Recombinant protein production in prokaryotic and eukaryotic heterologous hosts for serological assays for COVID-19

Leaver, Chad | $75,000

Ontario Seneca College 2020 NSERC College COVID-19 Grant


Kenota Health (formerly ExVivo Labs), Kitchener, ON, has developed a complete sample-to-result lateral flow

immunoassay testing system for point-of-care medical diagnostics. Kenota’s technology fully integrates blood

collection, purification and quantitative analyte analysis with an intuitive easy-to-use interface. Kenota has

designed IgG and IgM antibody tests that can determine COVID‑19 exposure in 10 minutes. Kenota plans to

collaborate with Seneca’s School of Biological Science and Applied Chemistry to develop processes and

procedures for manufacturing SARS-CoV-2 recombinant proteins. The proposed project will lower the cost of

testing and reduce the risk of delays in availability of tests. These serological assays are critical in determining

the incidence of a pathogen in a population. In future, the ability to identify sensitive and specific SARS-CoV-2

antibodies could support screening of health care workers, minimizing the risk of viral spread to colleagues and

other patients.

With funding from the Government of Canada

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