Gene gun system for multiple antibody production

“基因枪”将允许产生大量针对许多病毒和细胞蛋白质的抗体。这些试剂使我们能够跟踪各种蛋白质在时间和空间中的命运（例如什么细胞）以及与其他蛋白质的相互作用。传统上，蛋白质被注射到动物体内以产生抗体。为此，首先从细胞或病毒中纯化蛋白质，或者将蛋白质的基因克隆到表达载体中，所述表达载体允许例如在细菌细胞中合成该蛋白质。在任何一种情况下，蛋白质在使用前都要纯化，这是一个劳动密集型过程。有时，产生的蛋白质量不足，或者尽管很少，但蛋白质甚至可能对动物有毒。“基因枪”方法绕过了这一传统途径，将蛋白质的DNA基因直接射入动物的皮肤表面，这一无害的过程称为DNA疫苗接种。在基因枪的情况下，一旦基因进入细胞，蛋白质将开始在动物体内表达，并刺激免疫反应产生抗体。基因枪的侵入性也比注射蛋白质小。使用该技术生产的抗体需要用于四个研究项目。P. Krell研究昆虫杆状病毒的复制（潜在的生物杀虫剂），特别是不同病毒蛋白质的时间调节和空间分布，部分有助于确定不同蛋白质在感染周期中的作用。博士。Nagy正在研究禽腺病毒（FAdV），并试图将其开发为针对禽流感（如H5N1）和其他禽类疾病病原体的多价疫苗载体。莎拉伍顿博士，一个新的教员，研究感染和病理学的地方性鼻肿瘤病毒（ENTV），试图确定为什么它可能会导致肿瘤。Ray Lu博士正在研究疱疹病毒感染，特别是两种细胞转录因子Zhangfei和Luman在细胞和病毒感染期间的作用。所有四项研究中针对这些病毒和细胞蛋白质产生的抗体将用于在病毒感染期间或在细胞中跟踪它们的命运，这将使我们更好地了解病毒性疾病，并提供如何预防它们的线索。

The "gene gun" would allow for the generation of a large number of antibodies to many viral and cellular proteins. These reagents allow us to follow the fate of the various proteins in time and space (e.g. what cells) and interactions with other proteins. Traditionally, protein is injected into an animal to make antibodies. For this the protein is first purified from a cell or virus, or the gene for the protein is cloned into an expression vector which allows for synthesis of that protein, e.g. in a bacterial cell. In either case the protein is purified before use, a labour intensive process. Sometimes, an insufficient amount is produced, or, though rarely the protein might even be toxic to the animal. The "gene gun" approach bypasses this traditional route by shooting DNA genes for the protein directly into the surface skin of an animal, a harmless process called DNA vaccination. In the gene gun case, once the gene enters a cell the protein will start to be expressed inside the animal and will stimulate the immune response to generate antibodies. The gene gun is also less invasive than injection of protein. The antibodies to be produced using this technology are needed for four research programs. P. Krell studies the replication of insect baculoviruses (potential as biological pesticides) in particular the temporal regulation and spatial distribution of different viral proteins in part to aid in defining the roles of the different proteins in the infection cycle. Dr É. Nagy is studying fowl (avian) adenoviruses (FAdV) and is trying to develop them as multivalent vaccine vectors against avian influenza (e.g. H5N1) and other avian disease agents. Dr. Sarah Wootton, a new faculty member, studies the infection and pathology of enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV) in trying to determine why it might cause the tumours. Dr. Ray Lu is studying herpesvirus infections, particularly the role of two cellular transcription factors, Zhangfei and Luman both in the cell and during virus infection. The antibodies generated against these viral and cellular proteins for all four studies would be used to follow their fate during viral infection or in the cell and this would give us a better understanding of viral diseases and offer clues on how to protect against them.