Development of a SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particle that performs as a direct cell entry reporter

We are developing a SARS-CoV-2 (CoV2) virus-like particle (VLP) entry assay that enables direct delivery of the beta-lactamase enzyme (Blac) into the target cell cytoplasm and detection of its activity using fluorescence microscopy. The CoV2 viral genome enters target cell cytoplasm for replication when the viral envelope fuses with target cell membranes, releasing its RNA. Assays relying on delivery of genetically encoded reporter proteins, such as pseudotyped viruses that deliver RNA encoding luciferase, require transcription and translation steps, preventing isolation of the fusion step of viral infection.