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COVID-19 Research

The novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, that was first detected in Wuhan, China has been detected in more than 100 countries worldwide and the “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”) is resulting in havoc worldwide. It has not only caused fatality in huge numbers, but it has also resulted in economic losses globally. The development of a vaccine or a drug to combat COVID-19 is imperative.

Development of a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus, is complex and involves various steps:

Identification of the antigen and adaptability of the virus in cell culture.
Development of the recombinant vaccine.
Determination of the immunogenicity and safety of the vaccine candidate using animal models.
Early and late clinical studies.WPI offers solutions for many of these steps.

Developing Viral Cell Culture

The first and most important step of vaccine development involves growing the virus. Since viruses do not grow in artificial media, they must be grown in cell cultures. While the cell culture is developing, it is necessary to routinely monitor the differentiation status of the cell layers, look for confluence and formation of tight junctions. Transepithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) measurement using Epithelial Volt/Ohm Meter, EVOM2, has been the most reliable method to determine the health of an epithelial or endothelial monolayer in any cell culture study.1-4 The health of the cellular layer is determined based on the resistance and voltage across the cellular layers. High resistance across an epithelial layer indicates the presence of tight junctions and a confluent layer, whereas low resistance indicates a leaky epithelium.

The EVOM2 system, along with the electrodes, operates in two modes – Resistance and Voltage.

Fluid Handling Solutions

For creating the recombinant vaccine, dispensing and transferring fluids becomes essential. The UltraMicroPump with SMARTouchTM controller (UMP3T-1 or UMP3T-2) offers fluid handling solutions during the construction of the plasmids and the development of the recombinant vaccine.

WPI’s versatile microprocessor-controlled injector, UltraMicroPump, and sub-microliter injection system (NanoFil) ensure reproducible and precise delivery of microliter to nanoliter volumes with high efficiency. Together they have been widely used for transferring viral vectors and have become the standard practice.5-7

Features	Benefits
Accepts a wide variety of syringes from 0.5 µL to 1 mL	Highly versatile and capable of transferring fluids from nanoliter to microliter volumes. You can configure volume and flow rates.
Very low dead volume (0.5 µL or less)	Eliminates waste and makes the system highly efficient
Graphic display with SMARTouch™ touch screen controller	Rapid set up and "intelligent," automated, easy-to-use interface for controlling up to two UMP3 syringe pumps
Footswitch (Optional)	Operate with the foot, leaving the hand free for other operations

Animal Model Experiments

The development of human vaccines requires the use of animals for research. WPI also offers:

Super accurate Microprobe Thermometers – for single (BAT-12R) or multiple input (BAT-10R/LOP) for measuring temperature.
Single or high-throughput non-invasive blood pressure measurement systems for mice (II-MRBP-M) and for rats (II-MRBP-R) – accurately monitors, records, stores or exports real time systolic, diastolic, mean and heart rate.
Invasive monitoring system for arterial or venous blood pressure, force and temperature.
ECG monitoring system, CardioPhys ECG.
Surgical instruments such as forceps, scissors and more.
High level disinfectants and sterilization equipment

WPI offers a variety of laboratory equipment which is used by researchers who develop vaccines for virus like the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Give us a call today to talk with one of our technical specialists.

References

He J, Melnik LI, Komin A, Wiedman G,Fuselier T, Morris CF, Starr CG, Searson PC, Gallaher WR, Hristova K, Garry RF, Wimley WC.2017. Ebola virus delta peptide is a viroporin. J Virol 91: e00438-17. https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.00438-17
Sunil Kannanganat et. al. High doses of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor inhibit antibody responses in rectal secretions and diminish MVA/SIV vaccine protection in TRIM5α restrictive macaques. J Immunol. 2016 November 1; 197(9): 3586–3596. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1600629.
Yannick Simonin et. al. Zika virus induces strong inflammatory responses and impairs homeostasis and function of the human retinal pigment epithelium. EBioMedicine 39 (2019) 315-331
Bastian Schirmer et al. Mouse Colonic Epithelial Cells Functionally Express the Histamine H4 Receptor. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (2020)http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/jpet/early/2020/02/06/jpet.119.264408.full.pdf?with-ds=yes
Andrew I Brooks et. al. Reproducible and efficient murine CNS gene delivery using a microprocessor-controlled injector. J Neurosci Methods. 1998 Apr 30;80(2):137-47.
Lowery, R. L., Majewska, A. K. Intracranial Injection of Adeno-associated Viral Vectors. J. Vis. Exp. (45), e2140, doi:10.3791/2140 (2010).
Inquimbert, P., Moll, M., Kohno, T., Scholz, J. Stereotaxic Injection of a Viral Vector for Conditional Gene Manipulation in the Mouse Spinal Cord. J. Vis. Exp. (73), e50313, doi:10.3791/50313 (2013).