UNC Vector Core

              

About the Vector Core

Send the plasmid via FedEx or UPS:

UNC Viral Vector Core

104 Manning Drive

7027 Thurston Bowles

Chapel Hill, NC 27599

 

Established in 1993, the UNC Vector Core is a shared research resource that provides viral vector production and related services in support of basic, translational, and preclinical research. The Core offers standardized AAV vector manufacturing and distribution services to investigators from academic institutions, government agencies, foundations, and industry. 

The UNC Vector Core provides in‑stock AAV vectors, custom AAV vector production, large‑scale manufacturing, and plasmid DNA amplification. All services are performed using established protocols and quality control measures to support reproducibility and regulatory compliance. 

AAV vector quality is assessed using SDS‑PAGE (silver stain) to evaluate purity and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess the proportion of full capsids. 

Vector Core’s website: https://www.med.unc.edu/vectorcore/  

Products and Services Overview: 

 

In‑Stock AAV Vectors 

• Pre‑made AAV vectors across multiple serotypes 

• Reporter, Cre, control, and select optogenetic constructs 

• Supplied as 100 µL aliquots 

• Quality assessed by qPCR and SDS‑PAGE (silver stain) 

• MTAs required for select externally developed constructs 

Click here to view or download a copy of our In Stock Vector List:  UNC Vector Core - In Stock Vectors List

Standard Custom AAV Production 

• Triple transfection of HEK293 cells 

• Column chromatography purification 

• Supported serotypes include AAV1–6, 2.5, 8, 9, Olig001, DJ, and rAAV2‑Retro 

• Typical turnaround: ~4–5 weeks 

• Plasmid amplification available if needed 

Large‑Scale AAV Production 

• Culture volumes: 1 L, 2 L, 5 L, 10 L, and 20 L 

• Suspension HEK293 system (serum‑free, antibiotic‑free) 

• Wave bag production for ≥2 L preparations 

• Yield is construct‑dependent 

Plasmid DNA Amplification 

• Standard and large‑scale plasmid amplification 

• Submission requirement: 1–10 µg plasmid DNA 

Transfected Supernatant and Cell Pellet (Unpurified) 

• Reporter gene constructs (e.g., CMV‑GFP, CMV‑Luciferase) 

• Available in 2 L, 5 L, and 10 L formats 

Additional Services 

• Custom vector concentration 

• Custom aliquot sizing (standard: 100 µL per tube) 

 For availability, MTAs, or ordering questions, email UNC-Vector-Core@med.unc.edu 

 

Contact Vector Core Facility at UNC-Vector-Core@med.unc.edu  if you have any questions.

Leadership

Samuel M Young, Jr

Director, Center for Molecular Medicine

Genlin Hu

Interim Lead, Viral Vector Core

Ping Zhang

Interim co-Lead, Viral Vector Core

Joanna Mieczkowska

Program and Business Manager

Location and hours of operation

Hours	Location	Send the plasmid via FedEx or UPS:
Monday-Friday	104 Manning Drive	UNC Viral Vector Core
8 am - 5pm	7027 Thurston Bowles	104 Manning Drive
	Chapel Hill, NC 27599	7027 Thurston Bowles
		Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Links and Resources

https://www.med.unc.edu/vectorcore

Contacts

Name	Role	Phone	Email	Location
Vector Core			UNC-Vector-Core@med.unc.edu	7027 Thurston-Bowles
Genlin Hu	Interim Lead		ghu@email.unc.edu	7027 Thurston-Bowles