Mona Ziltener is an MSc student at the Swiss TPH pursuing her MSc project in the VIM laboratory.
The goal of Mona’s MSc project is to generate highly specific monoclonal antibodies against different subtypes of the Influenza A neuraminidase (NA) surface protein. The efficient recombination of Influenza A virus surface proteins represents a major threat for the emergence of global pandemics. Monoclonal antibodies that selectively bind to specific NA surface proteins can be used as biological tools to efficiently detect Influenza A virus in air samples and enable virus identification and classification.
In collaboration with other research groups, a device is currently being developed to integrate this antibody-based detection system, enabling the capture of Influenza A virus subtypes from air samples.
Mona will culture hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies against the Influenza NA surface protein, obtained from mice immunized with specific NA subtypes. To assess antibody affinity, NA antigen capture ELISA will be performed following antibody purification and amplification. In addition, sorting of NA-responsive B cells will be carried out. Finally, a pseudovirus system will be used for validation and further development of the assay.
Interests
- Going on excursions
- Looking after her horse
- Investigating Influenza