HIV-based recombinant lentiviral vectors are able to transduce dividing and also non-dividing cells, therefore they are extensively used in the scientific and medical approach.

Their ability to integrate into genomic DNA ensures a stable and constant expression of the incorporated transgene. Lentiviral vectors are used as an alternative for the low-efficient transfection of in vitro cultured cells (infection efficacy is almost 100%), as well as the tools enabling transgene delivery to adult animal tissues and embryos. At LAM we routinely use the 2nd generation lentiviral system. In order to obtain LV vectors we cotransfect HEK 293T cells with a set of vector plasmids (the envelope plasmid, the packaging plasmid and expressing plasmid – carrying the modified gene of interest). 48 h and/or 72h after after transfection, the culture medium is collected and ultracentrifuged. Pellet containing viral particles is dissolved in PBS, aliquoted and stored at -80°C.