At CD BioSciences, we specialize in the design and construction of viral vectors derived from the human herpesvirus (HHV) family, enabling our clients to accelerate gene therapy research and pre-clinical development. With extensive experience in molecular virology, vector engineering, and recombinant viral technology, our platform delivers customized vector solutions optimized for safety, expression efficiency, and therapeutic relevance.
Our services support biotechnology companies, academic researchers, and pre-clinical development teams focused on gene delivery, functional genomics, and therapeutic transgene expression using HHV-based systems such as HSV-1, EBV, and CMV.
Our Expertise in HHV-Derived Vector Systems
Herpesviruses possess large double-stranded DNA genomes and exhibit a natural ability to establish long-term persistence in host cells, making them powerful backbones for therapeutic vector design. CD BioSciences leverages this unique biology to build replication-defective or conditionally replicating HHV vectors with tailored transgene cassettes and regulatory control.
Key vector systems we support include:
- HSV-1-based amplicon and helper-dependent vectors for high-capacity gene delivery
- CMV-derived vectors optimized for strong, ubiquitous expression in mammalian cells
- EBV episomal vectors for stable maintenance and long-term expression in human B cells and epithelial cells
- KSHV-based delivery platforms for latency-associated transgene expression and cancer-related studies
Our experts engineer both replicating and non-replicating constructs, depending on experimental and biosafety requirements, ensuring full compliance with NIH and institutional biosafety guidelines.
Comprehensive Vector Construction Workflow
CD BioSciences provides a turnkey vector construction workflow, integrating design, cloning, validation, and packaging. Each stage is managed by experienced molecular biologists using validated SOPs and QC checkpoints.
1. Vector Design & Backbone Engineering
- Rational design of viral backbones (deletion of pathogenic or lytic genes)
- Incorporation of regulatory elements: promoters, enhancers, polyadenylation signals
- Insertion of selection markers or reporter genes for expression monitoring
- Sequence optimization for codon usage, GC content, and packaging constraints
2. Gene Insertion and Cassette Assembly
- Seamless recombination or ligation-independent cloning strategies for precise cassette integration
- Incorporation of tissue-specific or inducible promoters to regulate expression
- Multi-gene cassette design for polycistronic expression or co-delivery of therapeutic payloads
3. Genome Engineering and Validation
- Application of BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) cloning for large herpesvirus genomes
- CRISPR/Cas9 or recombineering-based editing for site-specific modifications
- Full-length genome sequencing to verify integrity and absence of unwanted mutations
4. Packaging and Production System Setup
- Optimization of helper cell lines for replication-defective HSV vectors
- Scalable transfection and packaging protocols for EBV or CMV vectors
- Purification by ultracentrifugation or chromatographic techniques to ensure purity and infectivity
5. Quality Control & Characterization
- Titer determination by qPCR, plaque assay, or immunofluorescence
- Genomic integrity assessment via restriction digestion and next-generation sequencing
- Transgene expression analysis (mRNA and protein levels) in validated host systems
- Stability and storage testing under defined conditions for pre-clinical use
Customization for HHV Research Applications
Our vector construction service is adaptable across multiple research and therapeutic applications, including:
- Gene Function Studies: transient or stable expression in neuronal, epithelial, or lymphoid models
- Oncolytic and Immunotherapy Research: insertion of cytokines, immune checkpoint modulators, or tumor antigens
- Latency and Reactivation Mechanism Studies: incorporation of LANA, EBNA, or immediate-early gene elements
- Vaccine Antigen Delivery: expression of viral or heterologous antigens under CMV or HSV promoters
- Cell and Gene Therapy Research: construction of helper-free HSV amplicons for CNS or ocular delivery models
Advantages of CD BioSciences' Vector Construction Platform
| Key Feature | CD BioSciences Advantage |
| HHV Specialization | Deep expertise in all major HHV lineages (α, β, γ) and their molecular characteristics. |
| Safety-Optimized Design | Deletion of essential replication genes ensures non-pathogenic, replication-defective vectors suitable for research. |
| High-Capacity Cloning | Up to 150 kb insertion capability for large or multiple transgenes. |
| Precise Genetic Control | Integration of inducible promoters and microRNA targeting for tunable expression. |
| Flexible Host Range | Broad tropism covering neuronal, epithelial, and immune cell types. |
| Rigorous Quality System | QC aligned with ISO-like pre-clinical research standards for reproducibility. |
| Collaborative Development | Co-design process with clients to match vector properties to specific experimental or therapeutic goals. |
Integration with Downstream Services
Our vector construction workflow seamlessly integrates with other CD BioSciences Gene Therapy Development Solutions, enabling a complete pre-clinical development pipeline:
- In Vivo Delivery: Biodistribution analysis, tissue tropism, and delivery optimization in murine and primate models.
