Development and application of recombinant proteins for improved BPI-3 and BHV-1 sero-diagnosis

All formats demonstrated high viral specificity and minimal non-specific binding interferences, with the fluorescent BPI-3 immunoassay demonstrating increased assay sensitivity relative to available BPI-3 HN serological assays. An IgM-based BPI-3 HN immunoassay was also developed revealing IgM antibody patterns suggesting that IgM may play a more significant role in anamnestic responses during early vaccination / vaccination in the face of maternal antibodies.

Orientated immobilisation of recombinant BHV-1 gB onto SPR biosensor platforms was shown to overcome issues with protein purification, enabling measurement of significant differences between BHV-1 positive and negative animals, as well as other viral-specific sera. Overall, recombinant BPI-3 HN protein showed the best utility as a capture antigen for improved viral serodiagnosis, as well as potential for further use in the development of multiplex/point of care tests.

Using oriented immobilisation approaches, recombinant BHV-1 gB protein can be used as a capture antigen, and with further purification has potential for use for immunoassay development on more sensitive assay platforms.<br><br><i>Thesis embargoed until 31st December 2026</i>