A bright future for bioluminescent imaging in viral research. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coleman, Stewart M; McGregor, Alistair
• Is Part Of: Future virology. Volume 10:Number 2(2015)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: bioluminescence imaging -- BLI -- CCD camera -- cytomegalovirus -- herpes simplex -- influenza -- luciferase -- pathogenesis -- viral dissemination -- virus imaging; Virology -- Periodicals; Virus diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.9101
• DOI: 10.2217/fvl.14.96
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-0794

Abstract

SUMMARY : Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) has emerged as a powerful tool in the study of animal models of viral disease. BLI enables real-time in vivo study of viral infection, host immune response and the efficacy of intervention strategies. Substrate dependent light emitting luciferase enzyme when incorporated into a virus as a reporter gene enables detection of bioluminescence from infected cells using sensitive charge-coupled device (CCD) camera systems. Advantages of BLI include low background, real-time tracking of infection in the same animal and reduction in the requirement for larger animal numbers. Transgenic luciferase-tagged mice enable the use of pre-existing nontagged viruses in BLI studies. Continued development in luciferase reporter genes, substrates, transgenic animals and imaging systems will greatly enhance future BLI strategies in viral research.