Insights into SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus underlying COVID-19: recent genomic data and the development of reverse genetics systems

Silva, S. J. R. d., Germano Mendes, R. P., Alves da Silva, C. T., Lorusso, A., Kohl, A. and Pena, L. (2020) Insights into SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus underlying COVID-19: recent genomic data and the development of reverse genetics systems. Journal of General Virology, 101(10), pp. 1021-1024. (doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001458) (PMID:32579100) (PMCID:PMC7660456)

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Abstract

The emergence and rapid worldwide spread of a novel pandemic of acute respiratory disease – eventually named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization (WHO) – across the human population has raised great concerns. It prompted a mobilization around the globe to study the underlying pathogen, a close relative of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Numerous genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 are now available and in-depth analyses are advancing. These will allow detailed characterization of sequence and protein functions, including comparative studies. Care should be taken when inferring function from sequence information alone, and reverse genetics systems can be used to unequivocally identify key features. For example, the molecular markers of virulence, host range and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 can be compared to those of related viruses in order to shed light on the biology of this emerging pathogen. Here, we summarize some recent insights from genomic studies and strategies for reverse genetics systems to generate recombinant viruses, which will be useful to investigate viral genome properties and evolution.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:SARS-CoV-2, reverse genetics, COVID-19, genomics.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Kohl, Professor Alain
Creator Roles:
Kohl, A.Conceptualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing, Visualization, Funding acquisition
Authors: Silva, S. J. R. d., Germano Mendes, R. P., Alves da Silva, C. T., Lorusso, A., Kohl, A., and Pena, L.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
Journal Name:Journal of General Virology
Publisher:Microbiology Society
ISSN:0022-1317
ISSN (Online):1465-2099
Published Online:24 June 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Authors
First Published:First published in Journal of General Virology 101(10): 1021-1024
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
656551Arbovirus interactions with arthropod hostsAlain KohlMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_12014/8MVLS III - CENTRE FOR VIRUS RESEARCH