COVITRAP

5th Joint Call: COVITRAP

The proposal aims to develop and implement a portfolio of scFv antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. COVITRAP will generate scFv-based diagnostic devices and scFv-polymer therapeutic scaffolds, enhancing virus detection and inhibition strategies against COVID-19.
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Background

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Current tests and treatments face limitations in sensitivity, specificity, and adaptability to viral mutations.

Single-chain variable fragment antibodies (scFvs) offer advantages due to their stability, modularity, and ability to target specific viral epitopes. By immobilizing scFvs in diagnostic devices and embedding them in polymeric scaffolds, it becomes possible to combine precise detection with therapeutic inhibition. Cryo-EM and surface plasmon resonance studies further strengthen the ability to select optimal antibody variants.

The project

COVITRAP pursues the following objectives:

  • Develop a diagnostic tool with scFvs immobilized on glass-based microdevices, integrated with DLS and spectrophotometry detection systems.
  • Optimize scFv portfolios through epitope screening and structural analysis, ensuring coverage of diverse viral binding sites.
  • Design scFv-polymer therapeutics using site-specific functionalization for multivalent virus binding and inhibition.
  • Validate antibodies and scaffolds in BSL-3 laboratories with clinical SARS-CoV-2 isolates.
  • Establish a translational pipeline from scFv discovery to diagnostic prototypes and therapeutic candidates.

The science

The consortium integrates expertise in microengineering, polymer chemistry, and infection biology:

  • Ghent University (Belgium): Development of diagnostic microsystems with optical detection.
  • Fraunhofer IAP (Germany): Protein–polymer conjugation, scFv immobilization, and therapeutic scaffold design.
  • Universitas Padjadjaran (Indonesia): BSL-3 laboratory validation of scFv antibodies and therapeutic candidates against SARS-CoV-2 isolates.

The team

The COVITRAP partners are:

  • Prof. Dr. Jeroen Missinne (Coordinator), Ghent University (UGent), Belgium
  • Dr. Ulrich Glebe, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP), Germany
  • Dr. Atik Nur, Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD), Indonesia

 

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Jeroen Missinne                        Email: jeroen.missinne@ugent.be 

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INFECTIOUS DISEASES