Researchers at the University of Arizona, USA, observed that 81 characters disappeared in the genomes of the Corona virus, which could change its behavior and make it more or less virulent.
But the good indicator in the study is that a similar mutation occurred in the SARS virus years ago, and its ability to spread between humans has weakened.
The team succeeded in identifying the genetic makeup of the emerging corona virus, by analyzing swabs taken from some patients, which allowed them to identify about 30 thousand characters of its genetic code.
But by matching these new findings with a previously discovered genetic sequence of the virus itself, researchers have discovered that 81 genetic characters have “disappeared,” according to the American Medical Journal of Fireology.
These mutations are of great importance because they occurred for the SARS virus and reduced its ability to spread, said the assistant professor at the College of Life Sciences at Arizona State University and head of the research team, Ephrem Lim.
These mutations may help to better understand the emerging coronavirus, and may contribute to the development of drugs or vaccines against it, but more studies are needed.
Source:
Sky News
