CORONA - ViKon - Targeted elimination of SARS-CoV-2 by microparticle-based high-affinity Visrus binding conjugates; subproject 4: Microparticle-mediated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro.

The subproject applied for here is part of the joint project "Targeted elimination of SARS-CoV-2 by microparticle-based high-affinity virus-binding conjugates". In this subproject, libraries of virus-binding conjugates (VBK) will be investigated in vitro for their potential to inhibit cell entry and thus replication of SARS-CoV-2. These analyses require biological protection level 3 (BSL-3 laboratory), which is given at the Heinrich Pette Institute (HPI). In the present subproject, mainly a human lung cell line (Calu-3) will be used, which has been identified in preliminary studies as a very good in vitro model for SARS-CoV-2 infections. The planned inhibition assays will be optimized stepwise in a time- and dose-dependent manner to achieve an optimal inhibition of viral replication. Subsequently, the best candidates will be further validated and characterized in primary human lung cells. All necessary techniques to achieve these goals will be routinely performed in Prof. Gabriel's group at HPI. Thus, the final goal of this subproject is the identification, validation and characterization of one or more VBCs with maximal inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.