Design of different fragments of the SARS-CoV-2 spike surface protein for the development of rapid and vaccine tests

Our research group, in collaboration with researcher Dr. Edison Durigon of ICB USP, is developing a rapid test to detect COVID-19. For this, we have already managed to clone and express 4 fragments of the SARS-CoV-2 surface protein and have shown to be immonogenic against the serum of a human patient. For the production of the rapid test, proteins were produced on a large scale to inoculate in three animals (rat, rabbit and goat). We started inoculating three proteins in rats, goats and rabbits. The forecast is that in 21 days we will have enough serum to produce the first rapid tests. Due to the demand and urgency in the production of these fragments of the spike, I am coordinating a task force that also involves Prof. Shaker Chuck Farah to produce the 4 spike fragments in large quantities both to continue inoculation in animals and to do other tests. We have also ordered the synthesis of new oligos to build 4 more fragments of the virus's spike protein to try to obtain soluble proteins for vaccine development, this part of the project will be done in collaboration with Prof. Durigon and with Profa. Ana Marcia also from ICB USP. (AU)