Tools for SARS-CoV-2 Research
The 2019 novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused an outbreak of the respiratory illness COVID-19 that started in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has now spread throughout the world to many different countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global health emergency to gather resources and remedy this threat.
To support SARS-CoV-2 research, we have listed the relevant products (research use only) offered by BioCat below.
This product listing is updated and extended regularly. If you cannot find the product you are looking for, please contact our scientific support team, who will be able to help you.
- Gene Synthesis Service
- Swab and Saliva Sample Collection & Preservation
- Isolation of Virus RNA from Respiratory Specimens
- SARS-CoV-2 Detection by Real-Time RT-PCR
- SARS-CoV-2 NGS Panels for Targeted Sequencing
- SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant Proteins
- SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies
- SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG Antibody Detection using Lateral Flow Immunoassays
- SARS-CoV-2 Protein & Antibody Detection by ELISA
- SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG Antibody Detection using Peptide Microarrays
- SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitor Screening
- Blood Products from Convalescent COVID-19 Donors
- TargetMol Anti-COVID-19 Compound Libraries
- Antiviral Agents for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Research
- RayBio Inflammation Cytokine Arrays & ELISA Kits
- SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-Pseudotyped Lentivirus
Gene Synthesis Service
Our partner General Biosystems can synthesize genes of any length and complexity to suit your needs.
Send us your synthesis request
- Genes up to 15,000 bp in length
- 100% sequence accuracy guarantee
- Free codon optimization
- Free cloning into many standard vectors
- Short turnaround time
- Plasmid purification service
- Cost-saving mutagenesis service
- Gene fragment synthesis service
Swab and Saliva Sample Collection & Preservation
For the safe collection, transport and preservation of respiratory samples, the Norgen Swab Collection & Nucleic Acid Preservation Tubes and the Norgen Saliva RNA Collection and Preservation Devices are provided. The preservative solution included will: (1) inactivate and lyse the virus within less than 2 min, thus preventing COVID-19 transmission and enabling safe shipping and handling to core laboratory facilities; and (2) preserve SARS-CoV-2 RNA for up to two months at room temperature, enabling reliable and accurate COVID-19 detection.
| Description | Cat# | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swab Collection & Nucleic Acid Preservation Tubes | 69200-NB | 50 rxns | 387.00 € |
| Swab Collection & Nucleic Acid Preservation Tubes - CE-marked (for IVD) | Dx69200-NB | 50 tubes | 410.00 € |
| Saliva RNA Collection and Preservation Devices | RU53800-NB | 50 devices | 665.00 € |
| Saliva RNA Collection & Preservation Devices - CE-marked (for IVD) | 53800-NB | 50 devices | 730.00 € |
Isolation of Virus RNA from Respiratory Specimens
Accurate diagnosis of COVID-2019 infection is through the use of real-time RT-PCR assays for the in vitro qualitative detection of the virus in respiratory specimens and sera. To isolate the preserved RNA from these samples, high-quality Total RNA Purification Kits developed by our partners Biochain, Bioline, BioVision, Epigentek and Norgen are offered.
