Covid-19 assays and studies
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covid-19 ASSAYS and studies
Efficacy assay (Immunostain)
– Efficacy assay using either Vero E6 or Calu-3 cells
– Looks at 50% effective concentration (EC50) of the drug against SARS-CoV-2.
Neutralization assays (PRNT, ELISA)
SARS-CoV-2 48hr neutralization assays for antibodies to determine reduction of plaques and viral measurements.
PRNT
– Plaques are visualized and counted using an ELISPOT instrument
– Plaque counts are fitted to a dose-response curve and plaque reduction neutralization test titers (PRNT) expressed in terms of conventional 50% PRNT end-point titers.
ELISA
– For each well, the inhibition of virus by neutralizing antibodies is calculated as the percentage of reduction of the absorbance value in respect of the virus control
– The neutralizing antibody titer is defined as the reciprocal dilution that caused 50% reduction of the absorbance value of the virus control (50% A450 reduction)
In vivo studies
Hamster model
– General clinical observations
– Body weight loss
– Viral load in nasal washes (TCID50 for live virus, SARS-CoV-2-specific RTqPCR)
– Tissue viral burden by TCID50 and/or RT-qPCR
– Histopathology of tissues, to be evaluated with standard H.E. staining
– Neutralizing antibody titer
– Cytokine expression by RT-qPCR
More about this model: IITRI COVID-19 hamster model
Transgenic mouse model
– General clinical observations
– Body weight loss, mortality
– Tissue viral burden by TCID50 and/or RT-qPCR neutralizing antibody titer
– Histopathology of tissues, to be evaluated with standard H.E. staining
– Cytokine expression by RT-qPCR and/or ELISA
Dose range-finding data for the hACE2- transgenic mouse model
More about this model: IITRI COVID-19 mouse model
Ferret model
– Favorable model for looking at effects solely in upper respiratory tract
– Infection model only, no clinical signs
– Viral load and shedding in nasal washes
– Viral load in nasal washes (TCID50 for live virus, SARS-CoV-2-specific RTqPCR)
– Tissue viral burden by TCID50 and/or RT-qPCR
– Histopathology of tissues, to be evaluated with standard H.E. staining
– Neutralizing antibody titer
– Cytokine expression by RT-qPCR (ELISA reagents for ferrets are very limited)
Read more about our ferret models: IITRI COVID-19 ferret model, IITRI influenza ferret model
IITRI has established itself as a leading COVID-19 CRO and due to the importance for this testing during the pandemic, has made provisions to turn these assays and studies around rapidly. Other related capabilities include a BSL-3/ABSL-3 aerobiology environment for inhaled drug challenge studies.
Contact us for more detailed information, to discuss with a PhD study director or request a cost estimate.
