One of the challenges in respiratory research in general, and for COVID-19 related projects in particular, is to have access to relevant in vitro cell culture models. Human lung epithelium models are currently being tested as a platform for COVID-19 research and several cell types susceptible to SARS-CoV infection have already been identified. In this post, I’ll introduce lung primary cell models you may find useful, as well as other cell types that have been reported as involved in COVID-19 infections and the multiple severe associated syndromes.

We understand how crucial it is to have access to sustainable, quality sources of reagents when developing and/or producing the same immunoassays over long periods of times. Over the years, we’ve established partnerships with a number of experienced and renowned manufacturers, whose high-quality reagents we provide to researchers throughout the whole of Europe.

With the now global outbreak of the novel SARS-like coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV, COVID-19 virus), access to research tools has become critical to better understand the pathophysiology of the disease and develop specific and efficient novel therapeutics and prevention methods. Scientists identified the novel coronavirus as a group 2B CoV, distinct from the SARS-CoV. Genome sequencing indicated that SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) shares 79.5% sequence identity with SARS-CoV. It is therefore essential to assess SARS-CoV-2 specificity of research reagents. RayBiotech, distributed by tebu-bio in Europe, has made very special efforts to allow fast release of SARS-CoV-2 validated tools. This post introduces this new range of detection reagents, proteins and antibodies now available to boost COVID-19 research in Europe.

The cGAS-cGAMP-STING cell signalling pathway plays a critical role in antiviral and antitumor immunity as well as mediating autoimmune responses. Dysregulation or aberrant activation of the pathway by self-DNA has emerged as an underlying cause of tumorigenesis and autoimmune disorders. As the critical role of cyclic dinucleotides in pathophysiology continues to emerge, new tools to study these signaling pathways are being developed. This post introduces the latest ELISA released on the market.