Host Factor Identification
Host Factor Identification - Related Videos
06:02
Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors
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Cited by 8 •
2018
Here, we present the protocols to identify 1) virus-encoded immunomodulators that promote arbovirus replication and 2) eukaryotic host factors that restrict arbovirus replication. These fluorescence- and luminescence-based methods allow researchers to rapidly obtain quantitative readouts of arbovirus replication in simplistic assays with low signal-to-noise ratios.
08:20
RNAi Screening for Host Factors Involved in Vaccinia Virus Infection using Drosophila Cells
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Cited by 10 •
2010
Novel host factors involved in viral infection can be identified through cell-based genome-wide loss of function RNAi screening. A Drosophila cell culture model is particularly amenable to this approach due to the ease and efficiency of RNAi. Here we demonstrate this technique using vaccinia virus as an example.
15:29
Microscopy-based Assays for High-throughput Screening of Host Factors Involved in Brucella Infection of Hela Cells
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Cited by 6 •
2016
Two assays for microscopy-based high-throughput screening of host factors involved in Brucella infection are described. The entry assay detects host factors required for Brucella entry and the endpoint assay those required for intracellular replication. While applicable for alternative approaches, siRNA screening in HeLa cells is used to illustrate the protocols.
10:27
In Silico Identification and Characterization of circRNAs During Host-Pathogen Interactions
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Cited by 1 •
2022
The protocol submitted here explains the complete in silico pipeline needed to predict and functionally characterize circRNAs from RNA-sequencing transcriptome data studying host-pathogen interactions.
14:12
Rodent Identification II
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2015
Source: Kay Stewart, RVT, RLATG, CMAR; Valerie A. Schroeder, RVT, RLATG. University of Notre Dame, IN Animal records must be accurately maintained to ensure that data collection is correct. Records range from maintaining information on cage cards to having a detailed database with all of the relevant information on each animal. The primary component of recordkeeping is the individual identification of research animals. There are a variety of methods suitable for identifying mice and rats. This...
FAQs
Genetic screens reveal genes whose disruption or alteration changes a biological process, whereas protein-interaction assays identify physical or functional relationships between proteins and other molecular components. Expression profiling adds information about changes in cellular activity under defined conditions. Comparing results from these approaches can distinguish candidate factors associated with a process from those supported by complementary molecular evidence.
Discovery methods generate candidates, but targeted perturbation tests whether an individual factor actually influences the process. Researchers deliberately alter the candidate and measure the resulting change under defined conditions. This validation step strengthens causal interpretation, helps separate important regulators from correlated markers, and clarifies whether the factor promotes, restricts, or regulates the biological outcome being studied.
A candidate factor becomes more informative when interpreted within the cellular pathway or signaling system in which it acts. Mapping related genes, proteins, or expression changes can show whether the factor connects to tumor-cell survival, proliferation, immune evasion, or treatment resistance. This broader context helps link a molecular finding to a clinically relevant cancer phenotype rather than treating it as an isolated association.
A typical workflow begins by selecting a biological process and applying a discovery approach, such as a genetic screen, protein-interaction assay, or expression profiling. Researchers then prioritize candidate genes, proteins, or pathways, perform targeted perturbation, and measure the process under defined conditions. Comparing candidate-specific effects with the original discovery results supports validation and guides interpretation of the outcome.
Defined experimental conditions are important because a candidate may affect a process only in a particular cellular or signaling context. Researchers should compare the relevant process after targeted perturbation and examine whether the direction or magnitude of change is consistent with the discovery result. Careful condition selection helps reveal whether the factor supports, restricts, or regulates the measured phenotype.
In cancer research, identified host factors can help explain how tumor cells maintain survival or proliferation, evade immune responses, or resist treatment. The resulting molecular evidence may prioritize factors for further study as biomarkers or therapeutic targets. Its value lies in connecting cellular interactions and pathways with disease-related phenotypes that can guide mechanistic investigation and treatment-focused research.