In vitro hbv core protein assay

A method of identifying a compound that induces the formation of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) aberrant viral capsid structures, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a plurality of HBV-replicating cells;
• b) contacting the HBV-replicating cells with at least one test compound;
• c) fixating the HBV cells of step b);
• d) incubating the fixated HBV cells of step c) with an antibody that specifically binds to HBV core protein, thereby labelling HBV core protein fixated HBV cells;
• e) imaging the HBV core protein-labeled fixated HBV cells;
• and
• f) determining the presence of an HBV core protein speckle phenotype,
• wherein the presence of an HBV core protein speckle phenotype indicates that the test compound induces the formation of HBV aberrant viral capsid structures.