A coronavirus related to SARS-CoV-2 has been isolated from Malayan pangolins illegally imported into Guangdong province. It is not the precursor of SARS-CoV-2, but comparison of viral genome sequences provides further evidence that the virus currently infecting humans was not produced in a laboratory. There are two important sequences in the viral spike glycoprotein (pictured) …
Pangolins and the origin of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus Read More »
The spike glycoprotein of the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 contains a potential cleavage site for furin proteases. This observation has implications for the zoonotic origin of the virus and its epidemic spread in China. The membrane of coronaviruses harbors a trimeric transmembrane spike (S) glycoprotein (pictured) which is essential for entry of virus particles into the …
Furin cleavage site in the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus glycoprotein Read More »
In this week’s coverage of the coronavirus epidemic, the TWiV team discusses the fatality rate, China’s initial reaction to the outbreak, conspiracy theories, how long the virus remains infectious on surfaces, and evidence for virus in the intestinal tract. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 586 (72 MB .mp3, 119 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! …
The TWiVerers continue their coverage of the new coronavirus outbreak in China, as the number of cases increase dramatically and the virus begins person-to-person transmission in other countries. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 585 (71 MB .mp3, 118 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv
An unprecedented amount of information is emerging on the new coronavirus, provisionally called 2019-nCoV, that originated in China and is spreading globally. As of this writing there are 8,236 confirmed cases (8,124 in China) with 171 deaths (Click the link for real-time updates). What was the origin of the virus? The virus was first isolated …
Coronavirus expert Ralph Baric joins TWiV to explain the virology and epidemiology of the recent zoonotic outbreak spreading across China and overseas. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 584 (64 MB .mp3, 106 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv
