Genome Variation Gives Insight Into Coronavirus Spread
As SARS-CoV-2 has spread around the world, its transmission rate has varied alongside variations in its genome, according to researchers at the University of California, Davis. Surveillance of the virus genome may help public authorities target areas about to experience an upsurge of infection.
“What we’re trying to do is establish if genomic variation in the virus is predictive of changes in infectivity,” said Bart Weimer, professor of population health and reproduction at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. A preprint describing the work is available online, and the paper has been submitted for publication.