The scientists want to create a basis for extensive research on the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.  The Technical University of Berlin, led by Prof. Jens Kurreck, Head of the Department of Applied Biochemistry, is one of the participants. His team is going to optimize a 3D lung model consisting of alveolar epithelial cells by integrating additional lung cells as well as immune cells.

Another subproject of the division deals with RNA interference: In Kurreck's lab, short pieces of RNA are produced that are able to attach to defined sites of the viral RNA in order to destroy them. The usefulness of the constructed RNA snippets will first be tested in two-dimensional reporter assays and later be used in the new lung models.

The Corona pilot project of the Berlin University Alliance (BUA) is funded with 1.8 million euros as part of the Grand Challenge Initiative. Prof. Rainer Haag of Freie Universität Berlin is coordinating the overall project.

Source:
https://idw-online.de/de/news751258