Viral genomics – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation

The prevention of future pandemics requires examining viral family trees. Stockcrafter/iStock via Getty Images Plus

June 7, 2021

How virus detectives trace the origins of an outbreak – and why it’s so tricky

Marilyn J. Roossinck, Penn State

Bat hosts, lab leaks – tracing SARS-CoV-2 to its origins involves more than just tracking down patient zero.

Sustained surveillance for disease outbreaks at global hot spots may be the key to preventing the next pandemic. MR.Cole_Photographer/Getty Images

June 1, 2021

The next pandemic is already happening – targeted disease surveillance can help prevent it

Maureen Miller, Columbia University

A more coordinated effort by scientists, stakeholders and community members will be required to stop the next deadly virus that’s already circulating in our midst.

Sequencing the genetic code of virus samples taken from COVID-19 patients reveals how SARS-CoV-2 is spreading and changing. Nate Langer/UPMC

March 31, 2021

Genomic surveillance: What it is and why we need more of it to track coronavirus variants and help end the COVID-19 pandemic

Alexander Sundermann, University of Pittsburgh; Lee Harrison, University of Pittsburgh, and Vaughn Cooper, University of Pittsburgh

The US lags in testing coronavirus samples from COVID-19 patients, which can help track the spread of the virus and the emergence of new variants. But labs are ramping up this crucial surveillance.

August 21, 2020

Genome sequencing tells us the Auckland outbreak is a single cluster — except for one case

David Welch, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Genetic analysis of virus samples from New Zealand’s latest COVID-19 cases is now much swifter. It’s providing key information, but hasn’t yet answered the question of where this second wave started.

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