2012-01-09
A virus is defined by its ability to escape the human defense system, eventually delivering its genome into the cell it wants to infect. These unique navigating skills are of particular interest to scientists who want to transfer genetic material into cells for experimental purposes. The adeno-associated virus (AAV) is specifically suited as a vehicle for transportation of genes into brain cells. Bagadilico is now introducing a new facility, specifically designed for producing AAV-vectors. The lab will be fully operational in February, adding important capacity to the overall Bagadilico infrastructure.
The use of viral vectors can be described as hijacking the viruses’ natural capability to carry genes into a cell. Instead of allowing the virus to put in place the genes that help replicate the virus, the shell of the virus is used to transport ‘good genes’ that can have a therapeutic effect. In effect, the method is a highly sophisticated way of piggybacking on nature itself.
Creating viral vectors is a meticulous job that demands expert competence in molecular biology. New Bagadilico recruit Jenny Johansson is responsible for the making of AAV-vectors in the new lab. Operating as a one-woman vector factory she will be the important first link in many future research experiments within Bagadilico.
- What attracts me is the technical side of viral vector development. I have previously worked a lot with the cells that we use to produce the virus inside of. With this new job it’s very exciting to clone and develop other molecular techniques. It gives me the opportunity to become an expert, to specialise in a narrow field of research. Hopefully this will mean that I become really good at it, says Jenny Johansson.
Jenny has already started producing custom-made viral vectors for a number of research groups within Bagadilico. As she waits for the new lab to be set up she is using a neighbouring facility as a makeshift solution. Provisional working conditions haven’t stopped her from producing a steady supply of vectors during her first two months.
- So far it’s been going well, the vectors are looking good. Of course, one must always test the vectors on animals to make sure that they are effective and can do the job, this will take a little time yet. But as far as we can measure them with our instruments they are what we want.
The Vector of the Future
AAV-vectors have become the gene delivery system of choice in many gene therapy procedures. These vectors have a broad range of infectivity, including both dividing and nondividing cells, and appear to be nonpathogenic. Wild-type AAV demonstrates a natural tendency for site-specific integration in the host cell, an important feature for most applications in gene therapy. The development of effective AAV vectors over the past years have presented scientists with an efficient DNA carrier system.
Johan Jakobsson, who is running the lab, has a lot of expertise in this area and will act as a sounding board for the Bagadilico scientists who aim to use the new lab in the coming years.
- What we can offer with this method is genetic modification of specific populations of cells in the brain, giving you the option of choosing which cells to modify. This flexibility means that you can quite easily make a variety of genetic modifications. For example, if you compare to transgenic mice, which is a very time consuming process, this technique is much faster.
The demand for AAV-vectors is increasing on a global scale and the new facility is an indication that Bagadilico aims to keep up with the latest advancements in neuroscience. The message from Johan Jakobsson is quite clear, he wants everybody to get a slice of the pie.
- We predict that this technique will be widely used in neuroscience in Lund over the next few years. The technology as such is already established in Lund, but now it’s important that we that can meet the demands of the future. We want to spread the technology to even more users, so that the labs that specialize in other technologies also can take advantage of this to help them broaden their research.
Page Manager: Jens Persson
Last modified: 2012-01-09
