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Single Cell Micro-aspiration as an Alternative Strategy to Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting for Giant Virus Mixture Separation
Published on: October 27, 2019
Coronavirus diversity, phylogeny and interspecies jumping
Patrick C Y Woo1, Susanna K P Lau, Yi Huang
1State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Experimental Biology and Medicine (Maywood, N.J.)
|June 24, 2009
Summary
The SARS epidemic spurred coronavirus research, increasing sequenced genomes from 10 to 26 by 2008. Bats and birds host diverse coronaviruses, acting as reservoirs for zoonotic disease outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genomics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The 2003 SARS epidemic significantly increased research into coronavirus biodiversity and genomics.
- Prior to 2003, only 10 complete coronavirus genomes were available.
- By December 2008, the number of sequenced complete coronavirus genomes increased to 26.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the expansion of sequenced coronavirus genomes following the SARS epidemic.
- To identify the hosts and diversity of newly sequenced coronaviruses.
- To explore the genetic diversity and origins of coronaviruses, particularly in bats and birds.
Main Methods:
- Genome sequencing of coronaviruses from various hosts.
- Phylogenetic analysis to determine coronavirus relationships and subgroups.
- Comparative genomics to understand diversity drivers.
Main Results:
- Sixteen new complete coronavirus genomes were sequenced between 2003 and 2008.
- These included human, mammalian (notably bats), and avian coronaviruses.
- Two novel subgroups within group 2 (2c, 2d) and group 3 (3b, 3c) coronaviruses were proposed.
- Bats and birds exhibit the highest coronavirus diversity, serving as reservoirs for Group 1/2 and Group 3 coronaviruses, respectively.
- Observed relatedness between coronaviruses from disparate animal species suggests recent interspecies transmission.
Conclusions:
- Coronavirus diversity is driven by RNA-dependent RNA polymerase infidelity, homologous recombination, and large genomes.
- Bats and birds are crucial reservoirs for coronaviruses, with potential for zoonotic spillover.
- Increasing coronavirus diversity and interspecies jumping pose risks for future zoonotic disease outbreaks.
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