Genome identification of newly emerging influenza virusand generation of seed virus for vaccine production by reverse genetics

We have successfully established a series of primers that can amplify all of the eight genomic segments of influenza A virus, which help to do the full genome analysis as well as identification of potential genetic makers that are important for viral growth. By introducing a specific genetic maker into seed virus may help vaccine production in good yields. Meanwhile we have been amplifying and cloning influenza viral genes from recent Taiwanese isolates, influenza A/141/02 (H1N1) and influenza A/3346/02 (H3N2), into the 12-plasmids reverse genetics system. For H1N1 subtype, we finished the constructions of M and NS; and for H3N2, we finished most of the genes except PB2 and PB1. Recently we have obtained the 8-plasmids system and have been constructing the viral genes derived from recent new isolates. We have also been figuring out an analyzing model to understand the compatibility among viral gene segment derived from different strains of viruses. Understanding the compatibility in reassortment is very important for vaccine seed strain generation, which will help us to know what kind of combination in reverse genetics will render a virus grow very efficiently.

Project ID:PG9702-0152
External Project ID:DOH95-DC-1413