Viral Vectors Core Charges

Pricing effective February 2024

ITEM #	Item	Unit	Charge
1	Subcloning: Simple	Each	$700
2	Subcloning: Complex	Each	$1,320
3	Subcloning: Custom	Each	TBD
4	PLASMID PREP	Each	$250
5	LENTIVIRUS PREP: Large Scale	Each	$1,650
6	LENTIVIRUS PREP: Small Scale (10 ml crude supernatant)	Each	$350
7	LENTIVIRUS PREP: Small Scale (purified and titered)	Each	$825
8	VIRAL TITER: FACS/qPCR/Cell count (included in viral preps)	Each	$350
9	LENTIVIRUS ALIQUOT	Each	$60
10	Use of core hoods	Hour	$70
11	Other (Specify)	Each	TBD
12	LENTI ALIQUOT sampler (choose 3 among PGK, CMV, ubiq, Synapsin, GFAP promoter-GFP virus, small aliquots)	Each	$80
13	AAV ALIQUOT sampler (AAV1, AAV2, AAV5, small aliquots)	Each	$80
14	Plasmid Prep-mini	Each	$85
15	Plasmid Transfection	Each	$140
16	Immunostaining	Each	$140
17	Consultation I	1/2 Hour	$25
18	Consultation II	1/2 Hour	$50
19	In Lab Training	1 Hour	$70
20	AAV PREP: Large scale	Each	$3,450
21	AAV PREP: Small scale	Each	$1725
22	AAV ALIQUOT for Optogenetics	100 μl	$300

Note: If the titer of a viral vector prep is below the expected range, Viral Vector Core will identify the cause of the problem and make another attempt to produce the requested viral vector. If low titer was likely due to mistakes during the vector production and purification, the core will make a new prep without charge. If low titer is caused by a larger than optimal insert, mutation, deletion, or impurity of transfer plasmid supplied by the user, the PI will be billed. In rare cases, it may not be possible to make a high titer prep with specific inserts. The core will work with investigators to maximize titers in this situation and will keep users informed of charges for multiple preps.

Detailed description of services

• Subcloning: For labs that do not have the expertise to create their own constructs, the viral core will insert a gene of interest into lentiviral or AAV transfer vector. User provides source DNA with detailed map and sequences of the plasmid (hard copy OK but electronic preferred).
  Simple subcloning: Gene of interest can be inserted using restriction enzyme digestion and ligation.
  More complex: restriction site needs to be added to gene of interest, protein tags added, mutations introduced, etc.
  Custom/Develop new vector: For example, add new promoter to viral vectors. Available promoters in lentivirus now are CMV, PGK, MPB, MND, GFAP, synapsin and ubiquitin.
• Plasmid preparation: Core will prepare a “Mega” prep of plasmid DNA suitable for use in lentiviral transfection. User provides small amount of DNA. Typical yields are at least 500 μg DNA (> 1 mg for high copy number plasmids).
• Lentivirus preparation: Core transfects viral transfer vector and generates lentivirus. If user provides transfer vector, user is responsible for insuring that vector is cloned correctly with all required sequences for viral production. Virus is purified by ultracentrifugation, titer (≥5 x10^7, typically 10^8 IU/ml). Large scale prep is 10-20 x 10 cm dishes. Small scale prep is a 6 well culture vessel. Small scale plus purification and titration is 5 x 10 cm dishes. User provides 500 μg of purified transfer plasmid DNA for large scale prep (or core prepares plasmid as above). Titering by FACS or qPCR is included. Viruses expressing other markers (lacZ, myc, HA tags, proteins for which an antibody is available) can be titered by serial dilution, immunochemistry and cell counting for additional charge. User should provide a protocol for non-standard epitopes.
• Lentivirus aliquot: Aliquots of purified viruses are available. Titers are at least 5 x 10^7 IU/ml. Aliquot size is at least 10 μl.
• AAV vector preparation: User provides 1mg of purified transfer plasmid DNA (or core prepares mega DNA prep at additional charge). NOTE: User is responsible for insuring that AAV vector is cloned correctly. Core may do diagnostic digests to confirm that vectors are correct. Core transfects viral transfer vector and AAV helper plasmids to produce AAV vector with serotype of choice. AAV vector is purified by Iodixanol gradient centrifugation and affinity or ion exchange column. Titer is determined by Dot blot analysis or qPCR and is typically ≥10^12 vector genome/ml. Infectious center assay is performed for every batch of vectors for our internal quality control. Transduction efficiency is routinely tested in murine neocortical cultures provided that the construct contains a fluorescence reporter.
• AAV vector aliquot: Aliquots of purified AAV vectors are available. Titers are at least 1 x 10^12 vg/ml. Aliquot size is at least 10 μl.
• Other: Core training in protocols and techniques is billed on a time-based basis.
  Use of core supplies and equipment is billed on a cost recovery basis.
  Use of core hoods is charged at $60 per hour in half-hour increments.
  Consultation: Routine discussions of projects are covered under costs of projects. More extensive consultation and training is billed on a time basis and also on the number of core staff involved.

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Updated 2/7/2024