Image: Graphic showing the structure of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2's spike protein and its interaction with ACE2 receptors on human cells. (Courtesy of Sino Biological)

Culturing viruses such as the coronavirus for the purpose of developing a vaccine or antiviral drugs poses a safety threat to lab workers. Using just the subunits for your research can avoid potential harm to the people on the front line; those who are working tirelessly to prevent this virus from causing any more destruction.  

Sino Biological, a Chinese Biotech Firm, who have a US site in the state of Pennsylvania and a recently opened branch in Germany, has announced its vast portfolio of reagents, all made in-house, for vaccine, antiviral drug and diagnostic reagent development. The firm, which promotes themselves as a one-stop-shop for reagents, has a comprehensive list of SARS-CoV-2 genes, antibodies, recombinant proteins, lysate and an ELISA Antigen Detection Kit and are known for its recombinant protein 2019-nCoV Spike-RBD, which is used in research and therapeutic antibody development.  

Due to the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the global effort to create a cure for the virus, bulk orders for SARS-CoV-2 products are in the tens of thousands and so companies, although at full tilt, are declaring weeks of delays before delivery. It is worth noting, in this regard, that Sino Biological claim to hold the largest selection of virus-related products in the world.