The IPRD Viral Vector and Gene Editing Cores deliver advanced solutions for biomedical research and therapeutic development. Our expertise in CRISPR/Cas technologies, viral vector engineering, and customized cell and animal model generation empowers investigators to accelerate discovery and translational applications.

We offer a comprehensive portfolio of services that includes the design and production of CRISPR/Cas vectors, generation of genetically engineered cell lines, and customized editing strategies using the latest technologies such as base editing, prime editing, and epigenome editing. Our team is here to partner with you—whether you are developing basic research tools, building disease models, or pursuing therapeutic targets.

1. Gene Knockout Cell Line Services

Our core provides fully customizable CRISPR/Cas9-based knockout services in a wide range of mammalian cell lines, including difficult-to-transfect and tumor-derived lines. We deliver functionally validated, long-term stable KO models to researchers at Florida State University and to institutions and companies worldwide.

Our platform includes:

• High-throughput gRNA screening and optimized RNP delivery
• Single- and multi-gene knockout strategies
• Targeted fragment deletions
• End-to-end support from gRNA design to functional validation

Standard workflow:

• Host Cell Characterization
  Includes clonability assays, antibiotic resistance profiling, and optimization of transfection/transduction.
• gRNA Design & KO Vector Construction
  Guides are designed to target conserved exons or critical functional domains of the gene-of-interest.
• Transfection & Transduction
  Using optimized techniques and house-developed lentiviral and adeno-associated vectors.
• Clone Screening
  Selection via antibiotic resistance or FACS; expansion of monoclonal or polyclonal populations.
• Validation
  Characterization via Western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, or reporter assays.

2. Specialized Gene Editing Services

Multiplexed Knockouts
Generate cell lines with multiple gene deletions using pooled or sequential editing strategies.

Disease Modeling
Create precise genetic alterations to model rare or common human diseases in vitro.

Custom CRISPR Libraries
Design and produce small- to large-scale gRNA libraries for functional genomics studies.

Nuclease Activity Validation
Quantify and optimize CRISPR nuclease performance using a range of molecular and cellular assays.

3. Base Editing and Prime Editing

We offer advanced genome editing platforms based on base editors and prime editors—technologies that allow precise, single-nucleotide changes without introducing double-stranded breaks.

Base Editing

Our cytidine and adenine base editors enable targeted C-to-T or A-to-G conversions with minimal off-target effects. These editors are delivered using viral vectors customized for your cell type and application.

• Editing window: 6–10 nucleotides
• Delivery via AAV, lentivirus, or electroporation
• Applications: point mutation correction, functional SNP studies, regulatory region targeting

Prime Editing

We design and deliver pegRNA constructs that enable precise insertions, deletions, or substitutions.

• pegRNA components: spacer, scaffold, reverse transcription template (RTT), primer binding site (PBS)
• nCas9-reverse transcriptase system enables templated DNA repair
• Suitable for applications requiring programmable, high-fidelity edits

With over 15 years of experience in guide RNA design, viral delivery, and construct engineering, we support projects across a wide range of biological systems.

4. Epigenome Editing

Epigenetic modifications enable control of gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. We offer full-service epigenome editing platforms using dCas9-based tools fused to:

• DNA methyltransferases and demethylases
• Histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases

Workflow includes:

1. Target Identification – Defining loci relevant to gene regulation or disease
2. Tool Construction – Building custom dCas9 fusion proteins
3. Vector Development – Cloning into expression vectors for delivery
4. Delivery – Viral, electroporation, or nanoparticle-based methods
5. Selection & Expansion – Isolation of modified clones
6. Validation – ChIP, bisulfite sequencing, and gene expression profiling

5. Vector and Construct Resources

We maintain an extensive collection of >3,000 in-house optimized CRISPR/Cas constructs for gene knockout, base editing, and more. These are:

• Available directly from the core
• Deposited in the Addgene repository (https://www.addgene.org)
• Linked to the NGVB repository (https://ngvbcc.org/ReagentRepository)

Our design and production workflows are supported by 10 patent applications and numerous peer-reviewed publications and funded grants.

Let’s Collaborate
We welcome collaborations with academic, government, and industry partners. Whether your goal is to explore gene function, build disease models, or develop precision therapeutics, our core is ready to support your success.

Contact us today to discuss your project needs and receive a customized consultation.