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.