Arrayed RetroViral Expression Cloning

The ARVEC project, headed by Tom Gonda, Brian Gabrielli, Sean Grimmond, and Simon Barry, aims to establish a radically modified retroviral expression cloning system that will, in principle, allow identification of all genes that confer a particular dominant phenotype. Briefly, the library will be constructed by Gateway(TM) insertion of the open reading frames from comprehensive cDNA clonesets into a 3rd generation lentiviral vector. The vector will then be packaged, collected, and used to transduce biologically-relevant target cells, which will be subsequently be screened by high-content imaging. All procedures will be carried out in 96-well format using automated cell and liquid handling methodologies.

The ARVEC approach could, in principle, allow the identification of any and all genes that confer a particular dominant phenotype for which a suitable cell-based assay can be developed. Thus the proposed facility will represent world-leading technology in functional genomics and provide Au stralian scientists with unique opportunities to identify genes involved in a broad range of biological processes.