Sample interview questions: Tell us about your knowledge of cell-based models for infectious diseases research.
Sample answer:
Cell-Based Models for Infectious Diseases Research
Cell-based models have become invaluable tools for studying infectious diseases and developing effective therapies. These models provide a platform to investigate host-pathogen interactions, identify targets for intervention, and evaluate the efficacy of novel treatments.
Types of Cell-Based Models:
- Primary cell cultures: Derived directly from patient samples, these cultures retain the characteristics of the original tissue and provide a realistic representation of the host response to infection.
- Immortalized cell lines: Derived from cells that have been manipulated to grow indefinitely, cell lines offer scalability and reproducibility but may exhibit altered cellular functions compared to primary cells.
- Organoids: Three-dimensional, self-organizing structures that mimic the architecture and functionality of specific organs, providing more physiologically relevant models of infection.
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-derived models: Generated from reprogrammed patient cells, iPSCs can be differentiated into specialized cell types, enabling personalized disease modeling and drug screening.
- Co-culture models: Involve the interaction of multiple cell types, reflecting the complexity of host-pathogen interactions and tissue microenvironments.
Applications in Infectious Diseases Research:
- Pathogenesis studies: Investigating the mechanisms of viral or bacterial entry, replication, and transmission.
- Target identification: Identifying host factors that are essential for pathogen infection or virulence.
- Drug screening: Evaluating the effectiveness of antiviral or antibacterial agents in inhibiting pathoge… Read full answer