Ribonuclease resistant viral RNA standards

A method of assaying for the presence of an RNA of diagnostic value comprising:

• 1) obtaining a sample to be assayed;
• 2) obtaining an RNA detection and/or quantification standard comprising a recombinant nucleic acid encapsidated in bacteriophage viral coat protein, wherein the RNA detection and/or quantification standard is resistant to ribonuclease;
• 3) admixing the sample with the RNA detection and/or quantification standard;
• 4) isolating RNA from the admixure;
• and
• 5) assaying for the presence of the RNA of diagnostic value.

A method of making an RNA detection and/or quantification standard comprising a recombinant RNA segment encapsidated in bacteriophage viral Coat Protein, wherein said recombinant RNA segment comprises a bacteriophage sequence and a non-bacteriophage sequence, and wherein the RNA detection and/or quantification standard is resistant to ribonuclease, comprising:

• 1) obtaining a vector comprising a DNA sequence coding a recombinant RNA segment comprising a sequence coding an Operator and a non-bacteriophage sequence;
• 2) transfecting the vector into a cell;
• 3) obtaining a DNA segment coding a bacteriophage viral Coat Protein and transfecting the nucleic acid segment coding the bacteriophage viral Coat Protein into the cell;
• and
• 4) culturing the cell under conditions allowing for transcription of the recombinant RNA segment, expression of the bacteriophage viral Coat Protein, and encapsidation of the recombinant RNA segment in bacteriophage viral Coat Protein such that the RNA detection and/or quantification standard is resistant to ribonuclease.

A method of making an RNA detection and/or quantification standard in vivo comprising:

• 1) obtaining a vector comprising a DNA sequence coding a recombinant RNA sequence;
• 2) transfecting the vector into a cell;
• 3) obtaining a DNA segment coding a bacteriophage viral Coat Protein;
• 4) transfecting the DNA segment coding the bacteriophage viral Coat Protein into the cell;
• and
• 5) culturing the cell under conditions allowing for transcription of the recombinant RNA segment, expression of the bacteriophage viral Coat Protein, and encapsidation of the recombinant RNA segment in bacteriophage viral Coat Protein such that the encapsidated RNA is resistant to ribonuclease.