The rise of Influenza A virus (IAV) infections continues to fuel a global epidemic due to rapid mutations within the virus and its ability to cross between species. In northeastern seal populations, this antigenic shift is observed in maternal antibodies found in sera samples of seal pups. However, the chances of identifying and propagating live viruses from these samples are extremely low. An alternative approach is to use a pseudovirus (PV), which is a non-infectious viral particle that can be built to express select surface proteins. Our aim is to develop a panel of PVs, each of which carries a single sub-type of hemagglutinin (HA). We hypothesize that a PV will be able to identify the HA-subtype of an IAV from these seal samples and observe emerging IAV trends.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Maldonado, Salome A.
• Hernandez, Vanessa

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-051320-193933

Advisor

• Rulfs, Jill

Year

• 2020

Sponsor

• Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts Un

Date created

• 2020-05-13

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright