Focused Antibody and DNA Production for CVV Investigation

CDC Influenza Division (ID) is responsible for the development of Candidate Vaccine Viruses (CVV) based on circulating and novel influenza strains. CVVs are reassortant viruses which are used as the starting materials for seasonal and pandemic vaccines. To facilitate the development of CVVs, the CDC uses synthetic genes to transcribe viral genes to produce CVVs.  Interactions between viruses and host proteins can elucidate molecular properties of viruses not readily apparent by other means.  Expressing proteins from engineered plasmids is the foundation of most downstream assays utilized in this regard.

Accordingly, the Influenza Division requires synthetic genes, produced by de novo synthesis or modifications of existing templates through mutagenesis, and other genetic products to be developed routinely based on the constant changes in the genetic makeup of the circulating and novel viruses. These changes are unpredictable and cannot be identified until the viruses are isolated from patients or infected animals.