Pseudotyped Virus-Based Neutralization Assay against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

Pseudotyped viruses are useful virological tools due to their safety and versatility. Based on the pseudotyped virus production systems of lentivirus and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), pseudotyped virus neutralization assays against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been studied in biosafety level 2 facilities. Our aim is to develop pseudotyped virus-based neutralization assays for the evaluation of inhibition potency of the convalescent human plasma samples. To achieve this goal, we will produce and determine the titration of the SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotyped virus and apply the neutralization assay on patient sera. The PURE intern will be trained in general cell culture techniques, as well as molecular cloning techniques to generate spike variants including Omicron, Alpha, Beta, and Delta. Therefore, the intern will have the opportunity to learn tissue culture and cloning techniques.