SBIR-STTR Award

Microbiologically-defined mice and rats are required for sophisticated biomedical research. Serological procedures are the most feasible and economical means to monitor the health status of laboratory animals. A major problem arises when the results of various test-kits and in-house testing laboratories (government, industry, and academia) are compared. The lack of standardization of test procedures and the unavailability of reference reagents (quality control) result in poor comparability and engender a lack of confidence in laboratory animal health monitoring programs.Microbiological Associates, Inc. proposes to produce monospecific antisera to four murine infectious agents: mouse hepatitis virus, Sendai virus, rat coronavirus/sialodacryoadenitis virus, and Mycoploasma pulmonis. These will be used as reference reagents in the standardization of serodiagnostic procedures (complement fixation, hemagglutination inhibition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunofluorescent antibody). Key features of this proposal are the oversight, analysis, and recommendations during all phases of the project by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee composed of experts in the fields of microbiology, immunology, and laboratory animal medicine. The findings and recommendations of the committee will be publicized and the reference reagents will be made available to the biomedical research community at reasonable cost.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Microbiologically-defined mice and rats are required for sophisticated biomedical research. Serological procedures are the most feasible and economical means to monitor the health status of laboratory animals. A major problem arises when the results of various "test-kits" and in-house testing laboratories (government, industry and academia) are compared. The lack of standardization of test procedures and the unavailability of reference reagents (quality control) results in poor comparability and engenders a lack of confidence in laboratory animal health monitoring programs designed to safeguard the integrity of large studies involving very large sums of money. Microbiological Associates lnc. proposes to produce monospecific antisera to twenty-five (25) murine infectious agents (in addition to the 4 agents under Phase I) to be used a reference reagents in the standardization of serodiagnostic procedures (CF HAl, ELlSA and IFA). A key feature of this proposal is the oversight, analysis and recommendations during all phases of the project by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee composed of experts in the field of microbiology, immunology and laboratory animal medicine. The findings and recommendations of the committee will be publicized.

Thesaurus Terms:
Animals, Chordates, Mammals, Rodents, Myomorpha, Mice (Laboratory) Animals, Chordates, Mammals, Rodents, Myomorpha, Rats (Laboratory) Bacteria, Mycoplasmatales, Mycoplasma Bacterial Diseases Communicable Diseases Diagnosis Diagnostic Quality-Standards Immunity, Immunotherapy, Immunization Immunological Preparations Immunological Tests And Immunoassay, Complement Fixation Tests Immunological Tests And Immunoassay, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (El Immunological Tests And Immunoassay, Hemagglutination Inhibition Immunological Tests And Immunoassay, Immunofluorescence Immunological Tests And Immunoassay, Immunological Tests Immunology, Antibodies, Immune Sera Immunology, Antibodies Bacterial Immunology, Antibodies Viral Immunology, Antigens Immunology, Serology Indicators And Reagents Microbial Identification And Classification, Serotyping Microbial Identification And Classification, Viral Typing And Identificati Veterinary Science, Animal Care Veterinary Science, Veterinary Medicine Virus DiseasesNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)