| Description | Cat# | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saliva/Swab RNA Purification Kit, column format | 69100-NB | 50 rxns | 343.00 € |
| Saliva/Swab RNA Purification Kit, column format- CE-marked (for IVD) | Dx69100-NB | 50 rxns | 376.00 € |
| Total RNA Purification Kit for cultured animal cells, tissue samples, blood, plasma, serum, saliva, bacteria, yeast, fungi, plants and viruses | 17200-NB | 50 preps | 314.00 € |
| Total RNA Purification Kit for cultured animal cells, tissue samples, blood, plasma, serum, saliva, bacteria, yeast, fungi, plants and viruses - CE-marked (for IVD) | Dx17200-NB | 50 preps | 328.00 € |
| Total RNA Purification Kit for cultured animal cells, tissue samples, blood, plasma, serum, saliva, bacteria, yeast, fungi, plants and viruses | 37500-NB | 100 preps | 558.00 € |
| Total RNA Purification Kit (96-well column chromatography) for mammalian cells and tissue, blood, plasma / serum, bacteria, yeast, fungi, plants, and viruses | 24370-NB | 6 plates/ 576 preps | 2341.00 € |
| Total RNA Purification Kit (96-well column chromatography, deep-well-format) for mammalian cells and tissue, blood, plasma / serum, bacteria, yeast, fungi, plants, and viruses | 24350-NB | 2 plates/ 192 preps | 885.00 € |
| Total RNA Purification Kit (96-well column chromatography, deep-well-format) for mammalian cells and tissue, blood, plasma / serum, bacteria, yeast, fungi, plants, and viruses | 24380-NB | 6 plates/ 576 preps | 2341.00 € |
| EpiQuik Viral RNA Isolation Fast Kit | P-9107-050-EP | 50 rxns | 238.00 € |
| EpiMag Viral RNA Isolation Kit | P-9108-050-EP | 50 rxns | 164.00 € |
| EpiMag 96-Well Viral RNA Extraction Kit (High Throughput) | P-9109-96-EP | 96 rxns | 337.00 € |
| Viral RNA Extraction Kit for Respiratory Specimens | K1462-50-BV | 50 rxns | 439.00 € |
| vamPure Viral Nucleic Acid Extraction Kit for Swab Samples (magnetic bead-based, automatization-friendly) | K5011820-BC | 100 rxns | 319.00 € |
| ISOLATE II RNA Micro Kit, 50 Preps | BIO-52075-BL | 50 preps | 396.00 € |
| ISOLATE II RNA Mini Kit, 50 Preps | BIO-52072-BL | 50 preps | 249.00 € |
SARS-CoV-2 Detection by Real-Time RT-PCR
Real-Time RT-PCR technology is used for the specific identification and differentiation of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in respiratory samples from patients with signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection. RNA is extracted from respiratory specimens (suitable Total RNA Isolation Kits, see above), amplified by real-time RT-PCR and detected using fluorescent reporter dye probes specific for SARS-CoV-2. BioCat offers CE-IVD kits for the complete real-time RT-PCR-based COVID-19 detection workflow.
Several real-time RT-PCR assays (research use only) developed by our partners ABM, BioVision, GeneCopoeia, LGC Biosearch, Norgen and RayBio are provided. The assays are designed for specifically detecting SARS-CoV-2 gene targets, such as ORF1ab or N (recommended by WHO and US CDC). For details, please see individual products below.
| Description | Cat# | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 TaqMan RT-PCR Kit (E/RdRP genes- Charite/Berlin protocol) | TM67240-NB | 40 rxns | 265.00 € |
| COVID-19 TaqMan RT-PCR Kit (E/RdRP genes- Charite/Berlin protocol) | TM67200-NB | 500 rxns | 3015.00 € |
| COVID-19 TaqMan RT-PCR Kit (E/RdRP genes- Charite/Berlin protocol) - CE-marked (for IVD) | DxTM67200-NB | 500 rxns | 3236.00 € |
| 2019-nCoV TaqMan RT-PCR Kit (N1/N2/RnaseP- CDC protocol) | TM67100-NB | 50 rxns | 326.00 € |
| 2019-nCoV TaqMan RT-PCR Kit (N1/N2/RnaseP- CDC protocol) | TM67120-NB | 500 rxns | 3015.00 € |
| 2019-nCoV TaqMan RT-PCR Kit (N1/N2/RnaseP- CDC protocol) - CE-marked (for IVD) | DxTM67100-NB | 50 rxns | 348.00 € |
| 2019-nCoV Primer & Probe Mixes | TM67101-NB | 50 rxns | 137.00 € |
| 2019-nCoV RT-PCR Positive Control | PC67102-NB | 50 ul | 137.00 € |
| 2019-nCoV CDC-qualified Probe and Primer Kits for SARS-CoV-2 | KIT-NCOV-PP1-1000-BS | 1000 rxns | 415.00 € |
| BlazeTaq Probe One-Step SARS- CoV-2 Detection Kit with ROX dye (20ul x 200rxns) | QP201-GC | 200 rxns | 967.00 € |
| BlazeTaq Probe One-Step SARS- CoV-2 Detection Kit with ROX dye (20ul x 1000rxns) | QP202-GC | 1000 rxns | 3350.00 € |
| BlazeTaq Probe One-Step SARS- CoV-2 Detection Kit without ROX dye (20ul x 200rxns) | QP203-GC | 200 rxns | 967.00 € |
| BlazeTaq Probe One-Step SARS- CoV-2 Detection Kit without ROX dye (20ul x 1000rxns) | QP204-GC | 1000 rxns | 3350.00 € |
| GenomeCoV19 Detection Kit, upgraded Version - CE-marked (for IVD) | G628.v2-ABM | 100 rxns | 326.00 € |
| GenomeCoV19 Detection Kit - CE-marked (for IVD) | G628-ABM | 100 rxns | 326.00 € |
| Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Real Time RT-PCR Nucleic Acid Detection Kit | PCR-COV-RB | 20 tests | 525.00 € |
| Coronavirus Rapid RT-qPCR Detection Kit | K1461-100-BV | 100 Reactions | 597.00 € |
In addition, the COVID-19 Rapid Isothermal PCR Kit utilizing reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), which amplifies SARS-CoV-2 RNA without the need for thermal cycling, is offered.
