SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Read how cryo-EM can help understand its properties.
In the current global health crisis, many biological research laboratories around the world are turning their attention to investigating the COVID-19 virus. Understanding these virus proteins from observations of their 3D structure can help the design and development of a vaccine.
Of particular interest is the structure of the spike protein on the surface of the COVID-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2. This has been studied using cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM), with results published recently in Science by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin and the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Using high resolution cryo-EM, the authors reveal that the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike proteins are at least 10 times more tightly bound to their host cell receptor than those of the spike protein of the SARS virus (SARS-CoV). This correlates with the inability of SARS-CoV-2 to effectively bind to the SARS-CoV spike protein and provides insight into how the pathway for vaccine development must differ from previous coronavirus outbreaks.
The technique of cryo-EM enables the determination of 3D structures of proteins embedded in a very thin layer of vitrified ice using Single Particle Analysis (SPA) of a large number of particles in the cryo-electron microscope. Due to the significance of this powerful technique in biomedical research, it was awarded the 2017 Nobel prize.
At Linkam we have long understood the importance of the cryo-EM technique and are actively involved in the field with our current products and new developments. The Linkam CMS196M is a cryo-stage that enables pre-screening of vitrified cryo-samples mounted on EM-grids using optical microscopy (read more here). This is ideal for checking sample preparation quality prior to screening in the EM or to correlate optical fluorescence data with cryo-EM data – Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (CLEM).
Linkam has a number of other products for cryo-EM applications in development. These include a new, automated, robotic plunger for cryo sample preparation, using a novel suction technique to improve the repeatability and ease of use. This will make the whole sample prep workflow much more accessible. Sign up to our Newsletter to be kept up to date with these developments and our whole product range.
References
Wrapp, Daniel, et al. "Cryo-EM structure of the 2019-nCoV spike in the prefusion conformation." Science 367.6483 (2020): 1260-1263. DOI: 10.1126/science.abb2507
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