| Field | Specification |
|---|---|
| Mfr No | |
| Product Type | |
| Promoter | |
| Reporter | |
| Selection Marker | Blasticidin, N/A, Puromycin |
| Shipping |
Background
Rigorous interpretation of overexpression experiments requires a properly matched negative control. When an ORF cDNA lentivirus is used to express a gene of interest, the act of transduction, viral integration, antibiotic selection, and expression of reporter and resistance components can themselves influence cell behavior. An empty vector control carries all of these elements but lacks the ORF cDNA insert, so any phenotype it produces reflects the delivery system rather than the gene under study. Comparing cells transduced with a gene-bearing construct against cells transduced with the matched empty vector isolates the specific effect of the overexpressed protein, an essential practice for reliable gain-of-function research.
Product Description & Applications
The Empty Vector Ctrl ORF cDNA Lentivirus is a negative control for ORF cDNA overexpression experiments. A CMV promoter drives expression of a fluorescent reporter and a resistance marker separated by a P2A peptide, with an epitope tag retained upstream of the reporter and separated by a T2A peptide. The vector layout follows 5'LTR-CMV-[no cDNA]-tag-T2A-Reporter-P2A-Selection-3'LTR, so transduced cells express all components except the ORF cDNA insert.
The control can be selected to match the epitope tag, fluorescent reporter (BFP, GFP, or RFP), and selection marker of the corresponding ORF cDNA lentivirus, ensuring an accurate baseline for gain-of-function studies. It is supplied as ready-to-transduce lentiviral particles suitable for a wide range of mammalian cells.
About This Product
This ORF cDNA lentivirus enables stable overexpression of the gene of interest in mammalian cells via a third-generation, VSV-G pseudotyped delivery system. The ORF cDNA is fused to a C-terminal epitope tag (V5, Myc, or HA) and expressed under a strong constitutive promoter (CMV). Reporter and selection marker components (BFP, GFP, RFP; Blasticidin, Puromycin) are co-expressed via self-cleaving P2A peptides, enabling independent protein production without fusion-tag artifacts.
Ultra-purification by PEG precipitation and sucrose gradient centrifugation yields high-titer particles suitable for primary cells, suspension cultures, and stem cells. Stable polyclonal cell lines are established within 10–14 days by antibiotic selection or FACS sorting. For in vivo applications, the serum-free formulation and VSV-G envelope support direct administration or further concentration for stereotactic injection.
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.
