COVID-19 Assays

What are Coronaviruses?

Anatomy of a Killer: https://www.economist.com/briefing/2020/03/12/understanding-sars-cov-2-and-the-drugs-that-might-lessen-its-power

Coronaviruses are a large family of RNA viruses that are common in both humans and animals. They were first identified in the late 1960s and have been linked to a wide range of respiratory symptoms. They are named "corona" for their crown-like protein structures that appear to be spiked. Most human-type coronaviruses are not dangerous and cause only mild to moderate upper-respiratory infections like the common cold. However, there are a few that can cause more severe illnesses, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. The outbreaks of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003 and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) in 2103 were caused by two types of coronaviruses that were deadly. The SARS-CoV-2 (previously known as 2019-nCoV), which emerged in December 2019, is the latest strain to be identified. While COVID-19 can present with mild symptoms in some patients, it can be more aggressive in others and even life-threatening to older people and those with existing medical conditions.

Research on COVID-19

Scientists have sequenced the genome of SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) and have found that it shares a 79.5% sequence identity with SARS-CoV, the same SARS virus from 2003, and 96% of identity with a bat coronavirus. To cause infection, it connects to the cellular receptors of the host using its spike-like protein structures, then enters the host cells via an angiotensin-converting enzyme. Recent studies have suggested that SARS-CoV-2 may use the ACE-2 enzyme, the same cell entry receptor as other SARS-CoV types, including 6,9,10. While there is no known cure for COVID-19, researchers are currently working on establishing a vaccine, as well as other antiviral treatments to combat SARS-CoV-2. Most of the research to date has been aimed at targeting SARS-CoV-2 directly, or it's host cell components (receptors) that aid in viral replication. Growing evidence suggests that, being an RNA virus, RNA modifications such as m6A methylation may play a role in the function of SARS-CoV-2, and therefore could be beneficial as the subject of additional studies.

Supporting Coronavirus Research