A genome is genetic material causing and regulating organisms, including single-cell life forms. Single-cell viruses including coronaviruses causing COVID-19 are continually changing, leading to alteration in their genomes. Virus genome sequencing enables scientists to trace this evolution, and learn more about particular viruses.
Virus Genome Sequencing Vital For Controlling COVID-19
UK Research and Innovation (link below) compares genomes to instruction manuals. That’s because they contain all the genetic information to generate an organism, and to sustain it. However, single cell genomes are less complex than human ones. They contain just 30,000 pieces of code, compared to 3 billion ones defining humans.
Coronavirus genomes of various types have similar sequences, but they do have unique markers. That’s how laboratories are able to distinguish between influenza and COVID-19, after performing virus genome sequencing .
However, and here’s the challenge, virus genomes change a few letters of their code each time they divide and spread. But scientists can compare those sequences, by genome analyzing test results. This in turn enables them to trace how a variant such as Omicron evolves, and even nail down the original source.
The Power Is in the Speed of the Process
The COVID-19 virus keeps spreading at blistering speed. That’s why ongoing random testing, and fast laboratory turnaround are essential. For if we do, then we can detect how various virus strains are spreading. And become more effective at managing them.
This process will in turn help our scientists determine how factors such as vaccination, lock downs, and travel influence spread. They will also be able to work out whether a surge is caused by multiple strains, or a single strain at different levels of evolution.
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