Using a minigenome-based functional assay, we have established conditions (described under Results and shown in Figure 1 ) that have allowed us to produce substantial quantities of NiV VLPs to be able to undertake the studies described in this manuscript. We have shown that these particles are functionally assembled, biologically active and are able to induce innate immune responses, and a neutralizing antibody response. Native VLPs have been used to study various aspects of the virus lifecycle, as carriers to deliver heterologous proteins for vaccination, and to deliver small molecules for gene therapy purposes. Particularly importantly, they have been used highly effectively as vaccines in their native form [31, 32, 39, 40, 41] .