety, and are therefore replication incompetent. Genes for replication are not included in the packaged viral genome, and the lentiviral vector contains a self-inactivating 3'LTR.

The vector can be stored for at least 6 months at -80C without a significant loss of titer.

The actual titer will vary depending upon the type of insert you place in your lentiviral vector. Typical titers of between 1 x 10⁸ and 1 x 10⁹ TU/mL are obtained using our manufacturing processes, as assayed via qPCR on 293 cells.

We provide 100 µl of highly concentrated lentiviral vector preparation. If you need more of your custom lentiviral vector, we will provide you with an unlimited number of additional aliquots for a set low fee. Larger quantities of vector can also be obtained. Please call for pricing information.

Upon purchasing a product containing Lentigen's proprietary lentiviral technology, the purchaser will receive a license to use the product for noncommercial research and development purposes.

Yes, please contact Lentigen for terms and conditions.