Effect of Inactivation Methods on SARS-CoV-2 Virion Protein and Structure

The risk posed by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus -2 (SARS-CoV-2) dictates that live-virus research is conducted in a biosafety level 3 (BSL3) facility. Working with SARS-CoV-2 at lower levels can expedite yet requires the virus to be fully inactivated. In this study, we validated and compared two protocols for inactivating SARS-CoV-2: heat treatment ultraviolet irradiation. methods were optimized render completely incapable of infection while limiting destructive effects inactivation. We observed 15 min incubation 65 °C inactivates high titer viral stocks. Complete inactivation was also achieved minimal amounts UV power (70,000 µJ/cm2), which 100-fold less than comparable studies. Once validated, then RNA quantification, virion purification, antibody detection assays. irradiation resulted 2-log reduction detectable genomes Protein yield following enrichment equivalent all conditions, but quality resulting proteins virions differentially impacted depending on method time. Here, outline strengths weaknesses each so investigators might choose one best meets their goals.