Patent ID: 6054281
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of testing a substance for the ability to interfere with or increase transfer of a label between a lipid enveloped viral particle and a cell, wherein a first member of a specific binding pair is present on the surface of a lipid enveloped particle comprising a transferrable label, said first member of the binding pair being characterized in that it can bind to a second member of the specific binding pair present on the surface of a cell, the lipid envelope of the particle being capable of fusing with the membrane of the cell so as to transfer the label to the cell, said transfer being inhibited by formation or oligomerization of a complex between the first and second members of the binding pair, wherein the method comprisesreacting the particle and the cell in the presence of the substance under test, and detecting the amount of label transferred, wherein the amount of label transferred is compared to a standard amount of transferred label detected in a reaction wherein the particle and cell are contacted under conditions which allow for binding of the first and second members of the specific binding pair in the absence of the substance under test, wherein an increase in the amount of label transfered in the presence of the substance under test relative to the standard is indicative of interference with formation or oligomerization of a complex.