Design of microarray probes for virus identification and detection of emerging viruses at the genus level

Background: Most virus detection methods are geared towards the detection of specific single viruses or just a few known targets, and lack the capability to uncover the novel viruses that cause emerging viral infections. To address this issue, we developed a computational method that identifies the conserved viral sequences at the genus level for all viral genomes available in GenBank, and established a virus probe library. The virus probes are used not only to identify known viruses but also for discerning the genera of emerging or uncharacterized ones. Results: Using the microarray approach, the identity of the virus in a test sample is determined by the signals of both genus and species-specific probes. The genera of emerging and uncharacterized viruses are determined based on hybridization of the viral sequences to the conserved probes for the existing viral genera. A detection and classification procedure to determine the identity of a virus directly from detection signals result...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2006
• Where: BMCBI
• Authors: Cheng-Chung Chou, Te-Tsui Lee, Chun-Houh Chen, Hsiang-Yun Hsiao, Yi-Ling Lin, Mei-Shang Ho, Pan-Chyr Yang, Konan Peck
• Keywords: BMCBI 2006, Viral Infections, Viral Sequence, Virus