Company Updates During the Coronavirus Pandemic Kerafast has continued to stay open during the coronavirus pandemic. While most of our company has been working remotely, our customer service, lab and logistics staff continue to prepare shipments of materials to our customers while following strict social distancing guidelines. Our priority is ensuring that our reagents are in the hands of researchers who need them, in particular our tools for COVID-19 research, including new recombinant coronavirus antibodies. Additionally, we are making efforts to assist those on the front lines. For example, we have donated to Off Their Plate, a non-profit organization that delivers meals for health care workers. We hope that you are staying safe as we all get through this difficult time together.
Delta-G-VSV Pseudotyping System for Coronavirus Research Dr. Michael Whitt has developed a “reverse genetics” system in which the glycoprotein of VSV has been deleted, allowing for the production of VSV pseudotypes containing the envelope glycoprotein of heterologous viruses. This Delta-G-VSV pseudotyping system has proven useful for identifying cellular receptors for viruses, screening for entry inhibitors, and evaluating neutralizing antibody responses following vaccination. Originally described in a 2010 methods article, the system enables viral research at just BSL-2 containment. Most recently, the system is being applied to study COVID-19 infection. You can learn more and find a full list of Delta-G-VSV pseudotyping system reagents here.
Featured Lab
Roy L. Silverstein, MD, Cornell University The Silverstein lab studies laboratory-based translational research on the molecular, cellular and genetic causes of common human vascular disorders including thrombosis, angiogenesis and atherosclerosis. The lab currently offers a Mouse CD36 [JC-63] Antibody through our reagents catalog, which was generated against recombinant adenovirus expressing mouse CD36. This antibody is suitable for IP, FC, IF and inhibition applications.
Absolute Antibody Wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise In late April, we were excited to see our sister company, Absolute Antibody, receive a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade for their rapid overseas sales growth over the past three years. The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are known as the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, recognizing and encouraging the outstanding achievements of innovative British companies. This award comes at a busy time when the company is contributing to the global fight against coronavirus, as noted in a Queen’s Award blog post. You can find the full announcement here.
