ABSTRACT

Reverse genetics (RG) was developed about 30 years ago and

has been used mainly for exploring the molecular biology and

pathogenesis of RNA viruses. Using RG, the need for working with

infectious viral particles is obviated, thus making it possible to

explore dangerous viruses in almost any laboratory. Recently, RG-

based detection systems for several negative-stranded RNA (NS

RNA) viruses were developed. The novel detection techniques rely

on short, extremely well-conserved sequences at the ends of the

viral genome, so this detection method is unaffected by the diversity

of the strains within a given viral family. Due to the use of the green

fluorescent protein or Luciferase reporter genes as a signal of viral

replication in vitro, these detection systems can serve as a platform

technology for high-throughput screening of antiviral agents and

neutralizing antibodies for NS RNA viruses.