Preclinical Research Excellence in Volepox Virus: Pioneering Drug Development & Diagnostic Approach

Overview

The Orthopoxvirus family contains Volepox Virus (VPXV), which scientists first identified in 1985 on a California vole's scab. The San Mateo County region of California is the native habitat for this virus, while researchers discovered a second virus strain in 1988 from a Pinyon mouse. Despite resembling other orthopoxviruses, including smallpox, the ecological and medical impact, along with its ability to spread between species, has yet to be fully researched. The disease caused by this virus produces pox-like lesions throughout the California mouse's body, affecting the tail, eyelids, paws, and ears. The symptoms develop quickly and usually end in death, resulting in a mortality rate of 54%. Scientists continue to study this virus because it represents a possible zoonotic threat, even though we don't fully understand its distribution patterns and transmission methods. Creative Biolabs offers extensive preclinical research solutions for virus research with a focus on VPXV, as well as additional viruses. We provide virus isolation and identification services alongside pathogenicity studies and immunological analysis, and conduct preclinical efficacy tests for antiviral drugs and vaccines. Our service portfolio includes custom study designs that meet specific research needs and expedite the development of viral disease diagnostics and treatments.

Accelerated VPXV Preclinical Research Services (Therapeutics & Diagnostics)

• For Therapeutics Development

In Vitro Antiviral Efficacy Assays

• The Cytopathic Effect (CPE) Inhibition Assay evaluates how well a compound shields cells from damage caused by viruses.
• The Plaque Reduction Assay (PRA) determines how much an antiviral compound decreases the number of viral plaques.
• The Virus Yield Reduction Assay evaluates the reduction of viral load in supernatants through qPCR and TCID₅₀ testing.
• Time-of-Addition Studies help pinpoint which stage of viral replication a drug targets, such as entry or replication.
• Mechanism of Action (MoA) Assays evaluate the compound's method of disrupting the virus lifecycle through actions like fusion inhibition or DNA replication blockade.

In Vivo Efficacy Studies (Animal Models)

• Mouse Model (e.g., BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice): Mice are naturally susceptible to VPXV and develop systemic infection.
• Immunocompromised Mouse Models: For studying therapeutic performance in vulnerable or immunosuppressed populations.

• For Diagnostics Development

Antigen Detection Assays

• Real-Time PCR technology provides detection capabilities for VPXV-specific genes such as DNA polymerase and hemagglutinin.
• With Digital Droplet PCR (ddPCR), scientists can accurately measure viral DNA concentrations even when they are minimal.
• The Isothermal Amplification Assays, including LAMP and RPA, provide effective solutions for field applications because they do not require a thermal cycler.

Nucleic Acid Detection Assays

• ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): Detects VPXV-specific surface or core proteins (e.g., A27L, B5R).
• Lateral Flow Immunoassays (LFIAs): Portable, quick tests for use in the field.
• Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) Assays: Highly sensitive and often automated, used in clinical laboratories.

Antibody Detection Assays (Serology)

• IgM/IgG ELISA: IgM suggests recent infection; IgG suggests past exposure or immunity.
• Virus Neutralization Test (VNT): Functional test for neutralizing antibodies; typically uses surrogate orthopoxviruses.
• Western Blot / Immunoblot: Detects antibodies against specific viral proteins.

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Products for VPXV Research

Recombinant protein technology requires the insertion of a protein-encoding gene into an expression system, which could be bacteria like E. coli or other systems such as yeast cells, insect cells, or mammalian cells. A monoclonal antibody originates from identical immune cells that descend from a single parental cell. Monoclonal antibodies can be created to attach precisely to specific antigens, including proteins from the VPXV.

• Recombinant VPXV proteins or antigens

• Antibodies against VPXV proteins

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Applications

1. The VPXV, as an Orthopoxvirus, has potential in vaccine development, immunological research, and biotechnological applications.

2. VPXV can serve as a source of recombinant proteins for developing diagnostic tools or for use in vaccine research.

3. VPXVs are also being studied as a potential vector for oncolytic virotherapy and gene therapy.

Advantages

1. Professional technical support from our company includes extensive virology knowledge along with advanced experimental platforms.

2. Customized services enable the creation of research plans that fit client requirements and boost research efficiency.

3. The company possesses extensive resources and maintains strong partnerships with research institutions and enterprises, which enable effective technology sharing and problem-solving.

4. High-quality data combined with short research cycles enables the company to deliver dependable results for its clients.

5. The company provides commercialization services alongside basic research to enable clients to bring their research findings to the market.

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