ABM Reagents

<h2 dir="ltr"> What Are Lentiviral Cloning Vectors?</h2>
 The transfer plasmid is the heart of every lentiviral construct &mdash; it defines the transgene cargo, promoter driving expression, selection marker, and structural LTR elements that enable stable genomic integration. Selecting the right cloning vector backbone is the first and most consequential decision in any lentiviral project.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<ul>
<li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Expression vectors featuring CMV, EF1&alpha;, PGK, and UbC promoter configurations for transgene expression studies</li>
<li>Fluorescent reporter vectors incorporating GFP, RFP, and CFP for cell tracking and visualization</li>
<li>Promoterless vectors for promoter characterization and regulatory element analysis</li>
<li>HA-tag and His-tag expression vectors for protein detection and purification workflows</li>
<li>Bicistronic and tricistronic vector systems for multi-gene expression applications</li>
<li>miRNA- and siRNA-compatible cloning vectors for RNA interference studies</li>
<li>Functional vectors including selectable-marker and HSVtk-based constructs for specialized research applications</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr"> How to Choose a Lentiviral Cloning Vector</h2>
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Vector Design
Expression vectors, reporter vectors, promoterless systems, tagged constructs, and multicistronic backbones are designed for different experimental objectives. Vector selection should be guided by the intended application, transgene design, and downstream analysis requirements.
Promoter Selection
Promoters influence the strength and pattern of transgene expression. Available vector configurations include CMV, EF1&alpha;, PGK, and UbC promoters, as well as promoterless backbones for studies focused on promoter activity and regulatory elements.
Reporter Requirements
Fluorescent reporters such as GFP, RFP, and CFP enable visualization of transduced cells, monitoring of expression, and assessment of transduction efficiency. Reporter selection should align with the imaging platform and experimental workflow.
Expression Configuration
Single-gene, bicistronic, and tricistronic vector designs provide different levels of flexibility for co-expression studies. Multi-cassette systems can simplify experiments requiring coordinated expression of multiple genes or reporter elements.
Insert Size Considerations
Lentiviral vectors can accommodate relatively large expression cassettes compared with several other viral delivery systems. However, larger inserts may reduce viral production efficiency and should be evaluated during vector design and validation.
<h2 dir="ltr"> Specifications Context</h2>
 Modern research lentiviral vectors are commonly designed with self-inactivating (SIN) long terminal repeats (LTRs), an important biosafety feature that reduces promoter activity within the integrated viral LTR following transduction. Many lentiviral vector systems also incorporate regulatory elements that support efficient transgene expression and vector performance. Vector architecture, promoter selection, reporter configuration, and insert size can all influence downstream cloning, viral production, and expression outcomes. Product availability reflects MBP's catalogue as of mid-2026. 
The search for reliable lentiviral cloning vectors is over. <a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team</a> at MBP and find the perfect match today.

Cloning Vectors

Selection-Drug Killing Curve

Lenti-III-GFP-C Vector

LV032 by Applied Biological Materials is a third-generation lentiviral transfer vector (10 µg) with a C-terminal GFP fusion tag and Puromycin selection marker, from the Lenti-III-HA backbone series. For stable lentiviral expression of C-terminally GFP-tagged proteins in dividing and non-dividing mammalian cells. N-terminal GFP version available as LV031. Shipped on Ice Pack; store at &minus;20°C.

Unit Quantity

Vector

Note

Shipping Condition

Lenti-III-GFP-N Vector

LV031 by Applied Biological Materials is a third-generation lentiviral transfer vector with an N-terminal GFP fusion tag and Puromycin selection marker, derived from the Lenti-III-HA backbone. Use to generate fluorescently tagged stable cell lines in dividing and non-dividing mammalian cells. Supplied as 10 µg plasmid DNA; shipped on ice pack.

Lentivirus Infection Protocol

Enhanced Lentivirus Safety Features-Replication Incompetency

Suggested MOI for Common Cancer Cell Lines

Lentiviral System FAQ

Lentivector Packaging Protocol

Lenti-III-HA Expression Vector

LV022 by Applied Biological Materials is the improved Lenti-III-HA Expression Vector (10 µg) — upgraded from LV005 with a larger MCS (more unique restriction sites) and Puromycin selection marker. For stable lentiviral expression of HA-tagged proteins in dividing and non-dividing mammalian cells. Third-generation VSV-G compatible. Store at &minus;20°C.

Lenti-III-HSVtk Vector

LV047 by Applied Biological Materials is a 10 µg Lenti-III-HSVtk lentiviral plasmid expressing Herpes Simplex Virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk) with an IRES-GFP co-reporter. For stable HSVtk suicide gene delivery and GCV prodrug cancer therapy research. Pre-packaged virus: LV048. Requires lentiviral packaging. Shipped on ice pack; store at −20°C or below.

