Biomimetic SARS-CoV-2 receptors as host cell models, diagnostic tools and for antiviral research

This project will exploit a new biomimetic approach (reversible self-assembled monolayers - rSAMs) to SARS-CoV-2 receptor design inspired by the multivalent interactions that engage viruses with their host cells. rSAMs feature mobile epitopes or ligands on planar or curved surfaces for optimal interactions with cells, viruses or their surface proteins.

We will here use this technology to address fundamental questions related to virus-host cell interactions as well as theranostic applications.

Receptors will be optimized to tightly bind SARS-CoV-2 and related mutants and used as host cell models in studies of virus adhesion, as inhibitors of spike protein adhesion to ACE2 expressing cell models and for developing antibody-free diagnostic and therapeutic solutions unique in being easily tunable to tight variant-specific virus binding.The project is led by Malmö University and involves Linköping University the Departments of Clinical Virology and Physical Chemistry at Lund University, the Skåne University Hospital and two companies, Diagonal Pharma AB and ArgusEye AB.Our aims are to develop:rSAMs for multivalent recognition of SARS-CoV-2 and mutants thereof.rSAMs as host cell models for studying a) the role of multivalent virus adhesion and membrane dynamics, b) the role of mixed glycan – ACE2 peptide ligands on host cell affinity and selectivity for the virus. c) blocking of virus adhesionSensors for antibody-free, sensitive, rapid in situ detection of viruses