SARS-CoV-2 VLP production

The beginning of 2020 saw the outbreak of the COVID-19 caused by a new coronavirus, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2). A better understanding of this new virus and the development of ways to control its spread is imminent. In this study, we intend to test an already established VLP production platform using the baculovirus-based on gene expression system. Initially we propose to express 4 genes of the SARS Cov-2, the gene of the Nucleocapsid (N), Envelope (E), Spike (S) and Membrane (M) proteins, these being in 4 different bacmids. This provides us with the flexibility to test different MOIs, different combinations and even combinations with proteins from other CoVs, opening the possibility to search for universal VLPs for CoVs. In addition, it is our expectation to use epitopes of these same proteins for immunogenicity tests. VLP-SARS CoV-2 may be studied not only for the production of vaccines, but also for safe biological material for the production of diagnostic kits, the production of hyperimmune serums and other immunobiologicals. Thus, our studies may provide biological material that can help guide experimental efforts for the development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and other CoVs that exist or may arise in the future. (AU)