Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
15:49
Reverse Genetics to Engineer Positive-Sense RNA Virus Variants
Published on: June 9, 2022
1.8K
Engineering Nipah virus: Reverse genetics as a gateway to novel drug discovery
Muralidharan Menon Arjun1, Gopinathan Pillai Sreekanth1
1Manipal Institute of Virology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
New Microbes and New Infections
|December 30, 2025
Summary
Nipah virus (NiV) research is advanced by reverse genetics, enabling study without high-containment labs. This approach accelerates the development of crucial antiviral treatments and vaccines for this dangerous re-emerging virus.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic re-emerging virus demanding Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) containment.
- Limited access to BSL-4 facilities hinders research into NiV immunopathogenesis and antiviral development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review reverse genetics and pseudotyping methods for Nipah virus (NiV).
- To highlight the role of these techniques in understanding NiV pathogenesis and advancing therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Summarizing established reverse genetics systems for NiV.
- Describing pseudotyping methodologies adapted for NiV research.
- Reviewing the application of these tools in preclinical drug candidate evaluation.
Main Results:
- Reverse genetics enables NiV genome manipulation outside BSL-4, facilitating research.
- These methodologies have been crucial for evaluating NiV drug candidates in preclinical studies.
- Several NiV therapeutic candidates are currently in development pipelines.
Conclusions:
- Reverse genetics and pseudotyping are vital tools for NiV research and development.
- These techniques overcome BSL-4 accessibility limitations, accelerating therapeutic and vaccine advancements.
- Continued application of reverse genetics is key to combating NiV.
Related Concept Videos
02:46Genetic Screens
5.5K
Genetic screens are tools used to identify genes and mutations responsible for phenotypes of interest. Genetic screens help identify individuals or a group of people at risk of developing genetic diseases and help them with early intervention, targeted therapy, and reproductive options.
Forward genetic screens
Forward or “classical” genetic screens involve creating random mutations in an organism’s DNA using radiation, mutagens, or insertion of additional bases, which...
Forward genetic screens
Forward or “classical” genetic screens involve creating random mutations in an organism’s DNA using radiation, mutagens, or insertion of additional bases, which...
5.5K
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
698
RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
698