CSHL Press News

Methods for gene transfer in stem cells featured in Cold Spring Harbor Protocols

08/05/2009

COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y. (Wed., Aug. 5, 2009) – Vectors derived from retroviruses are useful tools for long-term gene transfer, because they allow stable integration of transgenes and propagation into daughter cells. Lentiviral vectors are preferred because they can transduce non-proliferating cellular targets. These vectors can be engineered to target specific tissues. In the August issue of Cold Spring Harbor Protocols (cshprotocols.cshlp.org/content/2009/8.toc), Francois Loic Cosset and colleagues from Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon (http://hvd.ens-lyon.fr/human_virology_dpt) present a method for targeting hematopoietic stem cells using engineered viral vectors. The article, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Targeting with Surface-Engineered Lentiviral Vectors, is freely available on the website for Cold Spring Harbor Protocols (http://cshprotocols.cshlp.org/cgi/content/full/2009/8/pdb.prot5276).

Though viral vectors are highly efficient, their use can raise concerns about recombination, immune responses and other safety issues. DNA transposons offer an effective, alternative method for nonviral gene transfer that avoids the safety concerns associated with viral vectors. Use of the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System for Stable Gene Expression in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells from Catherine Krull and colleagues at the University of Michigan (http://www.med.umich.edu/cdb/sub_pages/People/krull.htm) provides a method for stable integration and reliable long-term expression of a transgene. Sleeping Beauty transposon-based transfection is a two-component system consisting of a transposase and a transposon containing inverted repeat/direct repeat sequences that result in precise integration into a TA dinucleotide. The article is freely accessible on the website for Cold Spring Harbor Protocols (http://cshprotocols.cshlp.org/cgi/content/full/2009/8/pdb.prot5270).

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About Cold Spring Harbor Protocols:
Cold Spring Harbor Protocols (www.cshprotocols.org) is a monthly peer-reviewed journal of methods used in a wide range of biology laboratories. It is structured to be highly interactive, with each protocol cross-linked to related methods, descriptive information panels, and illustrative material to maximize the total information available to investigators. Each protocol is clearly presented and designed for easy use at the bench—complete with reagents, equipment, and recipe lists. Life science researchers can access the entire collection via institutional site licenses, and can add their suggestions and comments to further refine the techniques.

About Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press:
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press is an internationally renowned publisher of books, journals, and electronic media, located on Long Island, New York. Since 1933, it has furthered the advance and spread of scientific knowledge in all areas of genetics and molecular biology, including cancer biology, plant science, bioinformatics, and neurobiology. It is a division of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, an innovator in life science research and the education of scientists, students, and the public. For more information, visit www.cshlpress.com.

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