Dengue
WHAT WE DO
Dengue research services at VRS
At VRS we work with all four dengue virus serotypes:
- DENV-1
- DENV-2
- DENV-3
- DENV-4
Our assays
Dengue testing services
Virus quantification assays
TCID₅₀ assay, immunofocus, and qRT-PCR are available for quantifying infectious virus (immunofocus and TCID₅₀) or total viral genome copies (qRT-PCR) from biological samples and to evaluate the effect of antiviral compounds or other treatments on virus replication and release.
Our TCID₅₀ and qRT-PCR assays are ISO 17025 accredited.
Antiviral and cytotoxicity assays
Antiviral and cytotoxicity assays are available for evaluating compounds against all four dengue virus serotypes.
Our antiviral and cytotoxicity assays are ISO 17025 accredited.
Neutralisation assays
Our neutralisation assay measures the neutralising activity of antibodies, sera and other test articles against all four dengue virus serotypes.
Our microneutralisation assays are ISO 17025 accredited.
Bespoke studies
VRS also offers bespoke studies, including customised assay development, mechanism-of-action studies, virus characterisation and fundamental virology research.
Case Study: Bespoke ELISA assays for epitope mapping of dengue and Zika vaccine candidates
Off-the-shelf kits could not keep pace with a vaccine programme whose antigens changed with every design cycle. VRS built a platform rather than a single assay: modular enough to run direct, indirect and competition formats, and to absorb new epitopes without redevelopment.
Background
What is dengue virus?
Dengue virus (DENV) is a flavivirus belonging to the Flaviviridae family.
It is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that enters cells primarily through clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Viral replication occurs in specialised endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived membrane structures within the cytoplasm of infected cells, and newly formed virions undergo maturation in the Golgi apparatus before being released by exocytosis.
Its genome encodes three structural proteins – capsid (C), membrane (M) and envelope (E) – and seven non-structural proteins involved in viral replication and immune evasion.
When referring to dengue virus, we are actually referring to four antigenically distinct serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4). Infection with one serotype induces long-lasting immunity against that serotype, but only limited and transient protection against the others. As a result, subsequent infection with a different serotype may increase the risk of severe disease through mechanisms such as antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) and original antigenic sin.
Dengue virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and causes a broad spectrum of disease, ranging from mild dengue fever to severe dengue. Mild disease is typically characterised by high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, whereas severe dengue can result in haemorrhage, plasma leakage and shock. If left untreated, severe dengue has a mortality rate exceeding 20%.
It is estimated that more than 100 million symptomatic dengue infections occur each year, with the associated healthcare costs and loss of productivity amounting to several billion dollars annually.
Although vaccines have been developed, challenges remain. One licensed vaccine is recommended only for individuals with prior dengue exposure because of an increased risk of severe disease in dengue-naïve recipients, while the long-term durability of protection provided by newer vaccines continues to be evaluated.
There are currently no approved antiviral therapies for dengue virus infection, leaving a significant unmet medical need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work with live virus?
Yes. All our studies are performed using live, replication-competent wild-type viruses. We maintain representative isolates from each of the four dengue virus serotypes, enabling comparative studies across DENV-1 to DENV-4.
Can you work with new virus strains or develop bespoke assays?
Yes. If a required strain is commercially available (or can be supplied by the client), we can acquire, expand and optimise it for your project.
We routinely develop bespoke assays tailored to individual research programmes. We work with both Containment Level 2 (CL2) and Containment Level 3 (CL3) viruses. For new or unusual pathogens, additional biosafety assessments or regulatory approvals may be required before work can begin. We recommend discussing these requirements with us early during project planning to avoid unnecessary delays.
Do you work with other flaviviruses?
Yes. In addition to all four dengue virus serotypes, we also work with:
- Zika virus (African and Asian lineages)
- Yellow fever virus vaccine strain
Why choose VRS for dengue studies?
VRS has more than 20 years of experience working with dengue virus, spanning fundamental virology, virus-host interactions and antiviral research.
Our expertise includes bespoke assay development, antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) assays, neutralisation assays and other specialised virology techniques. By combining robust, well-characterised assays with extensive practical experience, we help clients generate reliable data tailored to their scientific objectives.
Can you adapt existing assays to our specific requirements?
Yes. All experimental work is carried out by our scientific team within our UK laboratories. We do not subcontract laboratory work to third parties.
Where a project requires specialist services outside our scope (for example, peptide synthesis or animal studies), we can coordinate with trusted collaborators while remaining your primary scientific contact throughout the project.
How can I find out more?
You can explore our related resources, including technical articles, case studies and virus-specific services, using the Learn More section above.
If you would like to discuss your project directly, please contact us using our contact form or email vrs@virologyresearchservices.com.
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