Exploring Uasin Gishu Virus: Comprehensive Preclinical Study for Drug Development & Diagnostic Innovation

Overview

The Uasin Gishu Virus (UGV) represents a newly discovered virus that scientists first detected within the Uasin Gishu County of Kenya. It belongs to the Flavivirus family. The mosquito-borne transmission of UGV mirrors that of dengue and Zika, yet researchers have not yet determined the precise way it spreads or how it causes disease. UGV is now recognized as a significant public health risk, which has garnered worldwide attention. The study of UGV remains preliminary, but researchers continue to explore the virus's infection patterns and genetic composition as well as its immune evasion strategies. With the accumulation of more preclinical data, scientists expect that developing vaccines and antiviral treatments for UGV will soon become a research priority. Creative Biolabs delivers virus research services through virus screening and pathogenic mechanism analysis while providing animal model studies. Our goal is to support clients by providing an in-depth comprehension of viral features while assisting in the development of vaccines and antiviral medications. Our services include virus detection along with immunological evaluations and preclinical toxicological research, which together guarantee both efficient and safe research results.

Accelerated UGV Preclinical Research Services (Therapeutics & Diagnostics)

• For Therapeutics Development

In Vitro Antiviral Efficacy Assays

• Cytopathic Effect (CPE) Inhibition Assay: Monitors the drug's capacity to block cellular damage caused by viral infection.
• Plaque Reduction Assay (PRA): The Plaque Reduction Assay measures the decrease in visible viral plaques after drug application.
• Virus Yield Reduction Assay (e.g., qPCR, TCID50, or PFU/mL): The Virus Yield Reduction Assay measures the decline in viral production from treated infected cells.
• EC50, IC50, CC50, and Selectivity Index (SI): Evaluate compound potency, cytotoxicity, and therapeutic index.

In Vivo Efficacy Studies (Animal Models)

• Small Animal Models (e.g., mice, hamsters, rats): The Small Animal Models, such as mice and rats, were created or modified to match the UGV's disease specificity and its pathogen profile.
• Viral Load Quantification: Employ qPCR, plaque assay, or immunohistochemistry to identify viruses present in body tissues, blood samples, or fluid specimens.
• Histopathological Analysis: Assess organ damage, inflammation, and viral spread.
• Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (PK/PD): Determine drug absorption rates, distribution patterns, drug half-life values, and how drug concentration influences specific effects.

• For Diagnostics Development

Antigen Detection Assays

• Real-Time PCR (qPCR): Real-Time PCR (qPCR) represents the highest standard for detecting and measuring viruses in patient specimens such as blood and swab samples.
• Reverse Transcription qPCR (RT-qPCR): The RNA nature of UGV requires RT-qPCR for both amplification and quantification of its viral RNA.
• Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP): Portable, rapid, and field-deployable—ideal for resource-limited settings.
• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) enables complete genome sequencing to perform strain identification, together with surveillance and metagenomic discovery.

Nucleic Acid Detection Assays

• ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): This assay technique allows researchers to perform quantitative or qualitative viral antigen identification in laboratory settings.
• Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA): The Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) uses tagged antibodies to identify viruses in infected cells.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Immunohistochemistry reveals viral proteins inside tissue sections, which serve for pathology analysis or fatal case investigations.
• Biosensor Platforms (SPR, BLI): Biosensor platforms like SPR and BLI enable continuous assessment of antigen-antibody interactions during assay optimization.

Antibody Detection Assays (Serology)

• IgM/IgG ELISA: This test identifies antibodies in serum, which reveals evidence of recent or past infection.
• Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT): PRNT stands as the definitive method to validate neutralizing antibodies and their specificity.
• Western Blot: Western Blot validates serological reactions while distinguishing UGV from other viruses that cross-react.
• Multiplex Bead-Based Assays: This technology enables researchers to identify antibodies specific to various antigens or different viral strains at the same time.

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Applications

Advantages

1. Our end-to-end solutions include virus screening and characterization, along with vaccine and antiviral drug development.

2. Our team, made up of virologists with experience as well as immunologists and drug development experts, together with technicians, delivers precise technical support to maintain the highest standards for research outcomes.

3. Our services are customized to meet client requirements through the development of PCR assays, antigen detection methods, and serological tests while maintaining precision and practicality in all provided solutions.

4. Our advanced experimental platforms and technologies, including real-time PCR, antigen detection, and animal model research, enable us to execute virus detection and vaccine and drug development projects efficiently while supporting clients in UGV research breakthroughs.

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