Detection of virus mRNA within infected host cells using an isothermal nucleic acid amplification assay: marine cyanophage gene expression within Synechococcus sp
2007

Detecting Virus mRNA in Infected Cells

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Wharam Susan D, Hall Matthew J, Wilson William H

Primary Institution: Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

Hypothesis

Can the SMART assay differentiate between infected and non-infected host cultures and detect viral gene expression?

Conclusion

The SMART assay effectively differentiates between virus-infected and non-infected cultures and detects gene expression.

Supporting Evidence

  • The SMART assay can detect both RNA and DNA from infected cells.
  • g20 mRNA levels peaked 240-360 minutes post-infection.
  • This is the first reported use of the SMART assay for detecting viral gene expression.

Takeaway

Scientists used a special test to see if viruses were making copies of their genes inside infected cells, and they found that it worked really well.

Methodology

The SMART assay was used to detect viral RNA and DNA in infected host cells by amplifying specific sequences.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1743-422X-4-52

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