Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. It has since spread to many countries around the world and become a pandemic.
Full-genome sequencing and phylogenic analysis indicated that SARS-CoV-2 is a betacoronavirus in the same subgenus as the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus (as well as several bat coronaviruses). The coronavirus genetically clusters with the genus Betacoronavirus, in subgenus Sarbecovirus (lineage B) together with two bat-derived strains. It is 96% identical at the whole genome level to other bat coronavirus samples (BatCov RaTG13).
The structure of the receptor-binding gene region is very similar to that of the SARS coronavirus, and the virus has been shown to use the same receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is most abundant in the type II alveolar cells of the lungs. The virus uses a special surface glycoprotein called a "spike" to connect to ACE2 and enter the host cell.
Fig.1 Illustration of SARS-CoV virion (from wiki)
Creative Biolabs is trying to help our customers respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we will timely update new products, new services and new resources to help you understand, diagnose and protect from COVID-19.
Creative Biolabs has developed a series of antibodies against coronavirus targets as tools for SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 research.
The SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Kit was developed for the qualitative detection of the novel coronavirus with real time PCR systems. The principle of RT-PCR kit is based on the fluorogenic 5'nuclease assay. During the PCR reaction, the DNA polymerase cleaves the probe at the 5' end when the probe hybridizes to the target DNA. Then the reporter dye separates from the quencher dye and generates fluorescent signal, which is monitored real-time by the PCR detection system. The signal intensities in real time allows the detection of the accumulating product without having to re-open the reaction tube after the amplification.
The Creative Biolabs SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG Rapid Kit is a lateral flow immunoassay which qualitatively detect IgG and IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in patient bodies, which have novel coronavirus disease COVID-19. The kit can be used for IgG and IgM detection in human serum, plasma or whole blood.
To help advance the diagnosis of COVID-19, a CRISPR-based SHERLOCK (Specific High Sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter UnLOCKing) technique was developed in which using synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragments (S gene and Orf1ab gene) to detect SARS-CoV-2 target sequences in a range from 20 and 200 aM (10-100 copies per microliter of input). The test works in just three steps starting with RNA purified from patient samples, as is used for qRT-PCR assays, and read out using a dipstick in less than an hour, without requiring elaborate instrumentation.
The Creative Biolabs ACE2 Activity Assay Kit is a one-step test for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) of SARS coronavirus, a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular and coronavirus-induced diseases. The principle of this kit is based on the ability of active ACE2 to cleave a synthetic MCA based peptide substrate to release a free fluorophore. The released fluorophore can be monitored by a fluorescence microplate reader.
The Creative Biolabs ACE2 Inhibitor Screening Kit can be used to screen for potent inhibitors of ACE2 activity which works much like ACE2 Activity Assay Kit. ACE2 enzyme loses its peptidase activity in the presence of an ACE2 specific inhibitor, which results in decrease of fluorescence intensity. This kit is simple and can be used for COVID-19 research.
If you have any other questions or requirements about SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19, please feel free to contact us.