For high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 detection, we provide the Sanger sequencing-based, RNA extraction-free qSanger-COVID-19 Reagent Sample Kit (Swift Biosciences/BillionToOne).
SARS-CoV-2 NGS Panels for Targeted Sequencing
SARS-CoV-2 Additional Genome Coverage Amplicon Panel (SNAP)
The Swift SARS-CoV-2 Additional Genome Coverage Amplicon Panel uses overlapping primers to generate 345 amplicons, sized 116-255 bp (average 150 bp), along the length of the 29.9 kb viral genome resulting in 99.7% coverage of the genome and ensuring that novel SARS-CoV-2 variants are detected by NGS, even when the mutation is a dropout of genomic sequence.
- 99.7% genomic coverage
- Improved coverage uniformity
- Detect subgenomic RNAs
- Obtain genomes from viral titers as low as 10-100 viral copies
- cDNA-to-sequencer in 3 hours
Swift SARS-CoV-2 S Gene Amplicon Panel (SNAP)
The Swift Normalase Amplicon SARS-CoV-2 S GENE Panel (SNAP) is designed for researchers who are targeting the S Gene to determine novel strains and the consequences of infectivity and transmissibility.
- 100% coverage of the S Gene from limited viral titers
- SARS-CoV-2 genomics coordinates covered: 21497-25421
- Designed for targeted pathogen sequencing to enable variant detection
- Robust yields from low input samples using PCR1+PCR2 workflow
- Supports various high-throughput library quantification methods
myBaits Expert Virus SARS-CoV-2 Panel
The myBaits Expert Virus SARS-CoV-2 Panel is designed for NGS target enrichment of the whole genome of 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for COVID-19 disease and is based on all full and partial genome sequences available in the NCBI database as of January 31, 2020. The design of the probes (biotinylated RNA “baits”) is compatible with enriching both long and short NGS library molecules (even from degraded targets).
- Convenient – Use the same NGS library preparation or protocol for shotgun sequencing
- Open Platform – Compatible with any NGS library platform, including long-read sequencing
- Complete Solution – Kits include all necessary reagents to perform enrichment of NGS libraries
SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant Proteins
SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped positive-strand RNA virus that consists of four structural proteins: spike (S) protein, envelope (E) protein, membrane (M) protein and nucleocapsid (N) protein. The spike protein is the most important surface protein of coronavirus. It mediates the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into human respiratory epithelial cells by interacting with the cell surface receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).
BioCat provides a large selection of recombinant proteins for SARS-CoV-2 research including spike protein, spike protein mutants, nucleocapsid protein and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, see link below.
SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant Proteins
SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies
In response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, our partners BioVision, ProSci and RayBio have developed a comprehensive selection of antibodies including polyclonal, monoclonal and single domain antibodies for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 structural and non-structural proteins. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein, envelope protein as well as spike protein and its subunits spike S1, spike S1 RBD (receptor binding domain), spike S2 and spike ECD (extracellular domain) are offered, see link below.
SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG Antibody Detection using Lateral Flow Immunoassays
Our partners ABM, BioVision, Epigentek and RayBio have developed colloidal gold-based lateral flow immunoassays for the fast detection of IgM or IgG antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) proteins in human serum, plasma, whole blood or finger prick samples.
SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG Antibody Detection Kits
- Fast lateral flow device-based detection of IgM or IgG antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 proteins
- No sample preparation or instruments necessary
- Direct detection from plasma, serum, whole blood or fingertip blood
- Qualitative results within 10 minutes
SARS-CoV-2 Protein & Antibody Detection by ELISA
Current testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus is limited, and compared to RT-qPCR, ELISA is a less complex procedure that uses more affordable and available equipment. Similarly, antigens and antibodies are considerably more stable than RNA, which reduces the potential of false-negative results. The ability to collect samples from many places in the body (and not restricted to nasal swabs) improves testing accuracy as well. For the measurement of human IgG, IgM or IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 N-protein or SARS-CoV-2 S-protein (S1 RBD) in human serum, plasma, saliva or dried blood samples, we offer indirect ELISAs. In addition, sandwich-based ELISAs measuring SARS-CoV-2 antigens like S- or N-protein are provided.
SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG Antibody Detection using Peptide Microarrays
In light of the recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, our partner RayBio has developed a peptide microarray based on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. It is designed for the semi-quantitative detection of IgM and IgG antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein in serum or plasma.
RayBio COVID-19 Spike Protein Array
SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitor Screening
With no evidence yet for effective COVID-19 treatments, there is an urgent need for the development of SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors, including vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and small molecular compounds.
The SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor screening and spike/ACE2 binding assay kits are based on the interaction between ACE2 protein and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBD. ELISA-like kits for the detection of SARS-CoV-2-targeted furin activity are also available. These assays are designed to facilitate the identification and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.
SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitor Screening
Blood Products from Convalescent COVID-19 Donors
Convalescent plasma therapy is an experimental treatment being used for people with severe COVID-19. To support the related research activities, our partner ZenBio can provide blood products like plasma or Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) collected from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 infection. The evidence of COVID-19 has been documented by a laboratory test, either a diagnostic test (e.g., nasopharyngeal swab) at the time of illness or a positive serological test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after recovery.
TargetMol Anti-COVID-19 Compound Libraries
In order to respond to the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV), researchers are working hard to identify drug candidates that can be used for clinical therapy for patients with SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) infected pneumonia by screening compound libraries. Our partner TargetMol, a drug screening expert, has generated a compound library by carefully selecting 2448 compounds that have been demonstrated to have anti-coronavirus activity including broad-spectrum antiviral agents like Remdesivir, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Chloroquine diphosphate (combination use with Remdesivir), Polydatin (bind with Mpro), etc., see below. This library will be updated in response to the latest research progress.
Anti-COVID-19 Compound Library
- Unique collection of 2448 compounds with anti-coronavirus activity, part of them are broad-spectrum antiviral agents
- Detailed compound information including structure, target and biological activity
- Validated by NMR and HPLC to ensure high purity and quality
Anti-COVID-19 Compound Libraries developed applying Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD)
The Anti-COVID-19 Compound Library (CADD), 364 compounds, comprises compounds having the potential of anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. It can be used for high-throughput screening and high-content screening. Targets include viral papain like protease (PLpro), main protease (3CLpro, also named 3-chymotrypsin-like protease), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), nsp16 (2′-O-methyltransferase, helicase), RBD of spike as well as human ACE2.
In addition, TargetMol has developed Anti-COVID-19 Compound Libraries (CADD) targeting individual SARS-CoV-2 key proteins like spike-RBD, ACE2, Mpro (3CLpro), PLpro, nsp15, nsp16, X domain and RdRp (nsp12) .
Antiviral Agents for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Research
Based on virtual screening results and combined with the recent clinical reports, our partner TargetMol has obtained some valuable potential drugs for SARS-CoV-2, which can reduce the drug development cycle by using drug relocation strategy. Promising antiviral agents include Darunavir, Remdesivir, Camostat mesilate, Baricitinib, Favipiravir, Ribavirin, Chloroquine diphosphate and Nitazoxanide.
