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Recent Advances in COVID Research from our Suppliers

The spike protein of the coronavirus, which enables the coronavirus to bind to host cells, has been the key target for potential therapies, vaccines, and diagnostics. Recent advances in the imaging of SARS-Cov-2 spike protein have aided treatments and vaccination research efforts. The valuable findings from imaging the spike protein combined with subsequent preclinical research work have accelerated treatment effectiveness and vaccine efficacy evaluation. Recently, the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 has been known to undergo mutations and to investigate the biological significance of these mutations and changes, the research continues to understand the virus and the related mechanisms of infection.  

Soquelec is a proud partner of leading instrument manufacturers that make these groundbreaking advances possible. As the Canadian distributor of these manufacturers, we are immensely grateful and congratulate the tremendous efforts for pioneering research in this area. Check out the latest advances in covid research efforts involving our partners.

GATAN COVID Research

Cryo electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) has been one of the most important techniques for solving the 3D structures of viruses. The structures, conformations, and distributions of the SARS-Cov-2 spike protein has been studied with Gatan BioQuantum K3® system and solved with Latitude® S software since the SARS-Cov-2 was first detected. Cryo-EM structures allow optimization of virus-neutralizing antibodies as potential therapeutic agents against the COVID-19 virus. Scientists are using Gatan equipment to not only image but also study the binding of virus-neutralizing antibodies to the COVID-19 spike protein.

For the full gallery of the structure and antibody studies on SARS-Cov-2, please check out this link: COVID Research

Bruker microCT and COVID-19 Preclinical Research

In some of the first in vivo imaging experiments on COVID-19 hamster models, the research group led by Prof. Johan Neyts and Professor Greetje Vande Velde at KU Leuven moved fast to develop a Syrian hamster model for the disease to test the effectiveness of three potential COVID-19 treatments, evaluated by µCT. The study used the Bruker SkyScan 1278 to assess whether the antiviral favipiravir, the antimalarial hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), or HCQ combined with the antibiotic azithromycin, could mitigate the disease or prevent transmission.

The SkyScan 1278 is fast, low-dose and high resolution!  With many combinations of therapies and replicate animals needed, the SkyScan's fast scans allowed this research to move ahead quickly to publication. 

Please send us a request below if you would like to read the full paper: 

Spectral Instruments Imaging

Spectral Instruments Imaging combines in vivo imaging technology and a world class camera technology to advance pre-clinical imaging to reveal complex biological processes. Patented LED illumination means unrivaled sensitivity for bioluminescence, fluorescence and X-ray in vivo imaging and is the highest sensitivity system currently available. Check out how Spectral’s high throughput, high sensitivity and non-invasive in vivo systems can be used to study viral pathogenesis, as applied to SARS-CoV-2 and Drug Discovery in this webinar: Viral Pathogenesis & SARS-CoV2 Drug Discovery. 

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Soquelec in Canada is experienced with multiple imaging modalities such as electron microscopy, X-ray microCT and related sample preparation, and we are available to assist with your instrumentation needs. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email: sales@soquelec.com or phone: (514) 482-6427.