Sylvie Fabrega

Gene transfer is an essential component of functional genomic studies and therapeutic target identification, and it is widely used to modify adult and embryonic stem cells, both for cognitive purpose and for the development of regenerative medicine. Gene transfer technologies have now been employed in clinical gene therapy applications for genetic and acquired diseases. The data accumulated so far clearly indicate that gene therapy will be a part of molecular medicine practice in the near future, but they also reveal difficulties and limitations that require further research aimed at better controlling the outcome of gene transfer.

As part of the Imagine project and in association with Inserm and the Paris Descartes University, we have set up The VVTG core facility for gene transfer technologies, whose missions are to :

1. Help in the design and construction of viral vectors for research : Lentivirus, Retrovirus, and Adenovirus
2. Production of viral batches for in vitro and in vivo gene transfer applications
3. Maintainance of available vectors database and assistance in submitting protocols to the regulatory agencies (Commission de Génie Génétique);
4. Users’ formation
5. Help for interactions with outside vector core facilities in the academia or specialized commercial companies, for the production of clinical grade vectors.

The facility has been recognized as an emerging structure in 2009 by the GIS IBiSA (Infrastructures en Biologie Santé et Agronomie). It is accessible from the SFR-Necker website http://www.necker.fr/sfr-necker

The gene transfert core as L1, L2 and L3 premises on the site of the “Faculté de Médecine de l’Université Paris Descartes, Broussais site (75 014 Paris).