CRISPR/Cas13-mediated antiviral therapy against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants: a novel technology to target viral genome
Project leader: Prof. Dr. med. Elisabeth Zeisberg
Key area
- Antiviral strategies: agents and vaccines, antibodies
Who is involved?
- Prof. Dr. med. Elisabeth Zeisberg (Project leader, UMG)
- Prof. Dr. med. Michael Zeisberg (UMG)
- Prof. Dr. med. Gerd Hasenfuß (UMG)
- PD Dr. Xingbo Xu (UMG)
- Prof. Dr. Stefan Pöhlmann (DPZ)
- Prof. Dr. Rabea Hinkel (DPZ)
- Prof. Dr. Dr. Albert Osterhaus (TiHo)
What is the aim?
We have developed a CRISPR/Cas13 system consisting of CRISPR/Cas13 and various crRNAs directed against SARS-CoV-2, which destroys the viral genome and mRNA. Using adeno-associated viruses (AAV) as vehicles, the system leads to a more than 99% reduction in the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture. Within the framework of COFONI, the efficacy of different combinations of crRNAs against SARS-CoV-2 in the hamster model, the therapeutic time slot as well as the safety and effectiveness against other variants will now be investigated.