Lentivirus Titer Rapid Assay Kit (For Viral Packaging)
Specially designed for lentivirus packaging · Results ready in 10-15 min · Semi-quantitative detection of P24 protein
Product Overview
Lentivirus Titer Rapid Assay Kit is a semi-quantitative reagent for HIV-1 P24 protein based on colloidal gold lateral flow assay. As the most abundant structural protein in lentiviral capsid, P24 serves as a biomarker of lentiviral particles for fast evaluation of virus packaging efficiency. This kit adopts double-antibody sandwich format with two monoclonal antibodies targeting distinct epitopes of P24 to guarantee superior specificity and accuracy.
Test results can be obtained within 10-15 minutes by naked eyes without specialized instruments. Its detectable range covers 0–3000 ng/mL, and the color depth of test line is positively correlated with P24 concentration in samples. By matching against the provided colorimetric card, users can perform semi-quantitation of P24 content and further calculate lentiviral particle (LP) count as well as infectious titer (TU).
Core Advantages
Time Comparison with Traditional Assays
This kit shortens lentivirus titer detection from several hours down to only 15 minutes!
Product Specifications
| Catalog No. | Pack Size | Storage Condition | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| RA10089 | 10T | Dry ambient temperature | 12 months |
| RA10089 | 100T | Dry ambient temperature | 12 months |
Kit Contents: Individually foil-packed test cassettes, dropper bottle of sample buffer, detailed user manual and color comparison chart
Wide Application Scenarios
- Evaluation of lentiviral vector packaging efficiency: Rapidly compare packaging performance under distinct packaging systems and transfection parameters to optimize experimental protocols
- Pseudovirus packaging efficiency test: Suitable for quick potency detection of various pseudoviruses constructed on HIV-1 backbone
- In-process monitoring during virus production: Collect supernatant at multiple time points post-transfection to determine optimal harvest window
- Assessment of virus concentration performance: Fast comparison of recovery rates among different concentration protocols
- Preliminary screening of viral stocks: Pick high-titer virus lots efficiently to avoid unnecessary downstream tests on low-titer samples
- QC for industrial-scale virus production: Intermediate batch inspection for mass lentiviral vector manufacturing
Operating Procedure
- Preparation: Take test cassette out of sealed foil pouch and lay flat on dry bench inside biosafety cabinet
- Sample Loading: Pipette 20 μL cell culture supernatant slowly into sample window (S) of the test card
- Buffer Addition: Immediately add 50 μL matched sample buffer into sample well
- Result Reading: Keep at room temperature for 10–15 min for interpretation; readings taken after 20 min are invalid.
Sample Dilution Tip: If test line is overly dark beyond the range of color card, dilute specimen with DMEM or PBS and retest for precise semi-quantification.
Result Interpretation
Both control line (C) and test line (T) appear wine-red, confirming P24 protein and intact lentiviral particles exist in sample; darker test line corresponds to higher P24 concentration.
Only control line (C) shows wine-red band while test line (T) remains blank, meaning no detectable P24 or target concentration is below limit of detection.
Absence of band on control line (C) invalidates the assay regardless of test line status, caused by expired reagent, wrong operation or insufficient buffer volume.
Color Chart & Titer Conversion Table
| Band Code | P24 Conc.(ng/mL) | Virus Particle(LPs/mL) | Infectious Titer(TU/mL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | 500 | 6.25×109 | 6.25×106-7 |
| T2 | 100 | 1.25×109 | 1.25×106-7 |
| T3 | 50 | 6.25×108 | 6.25×105-6 |
| T4 | 10 | 1.25×108 | 1.25×105-6 |
| T5 | 1 | 1.25×107 | 1.25×104-5 |
Titer Conversion Note: Approximately 2000 P24 molecules are contained per single lentiviral particle, hence: 1 ng P24 ≈ 1.25×107 LPs. Normally only 1 out of 100~1000 viral particles owns infectivity (1 TU), so 1 ng P24 ≈ 1.25×104-5 TU.
Important Remark: Above values are theoretical estimation; free soluble P24 in samples may lead to overrated titer. Use fluorescence assay or flow cytometry for accurate infectious titer validation if required.
Practical Suggestion: Typically supernatant titer needs to exceed 106 TU/mL to guarantee high-titer stock after ~150-fold concentration and purification.
Troubleshooting
| Observation | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Faint color for both test & control line | Interfering substances within sample | Dilute sample with DMEM medium and retest |
| No control band, failed detection | Expired test strips Moisture damage after pouch opening |
Check expiry date and use new valid test cards Consume strips within 1 hour once unsealed |
| High non-specific background | Abnormal pH or salt concentration in medium Other interfering impurities |
Dilute sample multiple times with PBS before re-detection |
Precautions
- For research use only; prohibited for human clinical diagnosis or therapeutic application.
- Lentivirus is categorized as Biosafety Level 2 pathogen; all operations must be performed inside BSL-2 lab following standard biosafety protocols strictly.
- Use test cassettes within 1 hour after foil removal; long-term ambient exposure causes moisture-induced reagent inactivation.
- Do not mix test strips and buffer from different production lots due to minor batch performance deviation.
- This product is semi-quantitative only; color card data serves as reference only. Confirm exact P24 concentration or viral titer via ELISA or qPCR when precise value is needed.
- Free soluble P24 in specimens will overestimate viral titer, an inherent limitation shared by all P24-based quantification methods.
- All experimental waste shall be autoclaved in compliance with institutional biosafety waste regulations.
