| Field | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Type | |
| Reporter | |
| Selection Marker | Blasticidin, N/A, Puromycin |
| Shipping | |
| Species |
Background
Scrambled shRNA control lentiviruses are essential negative controls for RNA interference experiments. A scrambled shRNA carries a sequence that does not match any known mammalian transcript, so it engages the cellular RNAi machinery without silencing a specific gene. Including a scrambled control allows researchers to distinguish true gene-specific phenotypes from non-specific effects of lentiviral transduction, shRNA processing, or selection. Using a control matched to the experimental shRNA system is standard practice and is required for rigorous interpretation of knockdown studies in cancer, cell biology, and functional genomics research.
Product Description & Applications
The Scrambled shRNA Control Lentivirus is generated from a mixture of two independent scrambled shRNA constructs that do not target any known gene. Like the gene-specific shRNA products, the shRNA is expressed from a U6 promoter in a third-generation, self-inactivating lentiviral backbone, with a co-expressed fluorescent reporter (GFP or RFP, optionally with luciferase) and optional blasticidin or puromycin selection. Particles are ultra-purified and concentrated by PEG precipitation and sucrose gradient centrifugation and efficiently transduce difficult-to-transfect cells, including primary and thawed cells.
It is recommended as a matched negative control for any shRNA or miRNA lentiviral knockdown experiment, supporting accurate interpretation of gene-specific phenotypes.
About This Product
This validated shRNA lentivirus targeting Scrambled (Mix) delivers a 19–20 bp shRNA from a third-generation, self-inactivating lentiviral backbone. Expression is driven from a U6 Pol III promoter, with a constitutively expressed fluorescent reporter (GFP, GFP/Luc, RFP, RFP/Luc) and antibiotic selection marker (Blasticidin, Puromycin) co-expressed from the same vector. VSV-G pseudotyping enables broad cell tropism, including primary, suspension, and cryopreserved cell types.
Knockdown is validated using a proprietary bicistronic fluorescence assay in which the target mRNA is co-expressed fused to RFP alongside the shRNA-GFP construct. At least 70% reduction in RFP signal in GFP-positive cells confirms on-target activity — a more direct functional readout than transcript-level qPCR. Polyclonal stable lines can be generated by antibiotic selection within 10 days, preserving parental cell heterogeneity compared to single-clone CRISPR approaches.
Can't find the lentiviral construct you need, or want to adjust key design elements? Contact us to discuss custom LV design and optional add-ons.
Common customization requests
- Insert / payload: replace the gene/sequence, swap to a different isoform, add mutations, or optimize cloning features.
- Expression design: change promoter (e.g., CMV/EF1α/PGK), add enhancers, or adjust regulatory elements.
- Reporters: add/swap GFP/RFP/mCherry/luciferase (single or dual reporters where applicable).
- Selection markers: add/swap puromycin/blasticidin/neomycin or fluorescent selection options.
- Vector format: switch between OE, shRNA, CRISPR (sgRNA/Cas systems), or control vectors (where supported).
Add-ons you can request
- Control viruses: empty vector, non-targeting shRNA, reporter-only controls, or matched backbone controls.
- Packaging / format: concentration options, aliquoting, or custom fill volume for screening workflows.
- Documentation: construct map/sequence confirmation package (as available) and batch documentation.
What to include in your request
- Target cell type/model (cell line or primary cells) and intended readout (reporter, knockdown, OE, etc.)
- Insert sequence (FASTA) or reference ID, plus any required tags/mutations
- Promoter, reporter, and selection marker preferences
- Desired scale and preferred format (aliquots / concentration requests)
Email us at support@biohippo.com or use the Talk to a Scientist request form.
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