COVID-19 Research Page

When the novel Coronavirus emerged worldwide in January 2020, scientists not only scrambled to develop tests but also to understand the biology of the disease. There was a lot they didn’t know. Scientists began tackling the problem with the tools and knowledge already on hand from studying other infectious diseases like Dengue, Zika, and Ebola. But SARS-CoV-2 proved challenging in ways current technologies were unable to address, limiting studies to extrapolations and inferences. It’s through innovation and technologies like the Creoptix^® WAVEsystem that advance discovery and understanding. The drive to know more, study every angle, and make every measurement. With the ability to measure fast transitions in undiluted crude samples, all within a disposable cartridge, the WAVE makes challenging studies possible.

With no-clog and disposable sensor chips, the WAVEsystem enables the robust characterization of kinetics on both small molecules and biologics. You can work safely and avoid cross-contamination between experiments, as well as be confident about your kinetic data and accelerate your vaccine research and development.

Diluted plasma for insights into covid-19 disease mechanisms

Kinetic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

In TechNote 12, in collaboration with Prof. Adriano Aguzzi (Professor for Neuropathology, University of Zurich), we show how the WAVEsystem enables the kinetic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to three specific antigens in diluted human plasma. The robust microfluidics of the system allow similar measurements at higher plasma (and serum) concentrations, thereby opening the door for antibody quantification without the need for dilution, which is often responsible for the perceived limited limit of detection of traditional label-free technologies, and orthogonal validation of ELISA data.

Cross-validation of ELISA data

Accelerated development of therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2

Synthetic single-domain antibodies (also known as nanobodies or Sybodies) could be key to the development of COVID-19 preventive treatments given their suitability for pulmonary delivery in the form of inhaled nanobody formulations. Using the WAVEsystem, the group of Prof. Markus Seeger at the University of Zurich recently identified six unique Sybody^® candidates with favorable binding affinity to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Read how Marks and his team obtained insightful inhibition assay data fast, while validating ELISA data.

Lateral-flow, diagnostics test development

Avoid the risk of antibody-based assay failure

The Creoptix WAVEsystem allows researchers to avoid the risk of antibody-based assay failure by providing robust evaluation of antibody pairs, ideal for lateral-flow test development. Profiling individual antibodies in both buffer and serum/plasma prior to assay development delivers improved understanding of antibody performance and stability to guide reagent selection for more reliable ELISA results. Profile the stability and performance of individual antibodies in a range of physiologically relevant media, while identifying the most effective antibody pairs.

Vaccine development

Virus-like particle present unique challenges

Virus-like particles (VLPs) represent an effective vaccine platform with potential to induce immune responses. A limitation of this approach is that the resultant size of these structures, combined with a tendency to aggregate, can cause microfluidics channels to clog. Impeded flow may lead to experimental delays and can also increase instrument maintenance costs, however the Creoptix^® WAVEsystem overcomes this issue by incorporating a unique, no-clog microfluidic design with high sensitivity.

“Understanding the dynamics of our detection reagents in complex matrices presents a big challenge when developing new assay platforms, particularly as we advance the limits of sensitivity with novel amplification technologies. The WAVEdelta system opens up new exciting opportunities for the project by giving us a real-time view of these interactions. The impressive detection range and versatility of the system will be a huge asset as the project progresses”