With everything going on in the world today, it’s no surprise that viruses are at the top of everyone’s mind. Not just SARS-CoV-2, but influenza and even HIV. Viral fusion proteins, such as HIV gp120 and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, are necessary for viral infection and are the targets of many therapeutic strategies. In fact, we’ve been featuring work in this area over the past several years. In a 2017 newsletter, we highlighted the crystal structures of the F protein from human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Last year, we focused on the Cryo-EM structures of the full-length influenza HA protein. And just last month, we highlighted the current structural work on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

To isolate and study these viral fusion proteins, many scientists turn to detergents, such as the commonly used Zwittergent 3-14 (which is chemically identical to our very own Anzergent 3-14 detergent). In influenza vaccine development, a standard assay to measure the potency of vaccines is the Single Radial Immunodiffusion (SRID) Assay. In this assay, Zwittergent 3-14 and/or its equivalent, Anzergent 3-14, is commonly used to solubilize virus particles and measure the amount of HA fusion protein in a vaccine sample.

Due to these applications, we’ve been seeing a tremendous demand for our Anzergent 3-14 detergent, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we’ve invested heavily in infrastructure and operational enhancements to significantly increase our production of this popular detergent. This is in addition to our development and production of RNA viral lysis buffer and viral transport media to further aid in the fight against COVID-19.