Cell Culture and Genetic Engineering Core

The Genetic Engineering and Gene Therapy Core (GEGT) provides Liver Research Center investigators access to an expanded array of customized viral and non-viral vectors, cell marking and reprogramming services, and state-of-the-art reagents for site-specific gene insertion. The mission of the GEGT Core is to work cooperatively with the member laboratories of the LRC to facilitate the development of genetic engineering reagents required for their in vitro and in vivo experiments.

The GEGT Core will provide the following:

1. an extensive array of customized viral and non-viral vectors
2. state-of-the-art reagents for site-specific gene insertion for cell marking, phenotypic correction/modification or down-regulation of gene expression
3. viral and non-viral vectors for reprogramming somatic cells
4. training to Investigators and laboratory personnel for generating gene transfer vectors in their own laboratory
5. consultation for study design and, if appropriate, data analysis

1. New recombinant viral vectors
   1. Generating and providing recombinant adenoviruses
   2. Oncoretrovirus-based gene transfer vectors
      1. Retroviral plasmid backbones
      2. Retroviral packaging cells
      3. Stocks of producer cell lines
   3. Lentivirus-based vectors
      1. Determination of viral titer
2. Generating special non-viral vectors
   1. Producing and providing episomal non-viral vectors (e.g. EBNA plasmids) for prolonged transgene expression
   2. Producing transposition-based non-viral vectors for random insertion of genes of interest that can then be subsequently excised
   3. Generating non-viral vectors for site-specific integration by enhanced homologous recombination
3. Providing premade viral or non-viral vectors to onvestigators
   1. Vectors for reprogramming somatic cells to induced pluripotent cells
   2. Pre-made viruses, plasmids and cell lines
4. Generating genetically marked cell clones
5. Educational services
6. Fostering collaboration