- Expression Verification: Quantitative confirmation of transgene transcription and protein expression in target tissues.
- Antiviral or Immunogenicity Assessment: Integration with our Antiviral Drug Discovery and Vaccine Development divisions for combined testing.
This cross-platform capability allows clients to progress from vector design to functional validation within one coordinated system, ensuring data consistency and faster development cycles.
Compliance and Biosafety
CD BioSciences adheres to international biosafety standards and regulatory expectations for research-use viral vectors:
- Conducted under BSL-2 containment with validated SOPs
- Documentation support for Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) submissions
- Guidance on NIH recombinant DNA guidelines, vector classification, and risk group assessment
- All vectors are provided for research use only, not for clinical or human administration
This strict compliance framework assures clients that each construct meets reproducibility, traceability, and documentation standards expected in pre-clinical gene therapy research.
Why Partner with CD BioSciences
- Herpesvirus-Focused Expertise – Unlike general CROs, our specialization in HHV biology gives us an unmatched understanding of viral latency, genome regulation, and host interactions.
- Integrated Virology Infrastructure – Advanced cell culture, BAC cloning, and molecular characterization platforms under one roof.
- Customizable Project Models – From single-gene expression cassettes to multigenic or hybrid constructs.
- Transparency and Communication – Real-time project tracking, progress reporting, and data sharing through secure channels.
- Global Scientific Support – Dedicated technical team supporting clients across North America and Europe with regulatory-ready documentation and data packages.
Deliverables
Clients receive a complete Vector Construction Package, including:
- Full plasmid or BAC construct and sequence map
- Cloning strategy and validation report
- QC documentation (purity, titer, genome integrity)
- Recommended transfection or infection protocols
- Optional functional validation data
Each package is accompanied by technical consultation to facilitate seamless transition into downstream in vitro or in vivo studies.
CD BioSciences' HHV-based vector construction service provides a comprehensive, customizable, and scientifically rigorous foundation for advancing gene therapy and pre-clinical research. Through our deep understanding of herpesvirus genetics and advanced molecular platforms, we empower researchers to transform complex therapeutic concepts into validated, scalable vector systems.
Whether your goal is to investigate latency control mechanisms, deliver therapeutic genes, or design novel oncolytic constructs, CD BioSciences offers the precision, safety, and innovation required to drive your HHV research forward.
References
- McVoy, M. A. (2013). "Construction of herpesvirus bacterial artificial chromosomes for analysis and manipulation." Methods in Molecular Biology, 1064, 51-66.
- Johnson, D. C., & Baines, J. D. (2011). "Herpesviruses remodel host membranes for virus egress." Nature Reviews Microbiology, 9(5), 382–394.
- Tischer, B. K., von Einem, J., Kaufer, B. B., & Osterrieder, N. (2006). "Two-step Red recombination for versatile high-efficiency markerless DNA manipulation in Escherichia coli." Biotechniques, 40(2), 191–197.
- Samaniego, L. A., Wu, N., & DeLuca, N. A. (1997). "The herpes simplex virus immediate-early protein ICP0 affects transcription from the viral genome and infectivity of progeny virions in vivo." Journal of Virology, 71(2), 1417–1426.
- Hellebrand, S., et al. (2020). "Herpesvirus vectors in gene therapy." Viruses, 12(1), 98.