The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST, President Kang Do-hyung) announced the development of recombinant single-chain variable fragments (scFv) that can quickly and easily diagnose koi herpesvirus (KHV), a marine virus, and published the results in the international journal Fishes.*

* KIOST, Lee, Taek Kyun, et al., December 2022 (Paper title: Development of an Immunoassay Detection System for Koi Herpesvirus Using Recombinant Single-Chain Variable Fragments)

With today’s increasing industrial development and growing number of large ships leading to greater cargo volumes and steadily increasing imports of fish and fish products, various marine pathogens derived from infectious marine viruses,* such as KHV, have been entering domestic waters. In addition, mass mortalities of marine organisms are becoming a problem around the world, having a negative impact on human health.

* The potential risk is high because such viruses spread quickly and general risk management responses such as vaccination and quarantine are not possible.

Dr. Lee’s research team at the Risk Assessment Research Center of the KIOST South Sea Research Institute conducted a study to detect infectious marine viruses in real time in the field. They developed recombinant scFv that can quickly and accurately diagnose infectious diseases and used them to develop a method for detecting KHV, which is deadly to aquatic organisms.

Recombinant scFv is a diagnostic technology that maintains the rapidity and field orientation of the antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),* which has become the standard for diagnosing COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, while complementing the accuracy of nucleic acid-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR)** technology.

* ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay): a method of determining the presence or absence of an antigen or antibody using an immune response in which the antigen or antibody binds to each other

** PCR (polymerase chain reaction): a technique used to replicate and amplify a desired portion of DNA

The research was conducted jointly by KIOST and Sungkyunkwan University and is expected to provide rapid and accurate diagnosis of KHV in the field through the application of the recombinant scFv diagnostic technique.

KIOST Senior Researcher Lee said, “Since 2013, we have been conducting research related to the monitoring, profiling, and development of diagnostic technologies for infectious marine viruses, an area that has yet to be developed in Korea.” He went on to add, “We will continue to develop nucleic acid and nanoantibody-based diagnostic technologies in order to more accurately diagnose infectious marine viruses introduced into Korea from ocean currents, ballast water brought from overseas, and seafood distribution.”

KIOST President Kang Do-hyung said, “It is important to monitor infectious marine viruses with specialized technologies and diagnose them on-site with precise technology in order to prepare for the post-pandemic era. KIOST will contribute to the establishment of a marine virus response system for diagnosing, treating, and controlling infectious marine viruses that have direct impacts on public health and safety.”