A novel approach to uncover the complete sequence of any influenza A virus with just a quick nasal swab or nasal pharyngeal wash from patients...

HomeNews5/29/2009

Scientists at A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore, led by Dr Christopher Wong have developed a novel approach to uncover the complete sequence of any influenza A virus with just a quick nasal swab or nasal pharyngeal wash from patients. This was developed in collaboration with Roche NimbleGen.

A prepared company release said the scientists’ method, which combines a novel “generic” polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with NimbleGen’s unique microarray-based platform, enables them to amplify full genomes of influenza A viruses and sequence them within a day. This new method makes use of the same RNA (ribonucleic acid) material that is left over from traditional PCR-based diagnostics and is able to recognize any novel strain of influenza A in the first pass. This enables a faster development of diagnostics for any possible new variant; it can also rapidly determine if the strain has changed to become more dangerous, for example in terms of drug resistance.

Dr Wong said, :This new approach takes advantage of our novel PCR technology, developed for detecting a wide range of pathogens. This should greatly simplify the process of sequencing novel viruses.”

The scientists’ approach is also able to trace the mutations in the influenza A virus that may cause its resistance to drugs. Said Prof Edison Liu, GIS Executive Director, "The significance of this tracking process can be better appreciated in that it provides for vital information that can be used to prevent or combat a pandemic.”

A STAR Genome Institute of Singapore, Dr Christopher Wong, Roche NimbleGen, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), NimbleGen unique microarray-based platform, RNA (ribonucleic acid) material, PCR-based diagnostics, PCR technology, Detecting of pathogens, Prof Edison Liu, GIS Executive Director