VIROLOGY
Chikungunya Virus (NCPV 17051701v), small, enveloped spherical virions.
by a certificate of analysis and shipping information which reflects global biosafety and biosecurity regulations. NCPV enforces strict compliance with biosafety, biosecurity, and legal frameworks, and access to all viruses requires registration. For hazard group 3 (HG3) viruses, additional due diligence tests are carried out to ensure that recipients have the facilities, expertise and authorisations necessary to handle such materials safely.
Mumps virus (NCPV 1604295v), enveloped virion with distinctive nucleoprotein.
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) (NCPV 0809071v), bullet-shaped virion.
Moreover, these viruses can be shipped as non-infectious, reducing certain requirements on the transport of dangerous goods.2 Currently, irradiated SARS-CoV-2 and mpox virus (MPXV 2022) are available, allowing them to be handled as ACDP hazard group 2, rather than 3. More inactivated strains are under development. Inactivated viruses are invaluable in serology, diagnostic test development, and vaccine immunogenicity research.
Transmission electron microscopy imaging of NCPV viruses
Mpox virus Clade IIb 2022 (NCPV 2206091v), mature brick-shaped virion.
NCPV has been working with the Microbial Imaging Unit within UKHSA to produce transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of its viruses. TEM imaging allows viruses to be viewed directly, helping to provide rapid and definitive identification, based on their unique morphology. The images shown in this article highlight the distinct structural features of individual viruses, captured at nanometre scale resolution, enabling TEM to image and define the fine structures of viruses. The images were taken by negative-stain TEM using 2% methylamine tungstate, a contrast agent, which scatters the electron beam adding contrast to the images. All viruses imaged were grown in cells obtained from the European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures (ECACC).
A trusted resource during public health emergencies NCPV has repeatedly demonstrated its strategic importance during public
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Inactivated viruses One of NCPV’s most innovative contributions to the research community, in collaboration with research colleagues based at Porton, is the provision of X-ray irradiated viruses. Irradiation prevents infectivity of a virus whilst maintaining structural integrity and antigenic properties, thus the virus loses its pathogenicity but is still suitable for studying disease. X-ray inactivated viruses are safe to handle at lower microbiological containment levels.1
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