<h2 dir="ltr">What Are Lentiviral Control &amp; Reporter Constructs?</h2>
 Rigorous experimental design requires matched controls that enter the same delivery workflow as the test construct. Lentiviral control and reporter constructs use the same vector backbones, promoters, and packaging systems as experimental vectors &mdash; ensuring observed differences between treated and control cells reflect genuine biological effects rather than artefacts of the delivery process.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><a href="https://mbpinc.net/reagents/dna/cloning-services-products/lentivirus/over-expression/control/reporter/luciferase-reporter">Luciferase Reporters: </a>for reliable assay validation using selective promoter-specific vectors, fluorescent reporters, dual-reporter systems, and background control</li>
<li data-section-id="644n3l" data-start="108" data-end="253">Fluorescent Reporter Controls: GFP and RFP lentiviral vectors and viruses for monitoring transduction efficiency and transgene expression.</li>
<li data-section-id="19809zr" data-start="255" data-end="399">Blank Control Vectors &amp; Viruses: Empty lentiviral backbones for negative controls, promoter evaluation, and custom construct development.</li>
<li data-section-id="112pumm" data-start="401" data-end="569">Promoter &amp; UTR Reporter Systems:&nbsp; Reporter vectors designed for promoter activity and regulatory element analysis, including promoter and 5&prime; UTR reporter formats.</li>
<li data-section-id="1j5a9h3" data-start="571" data-end="736">Selectable Marker Controls: Control constructs with puromycin, neomycin, hygromycin, and blasticidin resistance markers for selection and workflow validation.</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr"> How to Choose Control &amp; Reporter Constructs</h2>
 Control Type Needed Empty vector controls carry only the selection marker (puromycin, blasticidin, or hygromycin resistance) without a gene of interest, providing the baseline reference for overexpression or knockdown experiments. Fluorescent Reporter Channel GFP and RFP lentiviral reporters allow real-time monitoring of transduction efficiency by flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy, matching the experimental construct's promoter for an accurate expected-expression reference. Luciferase Reporter Pairing Firefly luciferase (P. pyralis) and Renilla luciferase (R. reniformis) are the two most commonly paired reporters; because they use different substrates (D-luciferin and coelenterazine, respectively), both signals can be measured sequentially from the same sample. Promoter-less Baseline A promoter-less dual luciferase control vector provides a no-promoter baseline against which promoter-driven reporter constructs are normalised &mdash; useful for establishing background signal levels. Vector Backbone Matching Using a matched vector backbone ensures observed differences between experimental and control cells are due to the transgene, not differences in vector, promoter strength, integration preference, or selection marker. 
<h2 dir="ltr"> Specifications Context</h2>
 Because lentiviral integration is heritable, transduced cells maintain stable reporter gene expression across cell divisions &mdash; stable luciferase or GFP reporter cell lines generated this way are widely used in drug screening, pathway activation assays, and long-term in vivo imaging. Through ABM, MBP can supply promoter-reporter lentiviral constructs covering human and mouse promoters, driving firefly luciferase or GFP expression, as plasmid DNA or pre-packaged particles. Both plasmid and pre-packaged formats are available for immediate dispatch, with institutional account pricing available for core facilities. Core facilities managing reporter constructs across multiple research groups often standardise on a small set of validated control vectors to simplify inventory and ensure consistency across projects.&nbsp; 
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team</a> at MBP today to get high-quality lentiviral control/reporters for your lab.

Control/Reporter

Lentiviral Vector Amplification Protocol

AAV Packaging Protocol

AAV Infection Guideline

Lenti-III-HSVtk Virus (10e6)

LV048 by Applied Biological Materials is a pre-packaged Lenti-III-HSVtk lentiviral virus expressing Herpes Simplex Virus thymidine kinase. For suicide gene/prodrug therapy research (ganciclovir) and PET/SPECT reporter imaging (18F-FHBG, 131I-FIAU). Ready to transduce. Store at −80°C; shipped on dry ice.

