Development of Luciferase Tagged Anthrax Bacteria to Evaluate Novel Therapies Using in Vivo Imaging

Abstract : We have developed a quantitative imaging tool of bioluminescence to visualize the anthrax infection process in real time. This involves transfection of luciferase gene that produces photons that are captured by a highly sensitive CCD camera using the IVIS Imager from Xenogen. We have transfected B. anthracis (Sterne) with the pXEN5 plasmid that contains the lux operon, kanamycin resistant colonies were selected that showed luminescent signals. In vitro assays on mouse macrophage cell line has been used to determine the infectivity of the transfectants. These luminescent transfectants will then be evaluated in an animal model. This study will also enable us to evaluate the efficacy of nanoparticles encapsulated antibodies/drugs for therapy.