METHODS, PLASMID VECTORS AND PRIMERS FOR ASSESSING HIV VIRAL FITNESS

• Main Authors: KRAUS, GUENTER, TODD, ALISON VELYIAN, DE BETHUNE, MARIE-PIERRE T.M.M.G, MAES, BART ANNA JULIEN, DE BAERE, INKY PAUL MADELEINE, MOKANY, ELISA, RIMSKY, LAURENCE TATIANA
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 08.06.2011
• Subjects: BEER; BIOCHEMISTRY; CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL ORENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES; ENZYMOLOGY; MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEICACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS; METALLURGY; MICROBIOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; SPIRITS; VINEGAR; WINE

The present invention relates to methods and means for the evaluation of HIV replicative capacity in a given environment. In particular, the invention provides a growth competition assay that can determine relative viral fitness using a recombinant tagged HIV-1 virus system. The methods rely on plasmid vectors, amplicons, primers and probes, and the generation of replication-competent viruses therefrom. Said methods and materials may find use in multiple fields including diagnostics, drug screening, pharmacogenetics and drug development.