Molecular Biology Service

The molecular biology service of the VVF offers:

• cloning of custom-made viral vector and other plasmids
• amplification of custom plasmids (0.5 - 4 mg)
• large scale production of custom plasmids (up to 100 mg)

The molecular biology services are not restricted to viral vector plasmids and available independently from virus production.

Ordering of any of the molecular biology services has to be done via our Ordering System. For an overview of how to become registered and how to use the ordering system, please have a look here.

The VVF offers cloning of customized plasmids independently of virus production.

Customized plasmids can be made either on a custom-made basis (plasmid and the corresponding viral vector are the property of the customer) or can be added to our viral vector repository (if plasmid/viral vector is of general interest; the corresponding viral vector is publicly available).

Prices: custom-made plasmid production (> 500 μg of final construct)

• academia: 975 CHF
• industry: 1300 CHF
• VVF-members: 650 CHF

Prices: plasmid production for repository

• academia: 300 CHF
• industry: 375 CHF
• VVF-members: 200 CHF

Prices are net prices and apply to each construct (intermediate or final). Further information about prices and shipping costs can be found here.

The service of the VVF includes:

• consultation (including cloning strategies)
• synergies (for example, if a particular custom-made plasmid is already available at the VVF, permission is sought to make it available to others)
• thoroughly characterized viral vector backbones
• cloning primers, restriction endonucleases, suitable bacterial strain
• characterization of the intermediate and final constructs by restriction endonuclease digests and Sanger DNA-sequencing
• anion exchange colums (Macherey-Nagel, NucleoBond® Xtra anion-exchange columns)
• isopropanol precipitated plasmid-DNA
• sterile plasmid-DNA dissolved in water (default) or any other suitable buffer
• annotated map and electronic sequence of the final construct
• long-term storage of aliquots at the VVF

For material provided by the customer, we require an annotated electronic sequence. If no sequence is available, the plasmid has to be sequenced either by the customer or by the VVF (additional fees apply, depending on the size of the plasmid).

The VVF does not:

• acquire DNA sequences that are not already available at the VVF
• distribute material covered by MTAs or other legal aspects (the VVF provides assistance for the acquisition of such material)

Timeframe:

Ordering and delivery of missing material (enzymes, primers) usually takes less than 4 weeks. Construction, amplification and characterization of custom-made plasmids is completed within an additional 4 to 6 weeks (depending on the complexity of the cloning strategy).

For using this service, please login into our Ordering System and place a job request.

This service offers the amplification of plasmids provided as DNA (miniprep, spotted on blotting paper) or stab culture (e. g. from Addgene).
Amplification of plasmids can be made either on a custom-made basis (plasmid and the corresponding viral vector are the property of the customer) or the plasmid/viral vector can be added to our viral vector repository (if plasmid/viral vector is of general interest; the corresponding viral vector is publicly available).

Prices: custom-made amplification (0.5 - 4 mg)

• academia: 225 CHF
• industry: 300 CHF
• VVF-members: 150 CHF

Prices: amplification for repository

• academia: 150 CHF
• industry: 200 CHF
• VVF-members: 100 CHF

Prices are net prices. Further information about prices and shipping costs can be found here.

The service of the VVF includes:

• suitable bacterial strain
• anion exchange colums (Macherey-Nagel, NucleoBond® Xtra anion-exchange columns)
• isopropanol precipitated plasmid-DNA
• sterile plasmid-DNA dissolved in water (default) or any other suitable buffer
• characterization of final product by sequencing and restriction endonuclease digestion
• long-term storage of aliquots at the VVF

For plasmids provided by the customer, we require an annotated electronic sequence. If no sequence is available, the plasmid has to be sequenced either by the customer or by the VVF (additional fees apply, depending on the size of the plasmid).

Timeframe:

Amplification and characterization of plasmids can be completed within 2 weeks, if all prerequisites are fulfilled and no instability or toxicity is associated with the plasmid.

For using this service, please login into our Ordering System and place a job request.

The VVF also offers large scale amplification of already existing plasmids. We have successfully produced 100 mg of a lentiviral plasmid in the past.

Prices and production time depend on the nature of the plasmid and the amount you need.

For using this service, please login into our Ordering System and place a job request. We will then discuss your needs in further detail.