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.