Lead Inventor: Vincent Racaniello Ph.D.
U
Using a Specific cDNA Clone of a Virus to Create a Vaccine
The production of vaccines against RNA virus, such as poliovirus, relies on the production of attenuated or inactivated virus that can be safely administered, while still eliciting an immune response. The poliovirus vaccine is composed of attenuated strains of each of the 3 major serotypes. The vaccine is produced under strictly controlled conditions from a seed of each strain to minimize the risk of amplifying less attenuated strains. Both wild-type and attenuated strains have been sequenced to better understand the molecular basis of attenuation, but the use of a defined cDNA clone has not replaced the strain seed due to lack of characterization and validation. The use of a specific cDNA clone of a virus to create a vaccine would reduce variability and decrease risk.
Sequencing an RNA Virus to Create a cDNA that Can Produce the RNA Virus
This invention is a method of sequencing an RNA virus to create a cDNA that can be used to produce the RNA virus. This cDNA can then be used to transfect host cells and create RNA virus suitable for immunizing a subject against the infectious RNA virus. The plasmids and sequences for creating strain 3 of attenuated poliovirus are included as an example of the process. Methods for characterization of the RNA, cDNA, and virus are described in the invention.
Applications:
• The production of a vaccine against an RNA virus
• The characterization and/or production of a RNA virus
• The culture of a fully sequenced RNA virus
Advantages:
• Use of fully sequenced viral cDNA allows production of a homogenous virus
• At each step the exact sequence can be verified
• Sequence can be directly manipulated to achieve proper attenuation
Patent Status: Patent Issued (US 5,580,719; US 6,136,570, US 5,834,302) ~ see links below.
Licensing Status: Available for Licensing
Publications: G Kaplan, J Lubinski, A Dasgupta, and V R Racaniello. In vitro synthesis of infectious poliovirus RNA.
(1985) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 82(24): 8424-8428.