Development of sensitive molecular viral assays to screen anti-SARS-CoV-2 formulations

The studentship provides an exciting and innovative collaboration between the University of Liverpool and Unilever to develop novel assays to monitor the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of newly developed products. Unilever are world leaders in developing personal care and household products which should preferentially incorporate components vital to health. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the necessity to specifically develop products with the capacity to neutralise or destroy SARS-CoV-2, the causative virus of the disease. New products would typically be tested using live replication competent virus and assays able to monitor reduction in virus infection and/or replication. At the University of Liverpool, we utilise pseudo-typed viral particles to monitor viral infection and interactions with cells. These non-replicative particles will enable development of assays that eliminate the requirement to test new products using replicative virus, thereby minimising laboratory CL3 capacity and cost. For translation to industrial high through-put screening of formulations this is essential. The aim of this project is to develop anti-SARS-CoV-2 assays using pseudo-typed viral particles, developing means of quantifying antiviral activity through use of fluorescently labelled viral particles or assays which are tagged with easily identifiable DNA/RNA molecular probes for monitoring their structural integrity or infectivity. Working with Unilever, the project then aims to develop a high throughput protocol to enable Unilever product formulations to be tested.

The project will provide the student with a complementary project allowing them to develop and hone their molecular skills towards developing a technology with translatable potential and in a subject area of immense and timely importance. The strong collaboration between the University of Liverpool and Unilever will enable the student to bridge the gap between basic academic science and translation to state-of-the-art technologies to monitor anti-viral products in an industrial setting. The main virus of study will be SARS-CoV-2 but the technologies will be applicable for monitoring other known viruses or emerging viruses of the future. The aim is to develop a fast and sensitive high-throughput assay for monitoring antiviral potential of product formulations. The student will gain invaluable experience not just in assay development but in understanding the numerous processes and undertakings in bringing a product to testing and development in a large-scale industrial company.

Informal enquiries and expressions of interest in applying may be made to: Professor Paxton: [Email Address Removed]