back-ground
Implementation

Implementation

Index

Summary

We aim to conduct a large scale survey of dengue virus endemic areas and accumulate useful data for vaccine distribution by creating both a cellular fluorescence detection kit that can easily detect fluorescence in the field as well as diagnose dengue virus infection in dengue virus endemic areas. Our Single-Round Infectious Particles (SRIP), which forms the basis of our project, is an exciting and promising system. On this page, we describe our vision for a self-sufficient society using these technologies.

Figure1:Overall OverviewFigure1:Overall Overview

Potential End Users

  • (Neutralization assay) Research institutions such as pharmaceutical companies developing vaccines and national health agencies to detect dengue virus more accurately and quickly.
  • (High-throughput fluorometer) Pharmaceutical companies, national health authorities, and other research institutions to more easily perform fluorescence detection without the need for large scale opportunities.

Core Technology for Implementation: High-throughput fluorometer

We developed fluorometer software that can determine the intensity of fluorescence emitted by infected cells from photographs. We are trying to speed up inspections by using hardware to make quantitative observations instead of visual observations.High-throughput is achieved by this inspection format. (See the Haedware page for details)
Figure2:Detect fluorescenceFigure2:Detect fluorescence

Consideration for Biosafety

Our detection kits are designed with safety in mind. Show the safety advantages of our detection kits.

  • No spreading occurs because of the use of animal cells
  • SRIP causes only one infection, so the risk to the operator is low.
  • The SRIP characteristic of causing only one infection also reduces the likelihood of spreading recombinant genes.

Our detection method is very safe and can detect dengue virus with high sensitivity while maintaining safety, even in areas with relatively simple laboratories, or in laboratories or organizations that have difficulty installing expensive or large machinery.

Future Prospects

One of the challenges we are facing is "the grade of laboratory required to use SRIP. Dr. Suzuki of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases advised us that it would be ideal if this detection kit could be used outdoors, but that it would be difficult to use SRIP outdoors. However, the PRNT method, currently the most commonly used neutralization test, requires a BSL-3 level laboratory, whereas the SRIP has the advantage of being able to operate in a lower level laboratory. If the technology of pseudo-viruses develops in the future, such recombinant viruses will become available anywhere, or if SRIP, which is superior in terms of prevention of spread, is developed, it will be possible to use it in the field.
Figure3:Image of infection diagnosis in a tentFigure3:Image of infection diagnosis in a tent