Application of Biophysical, Biochemical, Immunologic and Molecular Virologic Techniques to Rapid Viral Diagnosis (June 1987-December 1987)

摘要

The contract has focused on the development and optimization of immunoassays and nucleic acid hybridization assays for the detection of viral agents and for the evaluation of those assays for the diagnosis of human diseases. Much of the emphasis has been on diagnosis of the enteric viruses. A monoclonal antibody-based assay was developed for the detection of group B rotaviruses. A set of assays for the detection of members of the pestivirus group of the viral family togaviridae was devised and the assays were used to demonstrate that members of this family are causes of human diseases. General methods were developed for the improvement of the sensitivity of nucleic acid hybridization methods for the detection of viral antigens. These studies involved the determination of the optimal conditions for the formation of DNA-RNA hybrids and for the immobilization of the hybrids onto solid phase surfaces. Papilloma viruses have been detected by the direct detection of viral RNA using this method. Nucleic acid amplification procedures have also been studied.