Food virologists at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have achieved a significant breakthrough by successfully cultivating human norovirus using zebrafish embryos. This development provides a crucial platform for evaluating virus inactivation in both water treatment and the food industry. Human norovirus (HuNoV) is a primary cause of global acute gastroenteritis, contributing to millions of cases and thousands of annual fatalities.

The absence of an in vitro culture system has been a longstanding hurdle in norovirus research. The recently optimized zebrafish embryo model, known for its ease of handling and efficient replication of HuNoVs, marks a groundbreaking advancement. Unlike existing models that rely on scarce human biopsy specimens, the zebrafish embryo model allows for the continuous passaging of HuNoV in a laboratory setting.

This innovation not only streamlines the cultivation of HuNoV but also offers a robust and efficient tool for in-depth studies on its behavior, replication, and other properties. The zebrafish embryo model promises to elevate both the scope and depth of HuNoV-related research. It is expected to significantly contribute to epidemiological studies and establish crucial HuNoV inactivation parameters for the water treatment and food industries.

While challenges persist in detecting infectious HuNoV in food products, the ongoing work by the NUS research team holds promise in overcoming this difficulty through continuous refinement and optimization efforts.

Source: nus.edu.sg

 

 

 

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