Sequencing and release of the SARS-CoV-2 genome
Secuenciación y publicación del genoma del SARS-CoV-2
- Date
- enero de 2020 · confidence high
- Place
- Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Credited to
- Zhang Yongzhen (Fudan) and colleagues; Shi Zhengli (Wuhan)
- People
- 👤 Shi Zhengli1964–👤 Zhang Yongzhen1965–
- Field
- Life & health
What was discovered
On 11 January 2020 the complete sequence of the new coronavirus was published, enabling PCR tests and vaccines to be designed within weeks. It identified the agent of COVID-19 as a betacoronavirus related to bat coronaviruses.
The origin of the virus remains a subject of research and controversy.
What it led to
- specific diagnostic PCR tests
- design of messenger RNA vaccines