Patent ID: 6750009
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of screening a candidate antiviral agent for antiviral activity comprising(a) preparing a first cell culture comprising cells containing a first subgenomic viral replication system, and a second cell culture comprising cells containing a second subgenomic viral replication system; then (b) adding the candidate antiviral agent to each cell culture; then (c) incubating the cell cultures under conditions and for a time sufficient to detect an antiviral effect by the candidate antiviral agent on the subgenomic viral replication systems; and (d) determining the effect of the candidate antiviral agent on each viral replication system, wherein the first subgenomic viral replication system is genetically distinct from the second subgenomic viral replication system, and wherein the first and second cell cultures are combined before step (b).