Several new HBV antiviral agents, including nucleoside and nucleotide
analogues and non-nucleoside heterocyclic compounds, can be screened
for in vitro anti-HBV activity. The assay systems we use are HepG2
cells (a continuous human hepatoma-derived cell line) that are
either transiently transfected with HBV or transduced with HBV
using a recombinant baculovirus system.
Potential inhibitors of the HBV DNA polymerase/reverse transcriptase
can also be screened for activity in cell-free in vitro assays
developed at VIDRL.
The laboratory also offers molecular assays (genotyping, viral
load testing) to support clinical trials of new drugs designed
to improve the treatment outcome of chronic hepatitis C infection
