π
Some real talk:
It can be difficult to tell with certainty whether a random virus is engineered or not based purely on the sequence, but when we talk about a specific virus, e.g. SC2, we were 'lucky' that we can tell with high certainty it is a natural virus.
Why?
1/
Some real talk:
It can be difficult to tell with certainty whether a random virus is engineered or not based purely on the sequence, but when we talk about a specific virus, e.g. SC2, we were 'lucky' that we can tell with high certainty it is a natural virus.
Why?
1/
We were lucky in the sense that coronaviruses evolve through recombination (not only random mutations & selection).
That means their genomes consist of a patchwork of puzzle pieces assembled by crossings paths with other CoVs.
In SC2's case, we talking like 27 recombination pc
That means their genomes consist of a patchwork of puzzle pieces assembled by crossings paths with other CoVs.
In SC2's case, we talking like 27 recombination pc
Each piece comes with its own evolutionary history and can be mapped on a #phylogenetic family tree based on common ancestors & cousin viruses.
This allows researchers to figure out what "crossing events" lead to SC2 genome by sampling CoVs in the wild
academic.oup.com/gbe/article/14β¦
This allows researchers to figure out what "crossing events" lead to SC2 genome by sampling CoVs in the wild
academic.oup.com/gbe/article/14β¦
virological.org/t/the-comparatβ¦
Like this, they figured out that the SC2 got its final genomic shape rather recently, maybe just 3 years before it was introduced to the human population at the Huanan market.
Like this, they figured out that the SC2 got its final genomic shape rather recently, maybe just 3 years before it was introduced to the human population at the Huanan market.
As for the "engineering" question: the interesting thing about this natural recombination in the wild is that it not be faked in the lab. Period.
Now while this does not preclude all research-related scenarios, including leaking a natural virus or 'heating up' such a virus...
Now while this does not preclude all research-related scenarios, including leaking a natural virus or 'heating up' such a virus...
It makes clear that various advanced engineering scenarios over the years (like "swapping" out the RBD with one pre-adapted to humans) are just a pile of ignorant π© .
Same story for using a backbone like RaTG13 as 'template' or starting point. Ignorant stooge π©
Same story for using a backbone like RaTG13 as 'template' or starting point. Ignorant stooge π©
β’ β’ β’
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
γ
