Diagnosis of HIV-1 infection by near-infrared spectroscopy: analysis using molecular clones of various HIV-1 subtypes.

Background: Previously, we investigated the possibility of using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for the diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection. Here, we further analyze NIR spectra using molecular clones of various HIV-1 subtypes.

Methods: Culture supernatants of pNL4-3- (HIV-1 molecular clone) or pUC18- (empty vector) transfected 293 T cells were used.

Recent advances in clarifying prion protein functions using knockout mice and derived cell lines.

Considerable information on the functions of prion protein (PrP) has been accumulated. One experimental approach is the use of PrP gene-knockout mice and derived cell lines. This approach has contributed to elucidating the functions of cellular prion protein (PrP(C)), such as its anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic roles.

Near-infrared spectroscopy: promising diagnostic tool for viral infections.

Although several methods, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescent assay, and Western blotting, have been used for the diagnosis of viral infections, none of them is ideal in terms of cost-effectiveness, speed, and accuracy. Currently, the rate of outbreak of emerging viruses is increasing and therefore the development and establishment of analytical methods for such viral infections are becoming more important. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a fast, multicomponent assay that enables non-invasive, non-destructive analysis.