ELISA

Dr. Ghirlanda decided to do a piggyback experiment with the g120 protein and involve Anna and me. We are lucky to have the additional experience!

The big question is do Cyanovirin (CVN) mutants bind to the gp120 protein? (The gp120 protein is an envelope protein in the HIV virus.) We know from previous research that they do and the binding with CVN creates an anti-viral activity. The previous research has set the stage for current research by other scientists to investigate CVN as a microbicide to prevent HIV transmission. To gain more understanding about this you can read Dr. Ghirlanda's journal article: A Monovalent Mutant of Cyanovirin-N Provides Insight into the Role of Multiple Interactions with gp120 for Antiviral Activity, Biochemistry 2007, 46,9199-9207.

The experiment we are doing with her now is to help clarify why some of the mutant binding is weaker than what is desired. So we are setting up to groups of ELISA assays. One (Anna's and mine) is being carried out at room temperature. The other tray is kept at 4 degrees C. You can read more about this assay technique which is used in the medical & other industries too by clicking on ELISA.

I'll be posting pictures and videos of both the experiments we are working on in the lab soon!