Virology Experience
SARS-CoV-2 Reporter Virus Particle Offerings for Neutralization Assays
Integral Molecular offers quality-controlled SARS-CoV-2 reporter virus particles (RVPs) that enable safe (BSL-2), easy, and high-throughput viral infectivity and neutralization assays using standard detection instrumentation. RVPs are designed to be antigenically identical to wild-type viruses but with a modified genome that expresses a convenient optical reporter gene (GFP or luciferase) upon cellular infection. To assess the breadth of neutralization, we offer SARS-CoV-2 (Wuhan-Hu-1 and D614G), SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV RVPs in addition to custom strains.
RVPs are available as validated, ready-to-use reagents that provide an efficient and safe (replication-incompetent) alternative to plaque assays. Dozens of commercial and academic laboratories use our RVP systems, for both R&D (e.g. for rapid testing of escape mutations and strain variants) and for serum sample testing (e.g. in vaccine clinical trials as critical reagents). As part of our commitment to supporting COVID-19 research, we are providing access to free SARS-CoV-2 RVP trial samples.
See application note Request a free sample
Epitope Mapping Coronavirus MAbs
Integral Molecular is the industry leader in high-throughput epitope mapping of anti-viral MAbs, having mapped over 1,000 viral epitopes. Our Shotgun Mutagenesis epitope mapping platform allows us to rapidly map neutralizing or non-neutralizing MAbs, even for conformational epitopes, at single-amino-acid resolution. These epitope maps help determine the mechanism of action for each MAb, identify best therapeutic candidates, design MAb cocktails, and define how vaccines and the natural human immune system can effectively neutralize the virus. Learn more about Shotgun Mutagenesis
MAb Specificity Testing and Identification of New Coronavirus Receptors
The Membrane Proteome Array (MPA) consists of 94% of the human membrane proteome (~6,000 proteins) in its native conformation, arrayed for binding or functional studies on live cells. The MPA is being actively used by over 100 different companies to test their therapeutic MAbs for specificity and safety prior to entering preclinical trials. The MPA has also been used to successfully identify new receptors and attachment factors for Dengue, Zika, Ebola, and Marburg viruses. Learn more about our Membrane Proteome Array
Vaccine and Protein Engineering SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein
High-throughput protein engineering is behind many of Integral Molecular’s technologies. Using live cell functional screening of mutation libraries (hundreds to thousands of point mutations and/or chimeras), we identify individual amino acids or regions important for viral envelope functions, such as expression, protein folding, trafficking, budding, infectivity, and immunogenicity. As a result, we have identified vaccine variants with improved characteristics for HIV, dengue, zika, HCV, and Ebola viral envelope proteins. Learn more about our experience with protein engineering
SARS-CoV-2 Reporter Virus Neutralization Assays Webinar
Frequently Asked Questions
RVPs
- SARS-CoV-2: Wuhan-Hu-1
- SARS-CoV-2: Wuhan-Hu-1 D614G
- SARS-CoV-1: Urbani
- MERS-CoV: HCoV-EMC
- GFP output is calculated as a percentage of infected cells and is easy to visualize. GFP detection requires a microscope, high-content imager, or flow cytometer.
- Luciferase is more sensitive, has a higher signal:background and is generally faster to detect. However, individual infected cells cannot be counted using this method. Luciferase detection requires the use of a consumable substrate and a luminometer to read plates.
