This video demonstrates an in vitro technique to detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection via a recombinant HBV reporter system. Upon infecting host cells, the recombinant viral genome expresses the luciferase reporter enzyme, which produces bioluminescence upon oxidizing its substrate — helping detect viral infection.
Protocol
1. Production of Recombinant HBV Encoding the Reporter Protein Preparation of HepG2 cells Prepare cell culture medium (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium or DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 µg/ml streptomycin, and 100 U/ml nonessential amino acids). Plate 4 x 106 HepG2 cells in a 10-cm collagen-coated dish in 10 ml of culture medium the day before transfection. Incubate HepG2 cells at…