Handling and Storage

Handling Viral Vectors:

All viral vectors produced at the UNC Vector Labs are replication-defective vectors.  These vectors are non-infectious materials and are not considered hazardous materials by U.S. regulatory agencies or groups at the Federal, State and Local levels.   However, these materials are produced in cell-based systems where there is the possiblity of recombination to form wild-type virus.  As such, they should be handled as potentially infectious material using Biosafety Level 2 precautions.  

The Gene Therapy Center recommends that all vectors and cultures be handled by qualified microbiologists using appropriate safety procedures and precautions. Detailed discussions of laboratory safety procedures are provided in Laboratory Safety: Principles and Practice (Fleming et al., ASM Press, Washington D.C., 1995), and in the U.S. Government Publication, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (CDC, 1999). This and other publications are available at the Centers for Disease Control Office of Health and Safety's website at http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bmb14/bmb14toc.htm

Information on the classification of human etiologic agents on the basis of hazard can be found as Appendix B in the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DAN Molecules at

http://www.grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/recombinentdnaguidelines.htm

All materials and mixtures may present unknown hazards and should be used with caution. The user should exercise independent judgment as to the hazards based on all sources of information available. The Gene Therapy Center shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from the handling or use of these products.

Storage of Viral Vectors:

AAV, adenovirus and lentivirus vectors are shipped frozen and should be stored in a freezer upon receipt.  Vectors should be stored long term at -80 degrees centigrade.  Vectors can be stored for short periods of time at -20 or +4 degrees, but vector inactivation will occur at these temperatures at various rates depending on the temperature and the vector type.  Whenever possible vectors should be aliquoted into single use portions to avoid repeated freeze/thaw.