A short PowerPoint for those interested in learning more about the biology of SARS-CoV-2, how it is transmitted, and what are the current methods of detection. This PowerPoint also demonstrates how we can begin to teach about SARS-CoV-2 in our classrooms.

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COVID-19: Biology, Transmission, and Detection
Bio-Rad Laboratories
April 16, 2020

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Basic Biology of COVID-19
• Coronavirus
• Family of viruses that attack respiratory system in humans
• Often grouped into what is commonly called cold viruses
• Positive sense single stranded RNA genome of 29,891 nucleotides (1)
• 0.125 μm in diameter (2)
• Major Structural Proteins:
o Spike Glycoprotein (S-Protein)
o Interacts with ACE2 for entry into host cell
o Membrane protein (M-Protein)
o Viral assembly and membrane curvature
o Envelope protein (E-Protein)
o Assembly, budding, envelope formation
o Nucleocapsid protein (N-Protein)
o RNA-binding protein
o Hemagglutin-esterase (HE)
o Assists in the S-protein-mediated entry into host cells.

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ACE2
TMPRSS2
How does SARS-CoV-2 Infect Cells?

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Spike Protein
ACE2
TMPRSS2
How does SARS-CoV-2 Infect Cells?

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How does SARS-CoV-2 Infect Cells?

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How does SARS-CoV-2 Infect Cells?

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ACE2: A Double-Edged Sword

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COVID-19 Disease Transmission

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How do we Test for COVID-19?

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Step 1: Sample Collection
Throat Swab
oropharyngeal
Nasal
Mid-turbinate
Anterior nares
nasopharyngeal
Real-Time PCR

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Step 2: Preparing Sample for Detection
Get RNA from virus (RNA Extraction Kit)
Patient Sample
Lyse Bind Wash Elute
Sds
Proteinase K
Alcohol
+charged
surface
Alcohol Water
Or

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RT-rtPCR - 2-3 hours
Reverse Transcriptase - real time Polymerase Chain
Reaction
1) Convert RNA to DNA using Reverse Transcriptase

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Serology Testing
• Blood-based
Immunoassay Kits
• Tests blood, plasma
or serum samples
from patients to see
whether the body has
developed the
antibodies to fight the
virus.
• Can identify whether
an individual has been
exposed to Covid-19.
Image credit- shuttershock.com

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How do Serology Tests Work?
● Real-time PCR tests indicate the presence of viral
material during infection.
● Serology tests indicate whether a person was infected
and recovered.
There are 3 types of Serology Tests:
● Rapid diagnostic test (RDT):
 Qualitative. Similar to pregnancy test.
● Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA):
 Qualitative or quantitative. Uses a plate coated with viral
protein of interest.

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Serology Kits Coming Soon!
● Bio-Rad and many other Biotech companies are currently in
the process of developing a serology test to identify the
antibodies to Covid-19!
● These kits will allow further investigations into the outbreak
as well as Covid-19’s attack rate.
● These tests are key to understanding Covid-19 and getting
back to normal!