At this stage, the open facility will produce non-replicating recombinant viruses; the sample sending and receiving process will be remote
The Viral Vectors Laboratory (LVV) is the newest facility opened at the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM). The facility, operated by the Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), will receive proposals between August 15 and November 15, 2025, exclusively via SAU Online.
Established in 2011 as a support unit for internal research, the LVV specializes in the production of recombinant viruses, which may contain reporter gene cassettes, transgene cassettes for overexpression or interfering RNA. The facility has a biosafety level 2 accreditation by the National Technical Commission on Biosafety (CTNBio).
During the opening stage to external users, the LVV will provide services aimed at the production of non-replicating recombinant virus preparations, derived from murine retroviruses and human lentiviral vectors derived from HIV-1.
LVV Capabilities
The LVV plays an important role in the development of research and technologies applied to the study of intracellular mechanisms, or even for the development of advanced therapies applied to health.
Viral vectors are efficient tools for gene transfer that enable the modification of cell lines to carry expression cassettes. Among the LVV’s capabilities, the following stand out:
- Production of murine retroviral vectors: Batch production with ecotropic, amphotropic, 10A1, and VSV-G envelopes. Customized production with envelopes provided by the applicant can also be prepared;
- Production of lentiviral vectors derived from human HIV-1: Batch production with ecotropic, amphotropic, 10A1, and VSV-G envelopes. Custom productions with envelopes provided by the applicant are also available.
Submission of proposals
Users interested in requesting production of modified LVV virus must submit a proposal using the SAU online portal, managed by CNPEM’s User Support Service (EdU) .
The calls will be published every six months. In 2025, users will be able to submit their proposals between August 15th and November 15th. Selected proposals will be executed until December 5, 2025, completely remotely. The entire process, including the submission of plasmids by the applicant to CNPEM and the shipment of viral preparations produced by CNPEM to the applicant, will be carried out remotely.
Before submitting a proposal, users must have a project approved for handling GMOs in their research institutions by their institutional biosafety committee, complying with CTNBio requirements. Questions about accessing the portal can be sent to CNPEM’s User Support Service via email edu@cnpem.br. Technical questions can be addressed directly to the Viral Vectors Laboratory by email at lvv@lnbio.cnpem.br.
Key dates
- Submission of proposals: from 08/15 to 11/15/2025;
- Execution of proposals: until 12/05/2025.
How do I request viral production?
To request viral production, the project to which the request is linked must be approved by your institution’s Internal Biosafety Committee, in line with the requirements of CTNBIO (National Technical Commission on Biosafety). Projects with murine retroviruses are considered class 1 biological risk, requiring only approval by the applicant’s institutional Internal Biosafety Committee. Projects involving the use of human lentivirus must have both authorizations from the applicant’s institutional Internal Biosafety Committee and CTNBio.
Once the project is duly approved, the request for viral production can be made exclusively through the electronic form available at the link: https://sauonline.cnpem.br/duo/ .
Follow the steps below
- Create an account by clicking on “Create a new SAU Online Account” (if you do not already have one).
- After logging in, access the “Submit a new proposal” option.
- In the national laboratory selection field, choose “LNBIO”.
- Then select the “LVV” facility.
- Fill out the submission form with the requested information.
- When you reach the end of the submission form, you must download and complete two files: VVL request form, where you will need to complete information about viral production, and the signed Plasmid Transfer Agreement. Upload the signed documents and click “”
- You will receive a confirmation message after submitting your proposal.
What documents are required?
- Approval by the Internal Biosafety Committee for murine retroviral vectors. Internal Biosafety Committee and CTNBio approval for lentiviral vector derived from human HIV-1;
- Form completed on the SAU Online platform;
- Plasmid Transfer Agreement signed;
- Authorization for transportation of recombinant murine retrovirus, risk class 1, issued by the Internal Biosafety Committee of the institution of origin, for transportation from CNPEM to the applicant;
- Authorization for transportation of recombinant lentivirus derived from HIV-1, risk class 2, issued by CTNBio to the applicant’s institution, for transportation from CNPEM to the applicant.
The complete FAQ can be found on the facility page on the LNBio website.
About LNBio
The Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio) is dedicated to researching human health, combining integrative biology and advanced technologies. With expertise in gene editing, microphysiological systems, bioimaging, and tissue engineering, LNBio seeks to discover molecular targets and develop innovative therapies for diseases of public concern. This comprehensive approach, which includes molecules and living organisms, unravels molecular mechanisms to identify bioactive compounds, which are fundamental for the development of new active pharmaceutical ingredients. LNBio focuses its efforts on the demands of the public health system, utilizing cutting-edge infrastructure and a matrix work model to promote innovation and development at the intersection of science and health. Seeking to integrate health with socioeconomic and environmental factors, it acts as a scientific platform available to the State, capable of developing advanced technologies to respond to strategic issues. LNBio is part of the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), in Campinas (SP), a Social Organization supervised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI).
About CNPEM
The Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) is home to a state-of-the-art, multi-user and multidisciplinary scientific environment and works on different fronts within the Brazilian National System for Science, Technology and Innovation. A social organization overseen by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), CNPEM is driven by research that impacts the areas of health, energy, renewable materials, and sustainability. It is responsible for Sirius, the largest assembly of scientific equipment constructed in the country, and is currently constructing Project Orion, a laboratory complex for advanced pathogen research. Highly specialized science and engineering teams, sophisticated infrastructure open to the scientific community, strategic lines of investigation, innovative projects involving the productive sector, and training for researchers and students are the pillars of this institution that is unique in Brazil and able to serve as a bridge between knowledge and innovation. CNPEM’s research and development activities are carried out through its four National Laboratories: Synchrotron Light (LNLS), Biosciences (LNBio), Nanotechnology (LNNano), Biorenewables (LNBR), as well as its Technology Unit (DAT) and the Ilum School of Science — an undergraduate program in Science and Technology supported by the Ministry of Education (MEC).
