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After establishing the method in a murine cell culture model, this study will undertake the sub-cloning and transfection of established and novel cell lines and screen for cells permissive to BSE infection.
Background:<BR>The titre of an infectious agent is a major factor in assessing whether transmission will occur. In Transmissable Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) diseases the titre, route of inoculation and species barrier can affect the incubation period of disease. When infectivity of low titre tissue needs to be assessed either tests with high levels of sensitivity or amplification of the infectious agent is required. Systems in use where amplification of the infectious agent takes place are so far limited to bioassay in the form of expensive and time consuming animal models. A cell-based assay could offer a faster and more cost-effective alternative without necessarily compromising sensitivity.
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Research Approach:<BR> After establishing the method in a murine cell culture model, this study will undertake the sub-cloning and transfection of established and novel cell lines and screen for cells permissive to BSE infection. Titre of infectious murine and bovine inoculum will be estimated ex vivo and the approach validated by using titred bovine BSE.
<p>Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.