Potential applications of plant biotechnology against SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic has created an immediate massive demand for diagnostic reagents based on SARS-CoV-2 RNA/proteins and corresponding antibodies, placing immense strain on the supply and distribution chain. Transient expression in plants could address the shortage by achieving rapid, larger-scale production, complemented by longer-term higher-volume production in transgenic plants. The same technology used to produce diagnostic reagents could also be used to produce vaccine candidates (SARS-CoV-2 subunits and virus-like particles) as well as therapeutic antibodies and antiviral proteins. It will be necessary to pool the international resources of molecular farming research groups and industry to capitalize on expertise, although distributed production using local infrastructure is the key to reaching all parts of the world.