Biology/Viral integration
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Question
Hello,
I was just wondering is there an assay or some way to determine where within a genome a retrovirus is integrated? I understand it can be site-specific or random, but is there any way to tell where it did integrate? Thanks!
Hi Brett: Thanks for your question.
The virus will integrate anywhere in the genome, but to detect its location, you need special tools.
Often these tools use PCR (polymerase chain reaction) kits, or antibody mediated detection methods.
Here are some references.
http://www.bioworldantibodies.com/info/episomaldescription.pdf
http://nar.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/25/21/4419
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/357/11/1156
Take a look at these sites and if you have more questions, I'll be glad to help you.
FM Rollwagen, PhD
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Answers by Expert:
Florence M Rollwagen
Expertise
I can answer questions in biology, microbiology and immunology on the undergraduate or graduate level. I can also address medical and health concerns regarding alternative medicine, autoimmune diseases (lupus, MS) liver disease and intestinal problems.
Experience
I have over 20 years experience in research and teaching at the medical/graduate level, and 5 years teaching college biology and microbiology. My expertise is in microbiology and immunology, specifically the biology of cytokines and soluble immune response modifiers. I also carried out original research in blood substitutes and shock/trauma.
Organizations
American Association of Immunologists (AAI)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publications
Journal of Experimental Medicine, Journal of Immunology, Cytokine, Shock, Experimental Hematology
Education/Credentials
BS biology 1966
MS biology 1968
PhD immunology 1979
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