KIOST Develops Rapid Diagnostic Technology for 'Carp Herpesvirus'

The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) has developed a ‘recombinant single-chain variable fragment (scFv)’ that can rapidly and easily diagnose one of the marine viruses, the ‘Koi Herpesvirus,’ and published the findings in the international journal Fishes.

With industrial development and the increase of large vessels, cargo volume has increased, and imports of aquatic organisms and seafood continue to rise, leading to the introduction of various marine pathogens induced by infectious marine viruses such as the ‘Koi Herpesvirus’ into domestic waters.

Moreover, mass mortality of marine organisms is becoming a global issue, negatively impacting human health as well.

In response, Dr. Taek-Gyeon Lee’s research team at the Risk Analysis Research Center of KIOST’s Namhae Research Institute conducted a study to detect infectious marine viruses in real-time on-site.

As a result, they developed a ‘recombinant single-chain variable fragment (scFv)’ capable of diagnosing infectious diseases quickly and accurately, and applied the ‘scFv’ to develop a detection method for the ‘Koi Herpesvirus,’ which is fatal to aquatic organisms.

An image showing the process of selecting a genetically engineered mini-antibody (scFv) that selectively binds to carp herpesvirus during the washing process.

The ‘scFv’ is a diagnostic technology that maintains the rapidity and on-site applicability of antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which has become standard in COVID-19 and infectious disease diagnostics, while complementing the accuracy of nucleic acid-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques.

This research was jointly conducted by KIOST and Sungkyunkwan University, and it is expected that the ‘recombinant single-chain variable fragment (scFv)’ diagnostic method will enable rapid and accurate on-site diagnosis of the ‘Koi Herpesvirus.’

Dr. Taek-Gyeon Lee, principal researcher at KIOST, stated, “We will continue to develop nucleic acid- and nano-antibody-based diagnostic technologies to more accurately diagnose infectious marine viruses introduced into the country through ocean currents, ballast water from overseas vessels, and the distribution process of aquatic products.”

Kang Do-Hyung, president of KIOST, said, “To prepare for the post-pandemic era, it is important to monitor infectious marine viruses with specialized technologies and diagnose them on-site using precise methods. KIOST will contribute to establishing a response system for the diagnosis, treatment, and control of infectious marine viruses directly related to public safety.”

The research paper titled ‘Development of an Immunoassay Detection System for Koi Herpesvirus Using Recombinant Single-Chain Variable Fragments’ was published in the international journal Fishes in December last year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.