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Aim: to develop reliable rapid diagnostic tests for the infection that can be performed in a few minutes, anywhere and at any time, outside research laboratories; and serological tests to monitor the spread of the outbreak virtually in real time, helping with the implementation of mitigation measures.
The idea is to generate the following unique tools as quickly as possible:
recombinant SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein (N) and spike (S) antigens;
nano-antibodies targeting these two proteins.
These tools will be used to develop:
- serological tests for a serological survey of the exposed population, to help sort suspected cases and enable real-time monitoring of the spread of the outbreak;
- antigen detection tests that can be used for quick and effective sorting of suspected cases.
Neutralization of the virus with "anti-S" nanobodies will also provide direct options for clinical therapeutic development.