Drug targets
CZ-OPENSCREEN: Coronavirus sample testing and database
The National Infrastructure for Chemical Biology (CZ-OPENSCREEN), Czech node to EU-OPENSCREEN ERIC, hosted by the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, plans to test up to 1,000 samples per day. CZ-OPENSCREEN focuses on the identification of new molecular probes and tools for research and validation of compounds suitable for the development of new drugs. The team has also developed the internal database CORONAbase, to register samples and to transform all the appropriate personal data to an electronic version. CZ-OPENSCREEN is sharing the know-how of high-throughput workflow for RNA isolation and preparation of RT-qPCR reactions, as well as the CORONAbase, with other academic institutions involved in Covid-19 testing, in order to improve their testing services and standards.
LAPP: MUST data centre computational and storage capacities
The Particle Physics Laboratory of Annecy (LAPP), a joint research unit of CNRS and Savoie Mont-Blanc University, provides all the possible computational and storage support to the CNRS biologists with its MUST data centre, to contribute in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Exceptionally, LAPP will offer special access to its MUST data centre for important insights into the behaviour of the virus. The computing power of MUST will be used for in-silico screening to select from a database of several million molecules, those that meet very precise specifications and that could attack some major COVID-19 enzymes responsible for the replication of the virus RNA in the human host cell.
RECETOX: Virtual drug screening software
RECETOX RI supports the Government of Czechia in managing the pandemic outbreak of Covid-19 by analysing, interpreting and modelling the available population data needed for development of population-protecting strategies and IT tools. RECETOX RI is also fighting the pandemic outbreak of Covid-19 by the virtual screening. The in-house software tool CaverDock can be applied for virtual screening of potential drugs against protein targets identified in the context of coronavirus pandemic. CaverDock has been developed during the last four years and is publicly available via the website.
Instruct-ERIC: Priority access to structural biology services
Instruct-ERIC is offering priority access to its structural biology services for research directly related to COVID-19. Priority access ensures a faster review of research proposals relating to COVID-19. In order to protect staff and users, physical visits to Instruct Centres have been suspended but it may be possible to undertake research remotely during the restricted access period, subject to individual Centre availability. In addition, Instruct-ERIC has compiled a list of resources for COVID-19 research, which may be of interest to the wider life science community. For enquiries relating to Instruct-ERIC services during the restricted access period, please contact the support office.
CIISB: Priority access to structural biology services
CIISB (Czech Infrastructure for Integrative Structural Biology) offers priority access to research groups, which need to use the CIISB structural biology services for R&D projects directly related to the studies of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and projects aiming to develop an effective vaccine and/or treatment of Covid-19 disease. To request the priority access, please submit the research proposal with "COVID-19" in the title through the online application system. Successfully accepted proposals will be free of charge, and no financial contribution will be requested for the measurement and provided services.