Newer molecular approaches to detect known viruses and previously unrecognized viruses in cell substrates

The theme of this brief presentation is that there are tremendous advances not only in PCR-based detection but in other novel ways of detecting viruses and other agents. Much of the research is now being driven by the bio-defence agenda. Somehow those with manufacturing and regulatory responsibilities have to keep abreast of these developments and incorporate them as they become available into defining the safety of cell substrates. I am concerned that these techniques are and may remain academic research tools without validation or standardization, and that individual academic laboratories will not develop the capacity and special skills necessary to satisfy regulatory requirements, but that there is a tremendous research incentive in this area that needs to be linked with the development of safe prophylactic and therapeutic biologicals. With that, I will finish what I would consider as a report rather than an original talk.