Infectious Disease Research

Influenza

For both seasonal influenza and highly pathogenic avian influenza, Southern Research has capabilities in: antiviral in vitro compound testing; high throughput screening; evaluation in established in vivo models; and, in vitro and in vivo vaccine development and services. Southern Research has BSL-3 containment for avian influenza, and our facilities have specially engineered features that control airflow to exceed BSL-3/ABSL-3 containment requirements. Southern Research is registered with the CDC to receive and transfer select agents in accordance with 42 CFR Part 72, including highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Antivirals - In Vitro Compound Testing

In the Southern Research Influenza Program, the influenza antiviral evaluation assay examines the effects of compounds at designated dose-response concentrations on cell viability. Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells are used in the assay to test the efficacy of the compounds in preventing the cytopathic effect (CPE) induced by influenza infection. Features of our program are:

• Ribavirin, Tamiflu, or Amantadine can be included in each assay as a positive control compounds.
• Cell viability is determined 24, 48, and 72 hours later.
• IC50 and IC90 are calculated by regression analysis with semi-log curve fitting.
• TC50 and TC90 respectively are calculated.
• Selectivity (therapeutic) indices (SI = TC/IC) are calculated.
• Synergy testing is available.
• Assay development is available.

High Throughput Screening

Southern Research has screened over 2 million compounds against seasonal and avian influenza, and we maintain an active screening program for evaluation of new compound libraries. We offer:

• Targeted HTS assays for neuraminidase inhibitors
• Time of addition assays
• Generation of resistant mutants for target identification

In Vivo Models

Southern Research's established models offer evaluation of:

Drug toxicology and efficacy

Bioavailability

Half-life

Excretory routes

Tissue tropism

Contact us about custom in vivo model development.

Vaccines

In Vitro Services

Hemagglutination-inhibition assays

Neuraminidase-inhibition assays

Reagent production

Immunological assays (ELISA, Western blot)

Custom assays

Immune mechanisms

Microneutralization assays

Drug screening assays, including HTS

GLP studies

Consultation

In vivo Services

Pathogenesis (small/large animal models)

Vaccine safety/efficacy testing

Production of hyper-immune sera

Antiviral testing

Custom in vivo assays

GLP studies

Consultation

Virus Strains

Current human influenza

Mouse-adapted

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses

Novel or emerging influenza viruses