Vector Map

Titer

Caution

<h2 dir="ltr">What Are miRNA Lentiviral Negative Controls?</h2>
 MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are approximately 22-nucleotide non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by binding to the 3&prime; UTR of target mRNAs, triggering mRNA degradation or translational repression via the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). Lentiviral delivery of miRNA expression constructs enables stable, long-term modulation of miRNA activity &mdash; essential where transient transfection approaches are insufficient.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Control Viruses models used in miRNA overexpression studies, for negative control normalization
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Validation of 3'UTR target utilizing bioluminescent-based reporter assays.
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<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
miRNA-Off Control Lentiviruses used to baseline microRNA knockdown effects.
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<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Blank 5&rsquo; UTR reporter vector optimized for gene expression normalization and translational regulation studies&nbsp;
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Reporter Stable Cell Lines models with Luciferase or GFP markers for reliable assay standardization.
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</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr"> How to Choose a miRNA Negative Control</h2>
 Experiment Type Matching miRNA mimic (gain-of-function) experiments require a non-targeting miRNA mimic control. miRNA inhibitor/antagomiR (loss-of-function) experiments require a non-targeting inhibitor control. Lentiviral miRNA expression requires an empty vector or scrambled miRNA sequence. Mimic Control Design A non-targeting miRNA mimic control is a double-stranded RNA molecule resembling a mature miRNA duplex but with no significant homology to any known miRNA target in human, mouse, or rat transcriptomes &mdash; entering RISC the same way as a functional mimic. Inhibitor Control Design Non-targeting miRNA inhibitor (antagomiR) controls are single-stranded antisense sequences that enter the relevant cellular compartment without blocking any known miRNA, establishing the baseline for inhibitor-treated versus non-inhibitor comparisons. Vector Backbone for Lentiviral Delivery Stable lentiviral expression of miRNAs is used for long-term gain-of-function studies; the matched non-targeting lentiviral control must use the same promoter and vector backbone as the experimental construct to isolate sequence-specific effects. Inducible Format Availability Tet-On (doxycycline-responsive) non-targeting miRNA lentiviral controls are available for experiments requiring temporal control, used alongside inducible experimental constructs to control for doxycycline treatment itself. 
<h2 dir="ltr"> Specifications Context</h2>
 miRNA controls are designed to reflect the endogenous processing pathway of microRNAs, including Drosha and Dicer-mediated maturation before RISC loading. Because siRNA and miRNA constructs enter the RNA interference pathway differently, pathway-matched controls are important for accurate experimental interpretation. Non-targeting miRNA controls help distinguish sequence-specific effects from background effects associated with vector delivery and miRNA pathway activation. Available formats include lentiviral vectors, packaged viruses, reporter constructs, and stable cell line controls for miRNA and UTR-based studies. Product availability reflects MBP's catalogue as of mid-2026. 
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team at MBP</a> and request a quote for efficient miRNA control requirements.

miRNA Control

Lenti-III-mir Control Virus

m004 by Applied Biological Materials is a pre-packaged lentiviral negative control virus produced from the pLenti-III-mir backbone with a scrambled miRNA insert and GFP reporter. Supplied as 4 × 500 µl aliquots; no packaging required. Use alongside pLenti-III-mir-GFP (m016) miRNA constructs to confirm experiment-specific effects. Store at &minus;80°C; do not refreeze thawed aliquots.

Storage Condition

Lenti-III-mir-GFP Control Virus

m002 by Applied Biological Materials is a pre-packaged Lenti-III-mir GFP miRNA control virus with an empty miRNA insert cassette. Supplied at 108 IU/mL as 3 × 250 µL. High-titer matched negative control for lentiviral miRNA overexpression experiments. Store at −80°C; shipped on dry ice.

QC - Lot. No. VH7957

Lenti-III-mir-Off Control Virus

m008 by Applied Biological Materials is the Lenti-III-mir-Off Control Virus — blank insert negative control for lentiviral miRNA inhibitor (mir-Off) experiments. Supplied at 108 IU/mL as 3 × 250 µL. Ready-to-transduce. Store at −80°C; shipped on dry ice.

Lead Time

Lenti-III-PGK Expression Vector

G305 by Applied Biological Materials is a 10 µg Lenti-III-PGK lentiviral expression plasmid with a PGK promoter driving transgene expression from within a multi-cloning site. Suitable for stem cells and cell types where CMV is silenced. Modified Lenti-III-HA backbone. Requires lentiviral packaging. Store at −20°C or below. Not for resale.

pLenti-PGK-GFP Control Virus, LV028

Lenti-III-PGK-GFP Control Virus

LV028 by Applied Biological Materials is a pre-packaged Lenti-III lentiviral control virus expressing GFP under the PGK promoter. Ready to transduce — no packaging required. Standard positive and backbone control for PGK-promoter lentiviral experiments. Research Use Only.

pLenti-PGK-Luc Control Virus, LV088

Lenti-III-PGK-Luc Control Virus

LV088 by Applied Biological Materials is a pre-packaged PGK-promoter firefly luciferase lentiviral control virus supplied as 4 × 500 µL. Positive transduction and bioluminescence control for PGK-driven lentiviral expression experiments. D-luciferin substrate. Ready to transduce. Store at −80°C; shipped on dry ice.

Lenti-III-RFP-C Vector

LV079 by Applied Biological Materials is a third-generation lentiviral transfer vector (10 µg) with a C-terminal RFP fusion tag and Puromycin selection marker, from the Lenti-III-HA backbone series. For live-cell red fluorescence tracking of C-terminally tagged proteins in stable transduced mammalian cell lines. Shipped on Ice Pack; store at &minus;20°C. Pair with GFP-tagged constructs (LV031/LV032) for two-color experiments.