EVALUATING AND PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19 AMONG LIVESTOCK

The overall objective of our Hatch project is to determine if livestock species are susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2, which cells are potential target of the virus, and if infection can be prevented/mitigated using drugs that block TMPRSS2, an enzyme required by the virus for infection. This project will be conducted with two specific goals which are. Objective #1: To determine which livestock species have both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 on cells of their respiratory and alimentary systems (these are the most likely routes of infection) and if viral pseudoparticles are able to infect relevant cells types. ?Objective #2: To determine the efficacy of a panel of TMPRSS2 inhibitors on viral pseudoparticle penetration of relevant cell types from various livestock species.