For NoV research, the problem has always been the lack of a suitable viral infectivity assay either in cell culture or animal models. This project sought to develop the first in vitro cell culture infectivity assay for human noroviruses, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contaminate Candidate List (CCL-2) pathogen, isolated from source and drinking water supplies. Optimization of conditions for generating human physiological meaningful 3-D models of the small intestinal epithelium had been previously demonstrated for studies on Salmonella pathogenesis of the small intestine. Using this cell culture model, the research team tested a number of documented NoV outbreaks from cruise ships, nursing homes, and human challenge trials. Both Genogroup I and II strains were tested in this system to demonstrate robustness of the infectivity assay. Infectivity was assessed by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, hybridization of viral RNA inside cells, and conventional and real-time PCR. In addition, assays were conducted to determine if the viruses could be passed through cell culture.

For NoV research, the problem has always been the lack of a suitable viral infectivity assay either in cell culture or animal models. This project sought to develop the first in vitro cell culture infectivity assay for human noroviruses, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contaminate Candidate List (CCL-2) pathogen, isolated from source and drinking water supplies. Optimization of conditions for generating human physiological meaningful 3-D models of the small intestinal epithelium had been previously demonstrated for studies on Salmonella pathogenesis of the small intestine. Using this cell culture model, the research team tested a number of documented NoV outbreaks from cruise ships, nursing homes, and human challenge trials. Both Genogroup I and II strains were tested in this system to demonstrate robustness of the infectivity assay. Infectivity was assessed by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, hybridization of viral RNA inside cells, and conventional and real-time PCR. In addition, assays were conducted to determine if the viruses could be passed through cell culture.

For NoV research, the problem has always been the lack of a suitable viral infectivity assay either in cell culture or animal models. This project sought to develop the first in vitro cell culture infectivity assay for human noroviruses, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contaminate Candidate List (CCL-2) pathogen, isolated from source and drinking water supplies. Optimization of conditions for generating human physiological meaningful 3-D models of the small intestinal epithelium had been previously demonstrated for studies on Salmonella pathogenesis of the small intestine. Using this cell culture model, the research team tested a number of documented NoV outbreaks from cruise ships, nursing homes, and human challenge trials. Both Genogroup I and II strains were tested in this system to demonstrate robustness of the infectivity assay. Infectivity was assessed by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, hybridization of viral RNA inside cells, and conventional and real-time PCR. In addition, assays were conducted to determine if the viruses could be passed through cell culture.