Quality Control
The Vector Core Facility prepares numerous viruses for a number of investigators. Quality control and quality assurance tests are routinely performed on the viral vectors that are distributed. The first generation adenovirus vectors are routinely screened for replication competent adenovirus (RCA) by A549 plaque assay. The absence of replication-competent adenovirus (RCA) in 1010 adenoviral particles represents a high research grade product standard. Moreover, adenoviral stocks are tested for sterility, identity (sequence of the insert), and potency using appropriate methods. Also, we are currently trying to determine what acceptable endotoxin levels are in the adenoviral lot preparations, why it varies between lots, and how to reduce this variation. Only when the viral stocks pass these QC tests are they released for distribution.