Retro-virus work - How safe is it? (Apr/28/2010 )

Hello all,

Recently I took up a new job where I have to do transfections into the packaging cell lines and generate retroviruses followed by infecting target cell lines, characterizing and generating stable cell lines. After reading the concerned literature, I was just wondering how safe it is to work in this job?
I worked in with various cell lines in the past including primary cells and human embryonic stem cells, and also transfections and transductions using lenti virus but never retro virus. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,
S

Lentivirus is a retrovirus - HIV is a lentivirus! So long as you follow appropriate biological precautions (work in a hood, wash hands etc.) and have good technique, you shouldn't have an problems.