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Protocol for Recombinant RBD-based SARS Vaccines: Protein Preparation, Animal Vaccination and Neutralization Detection
Published on: May 2, 2011
Expression and Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 RBD Recovered from Inclusion Bodies in E. coli by Using Mild
Sudeepa Srichandan1, Jairam Meena2, Rahul Ahuja1,3,4
1Product Development Cell, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067 India.
Indian Journal of Microbiology
|May 19, 2026
Summary
Developing a tag-free protein antigen from SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) in E. coli offers a cost-effective vaccine solution. This thermally stable RBD shows promise for rapid, accessible vaccine production, especially for resource-limited settings.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Vaccinology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Next-generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccines will utilize protein antigens.
- Rapid, cost-effective, and scalable production of untagged proteins is crucial for global vaccine demand.
- Complex purification processes increase costs and limit vaccine accessibility, particularly in developing nations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a scalable and cost-effective method for producing SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) protein antigen.
- To characterize the structural stability and immunogenicity of the purified RBD.
- To assess the potential of this protein-based approach for overcoming vaccine shortages.
Main Methods:
- Expression of untagged SARS-CoV-2 RBD in an E. coli system, resulting in inclusion bodies.
- Purification using extensive washing and mild solubilization, avoiding multiple chromatographic steps.
- Formulation of purified RBD into polymer nanoparticles to enhance immunogenicity.
Main Results:
- Successfully expressed and purified SARS-CoV-2 RBD to homogeneity with a yield of approximately 40 mg/L.
- The purified RBD exhibited a predominantly beta-sheet structure and remained stable at 37°C for one month.
- Formulation into polymer nanoparticles demonstrated improved immunogenicity.
Conclusions:
- A thermally stable, tag-free SARS-CoV-2 RBD can be rapidly produced in E. coli at low cost.
- This method facilitates scalable vaccine production, addressing global shortages and improving access in resource-limited settings.
- The E. coli expression system provides a viable platform for developing accessible and effective protein-based vaccines.
