We have commenced a large project to express both spike and nucleoprotein of COVID-19, and other coronaviruses - SARS, MERS, OC43, 229E, NL63, and HKU1.
The antigens will be provided to Burnet’s Global Health Diagnostics Development Group for development of a COVID-19 point-of-care (PoC) diagnostic.
Our lab will contribute to PoC test development by providing novel technology to alter antigen structure and enhance sensitivity of PoC tests that can be monitored by Biolayer interferometry.
The Viral Entry and Vaccines Group have extensive expertise in the expression of viral glycoprotein antigens, manipulation of protein sequences to enhance expression and alter folding characteristics and optimisation of purification methods to increase yield and purity.
Timeline
2020 -