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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.06.01.128058

Minimal system for assembly of SARS-CoV-2 virus like particles

Swann, H.·Sharma, A.·Preece, B.·Peterson, A.·Eldredge, C.·Belnap, D.·Vershinin, M.·Saffarian, S.
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Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 virus is the causative agent of COVID-19. Here we demonstrate that non-infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus like particles (VLPs) can be assembled by co-expressing the viral proteins S, M and E in mammalian cells. The assembled SARS-CoV-2 VLPs possess S protein spikes on particle exterior, making them ideal for vaccine development. The particles range in shape from spherical to elongated with a characteristic size of 129 {+/-} 32 nm. We further show that SARS-CoV-2 VLPs dried in ambient conditions can retain their structural integrity upon repeated scans with Atomic Force Microscopy up to a peak force of 1 nN.

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Swann, H., Sharma, A., Preece, B., Peterson, A., Eldredge, C., Belnap, D., Vershinin, M., Saffarian, S.. 2020-06-01. Minimal system for assembly of SARS-CoV-2 virus like particles. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.01.128058

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