PSF COVID-19 collaborations

Since March 2020, the PSF has been heavily engaged in several efforts connected to COVID-19 and the SARS-CoV2 virus. In particular, we have teamed up with colleagues from different universities in various projects funded by KAW, administered by SciLifeLab national COVID-19 research programs.

As main applicant within the program Viral sequence evolution:

Analysis of essential genes and validity as drug targets

Tomas Nyman, Karolinska Institutet

PSF has cloned a set of plasmids expressing guidance-RNA for Cas13, targeting various genes of the SARS-CoV2 genome.

As co-applicant within the program Diagnostics for virus:

 iLACO-Sweden

Vicent Pelechano, Karolinska Institutet

PSF is producing necessary enzymes, DNA polymerases and reverse transcriptases (RT) for the amplification and detection of virus RNA. The aim is to be self-sufficient with enzyme needs.

As co-applicant within the program High-throughput and high-content serology:

Production of SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins in HEK293 cells

Juni Andréll, Stockholm University

PSF is collaborating with mammalian cell culture expression of various fragments of the CoV2 Spike protein (SARS-CoV2 gene S). Protein products are purified in the PSF lab.

Collaborating project within the program: Drug discovery and repurposing of drugs:

NEVERMORE COVID – Establishing a drug discovery platform for corona virus disease.

Kristian Sandberg, Uppsala University

PSF is producing the CoV2 major protease in active form (SARS-CoV2 gene nsp5), both with 6xHis-tag and without the 6xHis6-tag.

Collaborating project outside the SciLifeLab national COVID-19 research programs:

A collaborative effort with Johan Lennerstrand, Uppsala University. Production of CoV2 major protease for the testing of novel targeted inhibitors. Crystallization experiments aiming for x-ray structures of the protease in complex with the novel targeted inhibitors.