Publication by KU Leuven: Multiplexed multicolor antiviral assay amenable for high-throughput research

Li-Hsin Li, Winston Chiu, Yun-An Huang, Madina Rasulova, Thomas Vercruysse, Hendrik Jan Thibaut, Sebastiaan ter Horst, Joana Rocha-Pereira, Greet Vanhoof, Doortje Borrenberghs, Olivia Goethals, Suzanne J F Kaptein, Pieter Leyssen, Johan Neyts, Kai Dallmeier

Nature Communications

Published: January 2nd 2024

Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a transformative antiviral assay that enables simultaneous screening against multiple viruses, significantly enhancing the efficiency of antiviral research.

Key Highlights

✅ Multiplexed System: This innovative method utilizes a cell-based system where three distinct viruses—dengue, Japanese encephalitis, and yellow fever—are each tagged with unique fluorescent proteins. This tagging allows for individual monitoring within cell cultures through high-content imaging.

✅ Simultaneous Screening: This method facilitates the assessment of antiviral compounds targeting different viral strains in multiple virus species within a single experiment.

Proven Effectiveness

✅ Validated Approach: The effectiveness of the assay was confirmed by use of specific antisera and small-molecule inhibitors, showing that the multiplexed approach produces results similar to traditional single-virus assays.

✅ Pilot Screen of Small Molecules: Impressively, the platform proved its potential during a pilot screen of around 1,200 drug-like small molecules, highlighting its suitability for high-throughput research.

Expanding Uses and Future Potential

✅ Applications Beyond the Tested Viruses: In addition to the tested viruses, this multiplexed assay holds promise for wider applications. Its flexibility enables the inclusion of viruses from various families, such as chikungunya, parainfluenza, and Bunyamwera, making it a versatile tool for extensive antiviral research.

✅ Extending Antiviral Therapies: By simplifying the process of identifying effective antiviral agents across multiple viruses at once, this assay marks a significant step forward in the development of broad-spectrum antiviral therapies.

🔗 Read the full publication here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44339-z

Li LH, Chiu W, Huang YA, Rasulova M, Vercruysse T, Thibaut HJ, Ter Horst S, Rocha-Pereira J, Vanhoof G, Borrenberghs D, Goethals O, Kaptein SJF, Leyssen P, Neyts J, Dallmeier K. Multiplexed multicolor antiviral assay amenable for high-throughput research. Nat Commun. 2024 Jan 2;15(1):42. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-44339-z. PMID: 38168091; PMCID: PMC10761739.