Infectious Disease Research
Virology
Herpes Virus Research and Development
Secondary Testing
- Range of cell lines: Compounds are evaluated for their ability to inhibit herpesvirus infection in a variety of phenotypically distinct susceptible cell lines including Vero, MRC-5, HFF, BHK, HEp-2 as well as a variety of other human and mammalian cell lines. The panel of cell lines available for testing varies depending on the virus. A list of these panels can be provided upon request. Specific cell lines of interest can also be obtained from other sources upon request.
- Range of virus isolates: Compounds are evaluated for their ability to inhibit the replication of a panel of laboratory, clinical and/or drug resistant herpesvirus isolates. Currently available are ten HSV-1, five HSV-2, sixteen HCMV, five VZV, two EBV, two HHV-6 and two HHV-8 isolates. We are constantly adding virus strains to this panel. Please contact us if you are interested in seeing an updated list.
- Titer reduction: Currently available for HSV-1, HSV-2, HCMV and VZV. Supernatant virus from drug treated cultures is collected and titrated to determine the level of reduction in virus produced as a result of drug treatment. This is an in vitro model for estimating the fold log reduction in virus that could be obtained by antiviral treatment in vivo.
- Combination antiviral evaluation: Compounds are evaluated for their activity in combination with other drugs including other known herpesvirus inhibitors, HIV-1 inhibitors or any other compound of interest. Data are evaluated using the Prichard and Shipman MacSynergy II statistical software package. Interactions (synergy, additivity, antagonism) of the compounds are evaluated in terms of antiviral efficacy and toxicity. These studies are currently available for all of the Primary screen assay systems described above.
Primary Drug Screening Assays
Secondary Testing
Mechanism of Action Testing
Herpesvirus Web Resources