RayBio Inflammation Cytokine Arrays & ELISA Kits
During infection of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, high levels of inflammatory cytokines have been reported. These cytokines include interferons, interleukins, chemokines, colony-stimulating factors, and tumor necrosis factors and contribute to the symptoms of coronavirus infection: redness, swelling/edema, fever, and pain. Overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines can result in a “cytokine storm,” during which inflammation spreads throughout the body via the circulation. One common consequence of a cytokine storm is acute lung injury, which can progress to a more severe form called acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Using quantitative inflammation antibody arrays developed by our partner RayBio, the dynamic relationship of cytokines during inflammation can be measured.
- Quantibody Human Inflammation Array 1 (10 antibodies)
- Quantibody Human Inflammation Array 3 (40 antibodies)
- Quantibody Human Cytokine TH1/TH2 Array I (10 antibodies)
Specific inflammatory proteins can be measured with RayBio ELISA kits. Below are some of the featured ELISA kits to help study COVID-19 inflammation:
- Human IL-6 ELISA
- Human IL-10 ELISA
- Human IFN-γ ELISA
- Human M-CSF ELISA
- Human MIP-1α ELISA
- Human TGFβ1 ELISA
- Human TIMP-1 ELISA
- Human TNFα ELISA
If the ELISA kit you are looking for is not listed here, e.g. ACE2 ELISA Kits, please use our ELISA Search Tool
SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-Pseudotyped Lentivirus
SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-pseudotyped lentivirus products generate a specially-packaged variant of standard lentivirus, whereby the commonly used vesicular stomatitis G (VSV-G) envelope glycoprotein is replaced by the Spike (S) protein or Spike protein mutants like N501Y or D614G from SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resulting lentiviral particles can be used in vitro to infect cultured cells expressing human host factors like ACE2, the receptor for SARS-CoV-2 in multiple tissue types, or in vivo in animal models.
Spike-Pseudotyped Lentivirus Products
- Premade lentiviral particles pseudotyped with full-length Spike protein, truncated Spike protein or Spike protein mutants from SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV or MERS-CoV Coming soon: UK B.1.1.7 & D614G, South African B.1.351 & D614G, Brazil B.1.1.28.1
- Pseudotyped lentiviral particle kits including SARS-CoV-2 Spike-pseudotyped lentiviral particles, VSV-G-pseudotyped lentiviral particles, negative control and ACE2-expressing cells
- Pseudotype lentivector packaging kits designed to package your lentivector of choice into SARS-CoV-2 Spike-pseudotyped lentiviral particles Available Spike variants: Full-length Spike, truncated Spike, Spike (D416G), Spike (N501Y), B.1.351 (S. African) Variant - RBD Mutations, B.1.351 (S. African) Variant - S1 Mutations (RBD+D614G), SARS-CoV Spike or MERS-CoV Spike
SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) Background
There are four coronavirus genera [ii]: alphacoronavirus, betacoronavirus, gammacoronavirus, and deltacoronavirus. SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) belongs to the Betacoronavirus genus originating from bats. Betacoronaviruses can infect mammals, are zoonotic pathogens, and can cause severe respiratory disease in humans. Other viruses in this family are SARS coronavirus and MERS coronavirus. SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) has approximately 79% sequence identity to SARS-CoV and 50% to MERS-CoV [iii]. In addition, homology modeling shows SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) has a similar receptor-binding domain structure as SARS-CoV which suggests SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) may use ACE2 as a receptor in humans for infection.
SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) Structure
The structure [iv] of SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) consists of the following: a spike protein (S), hemagglutinin-esterease dimer (HE), a membrane glycoprotein (M), an envelope protein (E) a nucleocapsid protein (N) and RNA as seen in the figure.
References
Zhou, P. et al. A pneumonia outbreak associated with a new coronavirus of probable bat origin. Nature 2020 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2012-7
[ii] Fan, Y.; Zhao, K.; Shi, Z.-L.; Zhou, P. Bat Coronaviruses in China. Viruses 2019, 11, 210. https://doi.org/10.3390/v11030210
[iii] Lu R, Zhao X, Li J, et al. Genomic characterization and epidemiology of 2019 novel coronavirus: implications for virus origins and receptor binding. The Lancet. Published online January 29, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30251-8
[iv] Fehr AR, Perlman S. Coronaviruses: an overview of their replication and pathogenesis. Methods Mol Biol. 2015;1282:1–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2438-7_1
