Retroviral vector gene transfer strategies are currently being developed to treat a variety of hematopoietic disorders. To date, genetic modification of human pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells has been inefficient. In the present study we developed reagents and procedures for rapidly screening retroviral vector gene transfer conditions using a multiparameter fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) assay. To identify transduced cells using FACS analysis, we developed a retroviral vector, termed MN, which stably expressed high levels of a truncated version of the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (LNGFR). In addition, procedures were developed for enriching CD34+ cells from cryopreserved umbilical cord blood. These cells were transduced with MN and evaluated using multiparameter FACS analysis for expression of CD34, CD38, and LNGFR. Stem cell maintenance was determined by measuring the CD34hi and CD34hiCD38lo/- cells remaining after ex vivo gene transfer. Gene transfer into these cells was measured by evaluating cells expressing high levels of LNGFR. Initial studies with this assay and with in vitro functional assays indicated that retroviral gene transfer following pre-incubation with a variety of cytokines in serum containing conditions resulted in 1) poor maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells and 2) gene transfer predominantly in relatively mature cells. When gene transfer in serum-free conditions was performed, some improvement was observed in the maintenance of cells retaining primitive immunophenotypes with no reduction in the gene transfer efficiency. The MN vector and multiparameter FACS analysis will be useful in efficiently screening ongoing efforts designed to improve stem cell gene transfer.