China has released genome sequencing data for the Coronavirus responsible for a recent outbreak in Beijing, with the WHO and the Global Influenza Data Initiative (GISAID).
About:
The Beijing genome data was based on three samples – two human and one environmental
According to preliminary genomic and epidemiological study results, the virus is from Europe, but it is different from the virus currently spreading in Europe.
It’s older than the virus currently spreading in Europe.
The first cluster of new coronavirus infections was traced to the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan.
Genetic Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 virus
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is primarily made of three important elements-
Spike proteins that help the virus bind to a living cell.
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) strands that start replicating inside a living cell
Fatty envelop that holds all the components together
The RNA strands can be thought of as a code that determines how the virus will behave. Coronaviruses have about 26,000 to 32,000 bases or RNA “letters” in their length.
The virus multiplies inside living organisms’ cells by creating copies for the RNA.
However, the process it uses to make these copies is not perfect and often introduces tiny errors in the sequence of ‘letters’.
These errors are known as mutations, which can introduce slight variations in the behavior of the virus.
China publishes genome sequencing data
Context:
China has released genome sequencing data for the Coronavirus responsible for a recent outbreak in Beijing, with the WHO and the Global Influenza Data Initiative (GISAID).
About:
Genetic Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 virus