https://medicine.ouhsc.edu/academic-departments Parent Page: Academic Departments id: 36729 Active Page: Cellular and Genetic Engineering Core (CGEC) id: 36732 Portal ID: 248

Cellular and Genetic Engineering Core (CGEC)

The mission of the Cellular and Genetic Engineering Core (CGEC) is to empower biomedical researchers with advanced molecular cloning, viral vector production, and cellular engineering technologies that accelerate discovery across a wide range of disease-focused research programs. Co-directors are William Berry, Ph.D and Xi-Qin Ding, Ph.D.

CGEC partners with COBRE research program leaders, non-COBRE investigators, and the broader scientific community to design, build, and deliver customized genetic tools tailored to each project’s experimental needs. Through expert consultation, CGEC helps investigators select the most appropriate molecular platforms, design rigorous controls, and implement strategies that support both in vitro and in vivo studies.

Our core capabilities include the development of customized gene expression plasmids, AAV, retroviral, and lentiviral vector systems, CRISPR/Cas9-based knockout and knock-in cell lines, and specialized cellular platforms for BioID, NanoBRET, and NanoBiT assays. By combining technical expertise with collaborative project planning, CGEC enables researchers to investigate gene function, protein interactions, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies with precision and reproducibility.

CGEC is committed to scientific collaboration, innovation, and resource sharing. Plasmids generated by the Core will be deposited with Addgene following publication, ensuring that valuable reagents are accessible to the broader research community and continue to support discoveries beyond individual projects.

Standard Services and Rates

  • AAV production
    Available with any compatible genome and capsid. Includes PCR-based titration and purity assays.
    • Large scale: 1 mL; minimum 3 × 1012 vector genomes/mL — $6,000
    • Medium scale: 1 mL; minimum 1.5 × 1012 vector genomes/mL — $4,000
    • Small scale: 1 mL; minimum 0.75 × 1012 vector genomes/mL — $2,000
  • Lentivirus and VLP production
    Produced with a VSV-G envelope. Includes titration and purity assays.
    • In vivo quality: 0.2 mL at 100 ng/0.1 mL — $1,000
    • In vitro quality: 1 mL at 100 ng/0.1 mL — $500
  • Polyclonal knockout cell-line generation
    CRISPR/Cas9, lentiviral-mediated knockout generation — $500 per cell line
    • Monoclonal knockout: additional $500 per cell line. Price includes sequencing to confirm the mutation.
    • For an additional fee, users may request DISCOVER-Seq+ analysis through CGEC to evaluate potential off-target mutations.
  • Multimode plate reader access
    • With assistance — $20 per hour
    • Without assistance — $10 per hour
  • Custom project services
    Custom DNA cloning, cell engineering, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC), and organoid projects are available. Pricing is determined after a consultation to discuss project requirements, required components, delivery platform, and anticipated time commitment.

CRISPR/Cas9 gene ablation, knock-in, and transactivation

  • CRISPR/Cas9 is used to create targeted DNA edits guided by sgRNAs.
  • It can introduce indels that cause frameshifts and loss of protein expression.
  • With donor templates, it can support homology-directed repair and knock-ins.
  • Dead Cas9 fusions expand CRISPR for activation, repression, imaging, base editing, and prime editing.

Cas13-based RNA visualization, knockdown, and purification

  • Cas13 targets RNA rather than DNA and uses guide RNAs for specificity.
  • Wild-type Cas13 can cleave RNA and reduce gene expression.
  • Dead Cas13 can bind RNA without cleavage for live-cell RNA visualization.
  • Epitope-tagged dCas13 can pull down specific RNAs for downstream analysis.

Cas12a2 for cell specific ablation

  • Cas12a2 is an RNA-guided CRISPR nuclease that recognizes specific RNA transcripts and becomes activated after target binding. Once activated, Cas12a2 can trigger collateral cleavage of RNA, single-stranded DNA, and double-stranded DNA.
  • This makes Cas12a2 useful for programmable RNA sensing, molecular diagnostics, and transcript-dependent cell targeting or cell elimination.

Protein-protein interaction approaches

  • BioID-based methods label nearby proteins with biotin for pull-down and mass spectrometry.
  • It can introduce indels that cause frameshifts and loss of protein expression.
  • These assays require fusion proteins and can be measured using a multimode plate reader.

Lentiviral vector system

  • Lentiviral vectors can transduce dividing and non-dividing cells.
  • They can carry relatively large inserts and integrate for stable long-term expression.
  • CGEC will provide vectors with multiple promoters, inducible systems, selection markers, and fluorescent labels.
  • Vectors can be pseudotyped with VSVG or other glycoproteins such as RVG.

AAV system

  • AAV is useful because it is generally safer, non-integrating, and suitable for animal studies.
  • ssAAV has a larger cargo capacity, while scAAV gives faster and stronger expression.
  • CGEC will provide AAV vectors with different capsids for cell or tissue targeting.
  • Preparations can be crude for in vitro use or purified for in vivo experiments.

Virus-like particles(VLPs)

  • VLPs provide a non-viral method for transient delivery of proteins or RNAs.
  • They can be packaged in lipid capsules coated with VSVG or other glycoproteins.
  • They are especially useful for delivering gene-editing ribonucleoproteins.
  • Short-term Cas expression may reduce off-target effects and cargo-size limitations.

Piggybac Transgenesis

  • PiggyBac is a DNA transposon system used to insert genetic cargo into the genome using standard transfection.
  • This system can support stable transgene expression and relatively large DNA cargo compared with many viral vectors.
  • PiggyBac insertions can also be removed, making it useful for reversible or footprint-free cell engineering.

iPSCs and organoid cell culture systems

  • The listed molecular tools can be applied to cultured cells for gain- or loss-of-function studies.
  • CGEC can culture iPSCs and organoids from human or mouse tissues.
  • Supported organoid types include retina, intestine, stomach, brain, kidney, lung, heart, and liver.
  • Cell-specific markers will confirm lineage, developmental stage, and proper differentiation.

Contact CGEC

William Berry, Ph.D.

William Berry, Ph.D.

Co-Director of CGEC
Associate Professor
Department of Surgery

Email: William-berry@ouhsc.edu

Contact Us

Department of Cell Biology

Sean Netterville | Admin Coordinator
940 Stanton L. Young Blvd., BMSB 553
Oklahoma City, OK 73104

(405) 271-2377
BSAdmin@ouhsc.edu
Fax: (405) 271-3548