A vital component of contemporary medicine is the hunt for novel antiviral medications, especially in light of the resurgence and emergence of viral infections. Even while they work, traditional drug discovery techniques can be expensive and time-consuming. Pseudoviruses have completely changed this sector by providing a quicker, safer, and more effective means of screening possible antiviral drugs. The benefits of employing pseudo-viruses for antiviral drugs development is discussed in this article.
Pseudoviruses
Pseudoviruses are particles that are generated to resemble authentic viruses but are incapable of proliferating and producing infectious virus particles. Although these particles’ genetic makeup is not the same as that of target virus, they have the envelope proteins from target virus, which are necessary for the virus to enter into the host cells. Because of their unique characteristics, pseudoviruses are a valuable tool in virology research and therapeutic development. The most common pseudo-viruses for antiviral drugs are those derived from lentiviruses, retroviruses, and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV).
Advantages of pseudovirus
- Safety
Pseudoviruses are not contagious, which reduces the biosafety hazards associated with handling live viruses.
- Versatility
They can be designed to express a wide range of viral envelope proteins, allowing researchers to examine a variety of viruses.
- Cost-Effectiveness
The development of pseudoviruses requires fewer resources than the culture of actual viruses.
- High-Throughput Capability
Pseudoviruses are useful for high-throughput antiviral drug screening due to their safety and convenience of usage.
High Throughput Screening (HTS) with Pseudoviruses
Pseudoviruses are employed in HTS to infect cell cultures in the presence of certain molecules or compounds. Reporter assays are used to determine how well these molecules inhibit the entrance or replication of viruses. Reporter genes, like luciferase and GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein), are commonly used to analyze the pseudovirus presence inside a cell because they generate a measurable signal indicating the degree of viral entry or replication.
Advantages of High-Throughput Screening
- Rapid Screening
Pseudoviruses speed up the drug development process by enabling the quick screening of huge chemical libraries.
- Quantitative Data
The accurate evaluation of antiviral activity is made possible by the use of reporter genes, which yield quantitative data.
Role of MIS
At Microbe Investigations Switzerland, we are pioneering the use of pseudovirus platforms for high-throughput screening in drug discovery. Our advanced methodologies allow for efficient and safe evaluation of antiviral compounds, providing critical insights that drive innovation in therapeutic development. With our state-of-the-art technology and expertise, MIS helps you streamline your drug discovery process and achieve faster, more reliable results.
To learn more about our pseudo-virus high-throughput screening services or to discuss how we can support your drug discovery efforts, please contact our experts today.
